Local business leader backs PPM and party politics

| 10/04/2017
Cayman News Service

Don Seymour

(CNS Elections): One of Cayman’s leading homegrown businessmen who has enjoyed success in the offshore sector threw his backing behind the principle of the party system as well as the PPM when he gave the keynote address at the party conference Saturday. Don Seymour said he believed that the party system was the best way to ensure a stronger government. “No party system is perfect… but it’s better than where we were heading,” he claimed, saying he hoped people would come to that realisation this election.

Seymour, who owns the DMS group of companies, offered some insight into the struggle he had before he found success in the financial industry, and said that today he was “an eager investor” because the country was now on the right track. He said that four years ago he was very concerned that Cayman was looking into the abyss and on the brink of becoming a failed state, as he encouraged people to vote for those with integrity and courage.

Urging voters not to focus on form over substance, he said that “substance is a matter of leadership”, which he described as an invisible but powerful force that “you can only see by results… but you know when it’s not there”.

Seymour said Cayman had not been successful by accident. “Good results don’t happen by themselves… but because of good decisions made by good leaders,” he said, noting that one of the most important jobs of a good leader in politics was to trigger economic growth.

He spoke about his concerns over “the fake wars of bigotry and division”, but he warned that Cayman is 60,000 people crammed into one little catboat in the Caribbean sea and no one “should do anything crazy or tip it over”.

Seymour said he was disheartened by an emerging class warfare in which “poor people are being exploited for political purposes”. He pointed out that if previous politicians really cared about the people who worked hard to pay taxes, they would not waste money on failed projects and abusive government spending.

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Category: Campaigns, Political parties

Comments (35)

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  1. Lenard Whittaker says:

    I believe that Mr Seymour was not speaking as much to the Expat/Caymanian divide as he was to the introduction of ‘class” into the local political scene.There have been numerous instances when politicians or would be politicians have used the term ‘merchant class’ and ‘elitists’ ( in a derogatory manner I believe) when discussing the PPM.This is apparently intended to discredit successful Caymanian business owners and to turn ordinary persons against them. This was first noticed at the time of the One Man One Vote Referendum. It also appeared in the discussions about cruise berthing facilities when the Kirkconnells of Kirk Freeport shops were singled out, and has become increasingly more noticeable. I believe that this is the ‘fake war’ and ” an emerging class warfare in which “poor people are being exploited for political purposes” that Mr Seymour was talking about..

  2. Anonymous says:

    Seriously! Don Seymour was the keynote speaker at the party conference. Only the Compass or a complete idiot would not see that as political backing. Someone as politically astute as Don would not have appeared if he did not want to be seen as backing the PPM.

  3. Fair and Balanced says:

    Help me out here: CNS presumably went to the Progressives conference and wrote this article saying Mr Seymour “backs PPM” and, Cayman Compass reporter Brent Fuller went to the same conference and wrote that Mr Seymour did not endorse either of the two main political parties. Who is correct, CNS or Cayman Compass?

    The public needs to be very wary of what it believes from the media.

  4. Anonymous says:

    The PPM is looking really good in this election. I’m glad they support local and unlike the other party that seems to want to turn our islands into Jamaica. Nothing wrong with Jam but it’s just not us.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Thank you Don. I noted that the UDP main speaker was a Jamaican political….go figure. Which party is for Caymanians?

  6. Anonymous says:

    Ok, so the current government / PPM is throwing up Don as their hail-mary – interesting.

    Personally, the fact that Don is the “local boy” needle virtually lost in our haystack of tons of expats / PR holders of equal stature and wealth does not impress. If anything it is witness to the fact that our general approach to running the country is fundamentally flawed.

    This is by no means an attempt to take anything from Mr. Seymour’s achievements, however, some of us see the reality for what it is.

    (Although, I am a bit concerned by his rather idealistic perspective as illustrated by; “He spoke about his concerns over “the fake wars of bigotry and division”, but he warned that Cayman is 60,000 people crammed into one little catboat in the Caribbean sea and no one “should do anything crazy or tip it over”.”

    Where are you living Don? Can you not see the ground from up there? These “wars” and “division” are by no means fake. A simple review of the anonymous comment thread under any pro / positive Caymanian story or report is all the evidence required. Alternatively, allow me to take you to the house of my relatives where their beautiful and healthy 20 year old daughter, a high school graduate with associate degree credits, has been interviewing for 1.5 years but have only just managed to find a first job.
    You know as well as I do, this was never a concern when you or I left school. In light of the above, what do you think are the chances of she becoming the next you, Mr. Seymour?

