McLaughlin confident of victory
PremierPremier of the Cayman Islands More Alden McLaughlinPremier of the Cayman Islands More on campaign trail
(CNS): With less than two weeks to go before Cayman goes to the polls, the premierPremier of the Cayman Islands More said that over the last few weeks he had become increasingly confident of victory for his party. As he presented the PPM manifesto to the press Thursday, still buoyed by what the Progressives saw as a very successful public meeting to launch the party agenda on Wednesday night, Alden McLaughlinPremier of the Cayman Islands More said his party was the only group that had demonstrated that it could keep the promises it made to the electorate.
McLaughlin said the Progressives team understands “what it takes to govern” and there was no real alternative to a PPM government.
“I am increasingly confident we will win the majority of seats and will be the next administration. There is no real alternative to us,” he said, as he spoke about the party’s chances in the 24 May poll where Cayman will be voting for the first time in single-member constituencies for just one candidate.
Although many of his team of 15 candidates face some very tight battles and some rank as outsiders in a first past the post political race, McLaughlin said no other group had the track record they had. Based on the message that the team was getting from the community, he said he was far more confident now than even one month ago that the Progressives would not only be in a position to lead a government but it would have enough seats to form a majority government.
Pointing to the manifesto, he said it set out the clear undertakings and commitment of the next PPM administration and what, after a successful four years in office, still had to be done. He said the last-minute arrival of the document was deliberate. McLaughlin said the PPM had been keen to see the independent candidates spell out their policies, proposals and how they would get anything done rather than avoid setting out their own stalls in order to criticise “or pick holes” in the Progressives’ proposed agenda.
“While independents are making promises to do this and that, there is only one team that has the numbers and ability …that is capable of leading the country for next four years,” McLaughlin stated as he pointed to his fifteen member team.
While the PPM has run a tight, organised campaign where all of the candidates have remained on message, for the first time voters will be choosing a single candidate from generally much shorter lists than were expected following the introduction of ‘one man, one vote’. Even though the Progressives have arguably emerged as the most clearly defined political party in Cayman since the evolution of the party system in 2001, the electorate is not yet sold on party politics.
Voters will be choosing one person in their specific district, and while they may prefer McLaughlin as party leader over Arden McLean or Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush, voters may not think about the impact their vote could have on the make-up of the entire government and who will be premierPremier of the Cayman Islands More when they choose their representative.
Across the nineteen constituencies the largest list of candidates is in George Town South, where there are five candidates on the ballot. Four constituencies have just two candidates competing, eight constituencies have three candidates and six constituencies have four contenders.
This means that each of the 15 PPM candidates will be dealing with variables that could undermine their chances of winning, even where the party itself or its leader remains popular, depending on their own individual popularity or that of their specific competitors.
Given this is Cayman’s first election in SMCs with OMOV and there are no independent professional opinion polls to reveal the likely outcome or how voters will make decisions, even the most confident politicians will be hard pressed to make an accurate prediction of which 19 men and women will be in confirmed in political office by the early hours of Thursday 25 May.
Category: Campaigns, Political parties
If he is basing his confidence on these comments , then it looks to be very low .
In Red Bay district, I see Doctor Frank McField more so than ever have a chance. Folk may say hes too black and may use a leg injury as a smear campaign against him.
But how I see Denniston looks like he will take away Alden’s votes, and this will cause Frank to rise.
It really looks like it. PPM may lose their party leader :))
typical of this man’s arrogance towards the regular person
Just a reminder to voters in Savannah and Newlands.A vote for Mr Eden is a vote for Arden McLea to be Premier; a vote for Al Suckoo , is a vote for Arden McLean foe Premier. Arden is a good representative but is too angry these days to be the calm and rational leader that we need.Not sure why Arden is angry, but he sure is .So remember a vote for any of these people(Al,Tony,Paul) is a vote for Arden to be Premier. Gilbert was reported as a part of that group and supported Arden at the first East End Meeting. Since then the Compass has reported that he is trying to distance himself from the group. My suggestion act as if he is still on Ardens side and don’t vote for him.Don’t do it .Arden is not ready for the top job.Too angry.
Anthony Eden (Savannah district) and Al Sukoo (Newlands) may very well get back in. One thing about these guys is the Christian Voting Block that supports their moral stance on issues like family and marriage. Alot of Christian folk in these districts, and Eden is somehow like McKeeva. He has always had loyal followers who puts in him back in :/
ppm have sat on their hands for 4 years….cayman cannot afford to that again……
That is a shallow unintelligent answer.
that is just absolutely untrue. things are so much better than they were before. just because the news isn’t full of scandal and outrageous nonsense does not mean they didn’t do anything. we have a balanced budget, Cayman is on sure footing and the economy is better. My vote is for PPM!
I may not be in love with the Progressives, but will be voting for the PPM candidate in my district (Lucille in Prospect). They are a steady hand, and I believe a vote for any other candidate would be a vote for chaos and confusion.
Sad but true
No just Sad
Austen = Talk and Ideas
Matthew = Action and Charity
But Lu Lu = The Same Ole Party
Prospect, choose wisely :))
Let’s not forget that Austin is a wife beater. He admitted his guilt. this is not a person we want in the LA. maybe the judge thought he had ‘suffered enough’ but some anger management sessions are not nearly enough to deal with a person that is capable of doing what he has done to that woman, and others.
Say what you like, a PPM government that has been honest and corruption scandal free is what I want for the next 4 years.
The timing of a manifesto becomes irrelevant if the FCO and overseas investors don’t trust you.
Ridiculous and cowardly to bring out a manifesto with less than two weeks to the election. While the PPM may think it is brilliant political tactics others will see through this. The manifesto is a highlight of other Candidate’s position. PPM has overlooked the fact that the people of Cayman are not easily fooled. This late strategy shows their lacking on many things and this will backfire on them.