Hew urges Bryan to join Progressives in 2025 campaign


(CNS): PPM Leader Joey HewJoey Hew (GTN incumbent) is the leader of the PPM (aka Progressives). He served as opposition leader from October 2024 until the dissolution of parliament. More made an unequivocal entreaty to Kenneth Bryan on Friday to join the Progressives team. Bryan, who began his political career with the party, has been very complimentary about its members in recent weeks, dropping heavy hints about joining forces, but he has not confirmed either way his intentions for 2025. As MPs made their swan songs for this term, the issue of who was running and where was still in question for several of them.
The last four years have shown that a Cabinet made up of MPs who didn’t run on common policies creates significant problems — something none of those running for re-election seem keen to repeat. As a result, questions about who is aligning with which party or group will likely play a key role in this election.
This means that voters should be able to vote on the basis of which team is most likely to be able to roll out the policies that will deliver the outcomes they are most concerned about.
As the oldest existing party in the Cayman Islands, the PPM’s policies are well known, and the electorate knows that a vote for a PPM candidate is a vote for Hew as premier — and Hew was very clear that he wants Bryan in his team.
The Progressives are losing four members with well over 60 years of collective experience this election cycle, which means that Bryan’s political capital has increased, having spent four years in opposition and another four as a minister.
As Hew thanked the UPM government, which contains several members who have previously served with the PPM, he saved the most flattery for Bryan, who has beaten PPM candidates running against him in the last two elections.
“It has not gone unnoticed the tremendous maturity and the loyalty he has displayed in his commitment to his government and, most importantly, to the people he has served… As tumultuous and challenging as the political landscape has been the… deputy premier has shown a steadfast dedication to his principles… and for the welfare of his constituents. Many may criticise his style, and I see many have taken aim at him,” Hew said.
The Progressives leader suggested that some of the new groups were trying to oust Bryan, in particular, from office, though at this point, only the CINP is fielding a candidate against him. Continuing with his praise, Hew commended him for “his unwavering commitment to his people” and for being a voice for those often written off by society.
As he spoke about Bryan’s political story so far, he said he hoped that his story would continue to be written. “If he wishes, we in the PPM would be happy to be a part of that next chapter,” Hew said as he made the very public invitation.
Bryan has successfully run for office twice as an independent candidate in George Town Central, and he has not yet said who he intends to align with on the campaign trail, despite dropping hints that he sees the Progressives as sharing similar policy positions. In response to the very overt invitation from Hew, Bryan said he was very grateful and would speak to his committee but gave no commitment either way.
He said he had learned a lot over the last eight years and made it clear he is confident of returning to reform healthcare and immigration and get the development plan completed. He said this had to be a priority for the next government, which he hoped to be a part of.
However, he said that over the years, his respect for the party he was a part of in his early political career had grown.
“I am so elated to hear from the leader of the opposition and his kind words to me, offering me an opportunity to be part of the Progressives,” Bryan said. “I thank him because it takes a level of respect for one another to publicly say that without even knowing whether I would accept. He has put himself out there on a limb to ask me to partner with the Progressives.”
He added, “I will definitely be speaking to my people about that because I am no fool.” Bryan said people are looking for stability and want to see who is going to be standing with whom, adding that he respected the request.
Bryan’s UPM colleague, Dwayne Seymour, has also been dropping heavy hints about running on the PPM platform, but he did not confirm his intention to do so as he gave his end-of-term speech. He served with the PPM in both its coalition governments and began this latest term as a member of the opposition with them before he joined PACT.
Seymour made it very clear he would be running for office in his constituency of Bodden Town East, now the second-largest district in the country. At this point, no one else has declared that they are running against him.
See MPs making their final address for this term on CIGTV below:
Check out the CNS Election Section interactive map to see who is running in each constituency.
See the list of candidates and their party affiliations here.
Category: Election News
Don’t join the PPM Mr. Bryan – they don’t want you, they NEED you! They know very well they don’t have anyone to field against you in GTC that has any real chance!
And GTC, do not forget how the last PPM candidate for GTC made his opinion of people from a a lesser background than him very well known during his radio cayman interview.
The Adeptus Ridiculous Declares: Political Alliances in Cayman – A Dance of Convenience Over Conviction
Ah, the ever-entertaining theater of Caymanian politics! Where today’s adversaries become tomorrow’s allies, and principles are as fluid as the Caribbean tides.
Joey Hew, leader of the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), extends a public invitation to Kenneth Bryan to join their ranks for the 2025 campaign. Bryan, who once began his political journey with the PPM, has been independent since, even defeating PPM candidates in consecutive elections. Yet now, as the political winds shift, overtures are made, and past rivalries are conveniently forgotten.
The Adeptus Ridiculous observes:
• Political Expediency Over Ideological Consistency: The eagerness to form alliances, regardless of past conflicts or differing platforms, underscores a prioritization of power consolidation over genuine policy alignment.
• Voter Disillusionment: Such maneuvers risk eroding public trust, as constituents witness politicians shifting allegiances with little regard for consistency or accountability.
• The Illusion of Stability: While these alliances are often presented as efforts to ensure stable governance, they may instead reflect a deeper instability within the political framework, where personal ambitions overshadow collective progress.
In this grand performance, the actors change roles, but the script remains the same. The Adeptus Ridiculous awaits the next act with measured skepticism, ever aware that in the theater of politics, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Experience over experiment they say, so they want someone experienced in drug dealing more than being a politician?
RIP to the PPM. Their new recruits were scraping the barrel, but they just hit a new low. It’s over for them.
Yes. They’re now courting Saunders
Dan’s party has a candidate running against Kenneth. I hear Wayne’s party is announcing a candidate very soon.
It is strategical for PPM to approach Kenneth.
