‘Stop worrying about de gays’ says Elvis
(CNS): Elvis McKeever was given the debate floor on Thursday evening after the incumbent for Cayman Brac East and the current education minister, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, declined the invitation to attend the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum alongside her challenger. McKeever, attending via Zoom, took the opportunity to offer his support to the gay community, in stark contrast to his opponent, who has fought relentlessly against gay rights.
“Stop worrying about de gays, De gays not doing anything,” he said, as he pointed out that society’s ills were fuelled more by irresponsible fathers that anyone in the LGBT community.
While he is campaigning with the slogan of ‘No Weed, No vote’, given his strong advocacy for the legalisation of the use and commercial cultivation of ganja, McKeever outlined a wider green agenda.
He also tackled issues such as the management of the insurance sector, greening Cayman Brac’s economy, the possibility of a marina development to fuel sports fishing tourism that does not impact the environment, and the more controversial proposal of a casino.
McKeever said that any claim that cruise ships could boost the Brac’s tourism sector was a myth for a number of reasons, not least the island’s geographical position, and urged a focus on the things that would expand its overnight visitor numbers instead. He said the legalisation of ganja and gambling could have a massive positive impact and fuel the growth of the island’s economy.
Demonstrating a clear awareness of the numerous challenges facing Caymanians, McKeever made it clear that his policy platform goes beyond the ganja issue. But he also made it clear that he would only work to form a government with people who supported that policy position.
Spelling out his position on ganja, McKeever said he did not want to see just the decriminalisation of marijuana but wanted the country to go well beyond that. “I want to see full legalisation for adult recreational purposes,” he said, describing a commercial environment where it is properly licensed.
To pay back those who have suffered and were punished for its use, and to ensure that big business is kept out of the potential future sector, local Caymanians must control the cultivation and commercial operations, he said.
Already ploughing his own election furrow by contrasting sharply with his opponent on ganja, gambling and greening the economy, McKeever also offered an entirely opposition position to O’Connor-Connolly on the Civil Partnership Law. He said he did not believe God had anything to say about it because man wrote the Bible, he said, as he offered his support for the right to marry.
“The sad part about it is I never heard about no gay person robbing nobody. Dey working, dey building their houses, driving their cars, they’re spending their money, dey minding dey own business but everybody is running them down,” he said.
“I’d rather see gays married as they not running down societies like wutless fathers,” he added, and went on to criticise men who father children with numerous women and fail to take responsibility for them. “Stop worrying about de gays; de gays not doing anything,” he added.
McKeever also called out all of the government members for taking “the cowards way out” by calling an early election because they were afraid to demand that McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (CDP), West Bay West MLA Speaker of the LA, Leader of the Cayman Democratic Party. Biography: Bush is the longest serving member and... step down as speaker.
He said he was looking forward to represent the people of CBE but recognised that it would not be easy. While a lot of people had given up on him over the years, he had not given up on himself, he said, and he still looks for the good in everyone. He said he was looking for the good in the people of CBE, as he asked for their support.
“I will be a good representative,” he said. “I will represent you with honesty… and integrity to the best of my ability. Please support me. I need your vote and Elvis McKeever will not let you down.”
O’Connor-Connolly, who did not attend the debate because she said she had another engagement, may not be taking her challenger seriously, but McKeever made it clear that he is a serious contender.
In 2017 the incumbent took 55% of the vote in CBE, which in the smallest district in the Cayman Islands was just 225 votes. But with a slight increase in registered voters since then, even if McKeever cannot convert a single vote from O’Connor Connolly, a full turnout still gives him a road to Parliament.
Watch the CBE forum on the Chamber YouTube channel below:
Category: Election News
