Hew drags governor into his election campaign

| 10/03/2021
Picture on Hew’s social media during his campaign includes the governor

(CNS): Joey Hew has been using pictures of himself on social media in such a way as to make it look as if Governor Martyn Roper was campaigning with and endorsing him, which has sparked an election scandal for the George Town North incumbent. The commerce and infrastructure minister is already in a tight head-to-head race with Johann Moxam, who, although a newcomer to the political hustings, is no stranger to campaigning or political activism.

As part of his campaign, Hew posted pictures this week on his social media accounts showing himself and the governor visiting elderly members of the community but failed to make it clear that these images were taken more than a year and a half ago while using them to his obvious advantage.

After the image was shared on social media, Moxam wrote to the governor about the use of the images and raised the wider problem of incumbent government MPs using the trappings of the public service to enhance their own campaigns.

Roper has said the photo sent to him was at least 18 months old from a visit to senior citizens in George Town and he had offered to do similar visits with all the MPs, including the opposition. “I can assure you that I attach the highest importance to my neutrality and impartiality at all times but especially during an election campaign,” Roper told Moxam.

Moxam said he was neither offended nor bothered by the use of Roper’s image but noted that it should not be happening, especially when civil servants are under extremely tight restrictions when it comes to any kind of involvement with political campaigns.

“Hew obviously needs the image of support and positive acknowledgment by the governor during these trying times because he has been mired in numerous scandals as a minister due to his consistent inability to speak the truth on any subject due to ‘miscommunication’, incompetence and other shortcomings in his life and political career,” Moxam said of his opponent.

Hew’s challenger said he was certain that the PPM had not asked Roper to be involved or asked his permission in this or any political marketing campaign, given what should be his neutral role and his remit of good governance, safety and security issues, which definitely does not include local political matters.

But Moxam told CNS that he was also concerned about the general potential abuse of office by the coalition members, who use government services and property “as props on the campaign trail”.

He accused Premier Alden McLaughlin of using senior civil servants to present his plans for work in his constituency during a political campaign meeting with constituents. And he pointed out that government MPs have access to public roads to erect campaign signs that other candidates are denied.

Moxam said he had asked the governor to address these issues publicly so the incumbents understand the rules and stop abusing their positions in the interest of good governance.

The governor said in a direct response to Moxam, but not yet in a public forum, that he had already spoken to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson about looking into the allegations of misuse of the public service as a matter of urgency and take whatever action is required, as Roper said the civil service must also remain neutral and impartial.

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Comments (26)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    What this photo shows is that Min. Hew was in the community 18 months ago and not just now starting to show up to meet constituents for the first time. That’s authentic dedication to the community, not last minute campaigning.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Hew spending real money now in the community because he knows his days are numbered. Vote him out Cayman he is a disgrace selling out the country

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  2. Goring Avenue Sand Pirates says:

    Star Power$$$$$$ Cayman They think we are all prostitutes! show them you are not 14th April 2021 Vote this Rinky Dink Regime OUT! If you don’t your children will be next!

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Hmmmm … And I understand Joey defended LIQUOR profits over other principle things.

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  4. ppm Distress Signal says:

    Draggggg Huh da wha you tink!He damn well knows who butters his bread!Poor Johan you cant fight the SYSTEM bro!

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  5. Anonymous says:

    The time is here to drain the swamp and get rid of joey the joker and ppm

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  6. GT voter says:

    #STAYWOKE🇰🇾 in 2021 there is only one choice for GTN Johann Moxam

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    • Anonymous says:

      Stay woke? Are you 12?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Maybe they are? There are younger people on this website too. And if they’re smart enough to recognize that Johann is a much better candidate than Joey then I respect them for that. It’s sad when kids are smarter than most adults on this island.

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        • Anonymous says:

          #JOEYWHO is a political prostitute that we have to vote out in order to safe Cayman from becoming Dart Islands. He works for them and is controlled by them.

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          • Anonymous says:

            12.04pm How mean and rude. Can we expect more of this from Johann’s supporters? Wow

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    • Anonymous says:

      That’s Johann trying to stay woke because while he was sleeping and nowhere to be found, Joey has been awake and doing the work of the people. So wake up Johann and try to “stay woke”.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Joey Who being awake and drinking champagne on a yacht in Monaco doesn’t count.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    My family and I will never give Mr. Hew another vote again he is a massive disappointment.

    Mr. Moxam thanks for giving our family a quality choice to vote for in 2021

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Let’s give Joey Hew his severance payment and send the likes of him packing on Election Day.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Poor Joey looking really desperate if he has to do this type of bogus marketing!

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  10. Anonymous says:

    seems to me that is Johann that’s dragged in the Governor.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    This is disgraceful another reason why we have to vote the ppm and joey at the polls

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Go Dexter go, from a Bracker

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  13. Anonymous says:

    No matter if Joey is not re-elected, the Darts will still have their forever honorable to do their bidding.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    More like a mercy indulgence in respect to Hew’s fizzle-out of public life next month. The PPM might be wearing the fancy wristwatches, but I’d give the Gov credit for knowing what time it is.

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  15. UnCivil Servant says:

    Governor Roper has to do better and not allow this sort of nonsense. This is cannot be accepted yet he talks about his impartiality and the civil service to remain neutral.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Different rules for different people in Franz’s world class civil service I glad Moxam exposed the double standards they always use

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  17. anonymous says:

    Typical PPM bullshit always trying to insult the public’s intelligence. Joey Hew would sell his kids to get reelected and do and say whatever it takes. Roper knows better. This is disgraceful

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  18. Dexter Layman Ebanks says:

    Hello Folks = Don’t give Joey a hard time just give him hell for using that photo to gain political point in his campaign
    For Clarity I was at the Ground Breaking of the Seafarer Park in George Town a couple of weeks ago = and Joey Hew was wearing a Leg Brace and Crutches =
    The above photo he’s not doing so =
    This tells us all that some politicians will stoop at any level to gain points on their political trail =
    I know these wonderful Ladies in the above photo and they would never given him permission to print that photo =
    I don’t know the mind of Governor Roper but I honestly feel he would never given Joey Hew permission to print that photo
    Food for thought – God made darkness and didn’t like it so he made light
    I am not afraid to print my name and I do so with no fair or apologies to anyone
    Dexter Layman Ebanks

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  19. Anonymous says:

    PPM in action.. it’s against the law when somebody’s else does it but always fine for them.

    Have to say though using civil servants has been a long standing thing for Alden. Remember the Port meetings a d radio/tv advertisements. I can tell you those civil servants had no choice.

    Joey is just following in his leader’s footsteps but try to push the envelope by using the Governor.

    This is what you call desperation on the PPM’s part. I think this time around though most people will see right through these fake politicians.

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