Kenneth did not quit his country that would have resulted in a snap election. If a snap election occurred the people would have been cheated out of getting to know new candidates and new parties would have struggled to form.
There will never be a party where all individuals are liked.
We have seen independents cant work together. It was PPM’s political maturity and experience that held this country together during the Covid 19 pandemic and this last administration’s failures to work together.
You forgot to mention that it was also the PPM, under Premier Alden, that were trying to ruin our country before the COVID pandemic:
3 schools at 100million per school paid to PPM Supporter
700million Cruise Berth proposal led by PPM and Kirkconnell family and Wight family with no guarantee of increased level of customers – a project that every Caymanian would be paying for even after they are dead.
Alden chairing a committee, with his high powered OBE lawyers and airline pilots, that was trying to drastically weaken the National Conservation law
If PPM are going to try to be truthful, then you need to own the crap you did as well. And there is more crap too
The PPM had Hon. Marco Archer run against Kenneth Bryan for GTC in 2017, causing Hon. Archer to lose his seat , thereby the territory lost the services of a competent and prudent politician
Whatever happened to Marco? Why isn’t he in the running now?
He has a kosher job Chief Executive Officer of the CI Stock Exchange. Way better than being an MP!
Ppm as bad in opposition as they were in power….shameful stuff from joey and ppm in last few weeks.
I see the Dan Wayne bots have been busy today
PPM has grown used to being the only show in town. For all the crying they did about independents they love that they could stand aside and be seen as the only true party. Now between Andres TCCP being framed as the grass roots party for the forgotten man and Dan Scots CNP being a massive juggernaut with a huge slate of candidates they are running scared trying to get enough members to cling onto power.
Power at any price – even a hybrid UDP/UPM/PPM cobbled together band of incompetents and sellouts – Joey wants power and will do anything to get it – even sign up Bryan, Seymour, Mac and anyone else that gets him a step closer to power.
No, they have not lost their mind with wanting to side with Kenneth. Their thinking is, and has always been, to choose a candidate regardless of background, education or experience, and hope that they win.
After all the arguing that PPM and Kenneth have had over the years, they are now looking to join with him?
PPM are really desperate, and feel very threatened in this election because or their reputation for being the bought and paid for party
Aligning with Kenny smells of aligning with MAC. YUCK! Kenny needs to go!
Aligning with Mac and Kenny brings on board Saunders …and the downward spiral will gain momentum towards their dream of independence.
Excuse me while I lose my breakfast
Between Mac encouraging Juju to run again, when the Brac wants her gone; Saunders spewing testosterone against Scott while in parliament — wasted time paid by us; Seymour stating that he plans to run again (please, someone other than Ozzie take this up!); and this display of poli-tricks, our islands are really doomed.
Please! I beg professional, non corrupt, analytical Caymanians with decency and integrity and the will to really turn the good ship Cayman around, to run against this disgraceful bunch. I think Sir Alden retired once he realized how truly low the PPM has fallen in public opinion.
𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 (𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐣@𝐧𝐞𝐬) 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐏𝐌 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 … 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬.
CNS: I don’t know how you managed it, but I could not remove the formatting in this comment – I tried all the usual ways. There was no problem with your other comment.
Sorry about that, CNS. Was not my intention.
CNS: No problem!
I can see the new Cabinet:
Joey as emperor, Bryan his deputy and drug czar, John-John as Minister in charge of public speaking and driving into immobile objects, Mac as Minister for Women’s Affairs, casinos licensing, port contracts and other ‘consultations’, Saunders as Minister for the importation of garrison culture, etc etc..
What could go wrong?
There it is – politics at its mercenary best. To hell with having quality Members of Parliament. The object is to get power to sell to special interests.
The yacht club and Vista Del Mar cocktail party gang looking to benefit from government projects….all Joey’s social circle now kissing up to him.
I normally do not get involved in elections beyond trying to vote for the best candidate. Because of this decision I am going to contact every voter I know to campaign to ensure that the PPM does not get back in!
PPM courting a convicted drug dealer who did nothing during the last four years but spend our money??!
Sure bought a whole heap of land…. Who’s the lucky realtor.?
Name three worthwhile things Kenny has done, for all the money he’s cost us. I’ll wait …
What has Kenny done during the last four years that merits him continuing in politics???
PPM have you lost your mind?!!!!
No, they have not lost their mind with wanting to side with Kenneth. Their thinking is, and has always been, to choose a candidate regardless of background, education or experience, and hope that they win.
After all the arguing that PPM and Kenneth have had over the years, they are now looking to join with him?
PPM are really desperate, and feel very threatened in this election because or their reputation for being the bought and paid for party
Self-admitted Stupid Boy Kenny says he is no fool and needs to talk to his constituents, but does anyone think for one second that they answer won’t be “Yes” to this “respectful” offer from the PPM? Speaking of respect, I have now lost every ounce of respect for every single member of the PPM, and that includes Roy.
How bad does your party chances have to be to invite Kenny to join? Will McKeeva be the next person invited to join the PPM? After he takes a dip in the Jordan River?
Same, same ole, go away, we tired of all your self indulgent blah, blah!
PPM just lost the 27 votes I control
Are PPM really that low and desperate that they have to kiss the backsides of a convicted drug dealer and an uneducated buffoon…?
This makes Scott’s group of decent and educated part members immediately preferable to Joey’s desperate attempts to gain power.
Clearly Bryan and Seymour will demand cabinet posts, thereby setting the scene for more years of political idiocy.
The answer is yes, they really are that low.
All it’s going to take is for PPM to embrace Saunders the snake, and I’m done as a supporter.
Saunders, Mac, Kenneth and Seymour each in their own way , are poisoning not only our politics, but our souls as Caymanians.