    Interesting tidbit – my high school teacher actually brought you into our class as an example and role model for us to follow. Please do not lose your grasp of what is truly transpiring in our country … but I digress.)

    Furthermore, this suggests that the PPM / local government is still crippled by a myopic and narrow vision of what is important in the Cayman Islands.

    – Whodatis

    * (Necessary changes): Education. Vocational training. Expansion of “acceptable” career choices. Overhaul of economic valuation of modified career choices. Investment in our people. Consumer protection. Restriction of “starter jobs” to Caymanians only (in other words, not available to 30 year old, experienced, expat aka immigrant workers willing to work slave wages and submit to exploitation). Removal / gross reduction of the “3rd Industry” aka work permit fees.

    • Anonymous says:

      She needs to finish university. Associate degree credits are not going to get her anywhere.

      • Anonymous says:

        Umm, eff you, but also thank you for proving my point of the war being far from fake.

        Anyone that consciously pretends to not understand the wider point but takes the time to post a disparaging remark is a sad and hateful individual.

        You are a very ugly person.

        Sincerely,

        Whodatis

        • Anonymous says:

          But in the real world it is true. Cayman or anyone else in the world she won’t get anywhere without a full bachelors degree in a subject that the jurisdiction she lives in values. This is a global problem. It is simple economics. Eg in Cayman if she has a degree in languages/astronomy and there is no need for her services in Cayman, then equally she will have difficulty finding work. All degrees are not created equal especially an incomplete one.

          In the real world people travel to other places to find opportunity. It is what our forefathers did and it is why there are so many expats here. They travelled to find a place where they were considered more valuable. Our forefathers had no education and were able to support a family. One thing my father mentioned was that he worked hard and did jobs that many now would consider beneath him. A job is a job.

          She could waitress/bartend. I worked with a few Cayman lawyers that did that to pay their way through the local law school. I did it to make/save money for the down payment of my house.

          If she plans to stay in Cayman, she needs to network, to volunteer her time and finish her degree.

        • Anonymous says:

          i find it terrible that Who wishes to publicly state a fairly sensible point, receive a constructive comment and then resort to a 6 year old school yard response.

          The wider issue is that many disagree with your point.

          There is no war. Cayman is not divided by have and have not or expat and Caymanian. Cayman is divided by educated and uneducated/poorly educated. That is not the responsibility of the government. That is a parental responsibility.

          If I am so poor that I cannot afford to send my child to private school, so be it. However, I want more for my child so I ensure that whatever opportunities my child can have he/she takes advantage of all of them.

          As a parent I sacrifice everything to ensure that my child not only succeeds but is the best at something/anything. Has a trade/skill. That only comes with repetition.

          That sacrifice means not wasting the money on hair/nails/bar/outings/miami trips/women/man/expensive cars etc. True interest in the child. Showing up at school for all parent meetings. Speaking with the teachers. Googling what you don’t know. Signing up the child for big brother/big sister. Putting the child in community work with you and being an active part in their life.

          The government cannot give that to me and my offspring. I have decided that I want my children to be better than me, to have more than I had. That is my personal desire for my family.

          Is that what you want from Cayman government? It requires intensive social change. It won’t solve all your points. It will solve your issue with being angry that she didn’t finish her degree. Maybe you should guide her along better and make a sacrifice.

        • Anonymous says:

          (Sigh)
          See, this exchange perfectly demonstrates the divide that now exists in this country.

          Every Caymanian understands my usage of the term “first job”. Unfortunately, some CNS regulars misunderstood and rode of in the sunset of ignorance.

          Why would I insist that the young lady in question be awarded a job or career for which an undergraduate degree was a minimum prerequisite?

          (The girl is now working as an office assistant and that was the type of job for which she was interviewing for 1.5 years.)

          Anyway, I’m going to end this right here. The mere fact that so many were content to pounce upon a sidenote, albeit erroneously, speaks volumes.

          – Whodatis

          *P.S. There is a little challenge given to all immigrants in your home countries – they call it; integration.
          Some of you may wanna try it one day. Hopefully we will then avoid these mishaps going forward.

          • Anonymous says:

            If everyone else has a bachelors degree and she doesn’t then I would hire the individual with the bachelors degree for an entry level job office assistant or mailroom. I would rather overqualified and knowledgeable than under qualified and ruin my business.

          • Anonymous says:

            I expect my office assistant to have a bachelors degree. I expect the office assistant to write letters which requires a level of education and ability that the Cayman public education system cannot provide.

          • Anonymous says:

            Obviously not every Caymanian because I am Caymanian and your post and replies are drivel.

            A first job is anything you can get. No matter your qualifications. She has nothing that an employer is looking for therefore she experiences difficulty finding a job. Simple.

            Your comments seem to think career. But even the foot in the door for many places require a degree. Entry level jobs require a defeee now. Unlike the long ago days you mentioned. Those days are long gone.

            Are you 70?

          • Anonymous says:

            Don, are you seeing these posts?

            Thanks to all respondents for proving my position of the war being anything but fake.

            Anyway, this is where I get off this train.
            If anyone wishes to engage in dialogue regarding the actual meat and potatoes of my post, rather than bang to death a misinterpreted side-note, you are more than welcome.

            – Who

            P.S. I trust you all realise your kids will grow with a naturally rebellious attraction to the very group of people you so detest and disparage.
            Karma will take care of all of you and hit you where it hurts most.

            Until then …

            • Anonymous says:

              Who detests expats? Most of us are half ‘local’ half expat anyway. Otherwise it would be inbreeding.

              The ones that have parents interested in their future do not experience what you are speaking about.

              The issue is educated versus not. Ambition, perseverance, hardworking and grit that is what the older Caymanians are known to be.

              Your anti expat nonsense is what gave my mother all the problems she experienced in Cayman spanning over 40 years. Married to my father 50 years. Living away for the first 10 years of marriage. Moved to the Cayman Islands to make it their home. After all those years people like you never considered her local.

            • Anonymous says:

              Who you sound very much like a dictator. If someone does not agree with your opinion then in only your eyes their opinion which challenges yours is wrong.

              Many different people live on this island with many different opinions. Many locals have very different opinions even within a family.

              IMHO, your opinion is very old fashioned. It just doesn’t cater to the young educated Caymanian.

              • Anonymous says:

                We live in a Brexit and Trump world.

                Caymanians should act in accordance with the examples set by the most powerful countries – this has always been the advice.

                IMHO your opinion is flawed.

                – Who

                • Anonymous says:

                  “Who”, I hear you; truth is, there are tons of expats who get hired into entry level positions here on island who have zero qualifications and zero experience. I understand what you are saying and your point did not go unnoticed.

                  There are so many factors to consider in this employment debacle and your point is just one of many.

                  Companies prefer to hire an expat regardless of experience and qualifications because it’s easier to replace them. I.E work permits. They also prefer to train the expats over the locals….for various reasons from cultural differences to personality differences, though you won’t hear of these as they would be labeled as discrimination.

                  All in all, we have some serious socio-economical issues in Cayman and not one person is to blame, we are all to blame as a society and community.

                  Cayman is too small to turn a blind eye.

                  • Anonymous says:

                    (Sorry, just seeing your post.)

                    Thanks for the support and you are spot on with your observations as well.

                    The most dangerous aspect of this situation is its covert nature.

                    If the country continues along this path we will see social and political unrest as is the usual case, especially in the western world, where discrimination has always been the DNA thereof.

                    – Who

    • Anonymous says:

      Look he could care less as he already has his big bank account!

    • Anonymous says:

      You sure do complain a lot without anything constructive as a solution.

      I was taught in school and by my parents if you dare to present a complaint, at least give some thought to two solutions. It gets the conversation going.

      Anecdotal problems just stir the crazies.

  7. Anonymous says:

    The Party system is not a good idea, if the Party has negative intentions and only worry about themselves.

    • Anonymous says:

      A party is usually made up of many people with somewhat different ideas who work together for common causes. What I find truly disturbing is when a single person attempts to control the country by financing a large slate of candidates.
      When this same person holds quizzes at campaign meetings to give away cash prizes to select candidates then is become very close to influence buying.

      • Anonymous says:

        Please elaborate on what the last sentence is touching on. I haven’t heard about that one yet.

        • Anonymous says:

          Oh you mean the doctor’s cash for answers quiz. Easy way to give $500.00 to candidate while ignoring the first person who did answer correctly.

  8. Anonymous says:

    It was an awesome address. Very informative. I hope it will be available for all to see in due course.