PPM loses candidate as clock ticks on Nomination Day
(CNS): The Progressives party has lost one of the new candidates it was hoping to field on Election Day. With just eleven days to go before Nomination Day, when all candidates must declare their intention to run, Josh Parsons is stepping away from the political fray, leaving the party with just seven candidates.
Parsons was slated to run in Savannah against Heather Bodden, the TCCP incumbent. Unless another candidate comes forward, she will now be running unopposed, giving the party a sure win in two constituencies since TCCP Leader André Ebanks
André Ebanks (WBS incumbent) is the leader of The Caymanian Community Party. He has served as financial services minister 2021-2024, and deputy premier 2023-2024. More also, at this point, has no rivals for his seat.
Party officials said Parsons is stepping down due to unexpected obligations and personal commitments. No other details were revealed about his sudden exit from the race, but the PPM said he remains a strong supporter of the party and its vision for Cayman.
The news comes against the backdrop of a new CNS straw poll asking readers who they want as premier. After more than 1,500 votes were cast in the first 24 hours after it was posted Wednesday, Progressives Leader Joey Hew
Joey 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 was trailing the current favourite, Ebanks, by more than seven points and newcomer Dan Scott
Dan Scott (CBE candidate) is the leader of the Cayman Islands National Party. He was EY regional manager until his retirement in June 2023. More, the leader of the CINP, by five points.
Despite being the oldest existing party, with the withdrawal of Parsons, the Progressives currently have only seven candidates in their bid for government across 19 seats. While several more are expected to be unveiled on or before 1 March at the party’s conference, in order to secure an outright majority, they must win ten seats to avoid backroom horsetrading, which did not go well for the Progressives in 2021.
At the moment, of the incumbents, Dwayne Seymour is the most likely to join the PPM, either as a party member or in some form of alliance. While Hew has made a very public overture to Kenneth Bryan to join them, he has not yet accepted their invitation.
Chris Saunders has said the PPM is the party he would most likely support to form a government on 1 May, but has made it clear he will not be joining the party. Meanwhile, it is likely that Bryan and Saunders will form an independent alliance with Jay Ebanks and Isaac Rankin to campaign in this election season.
As it remains unlikely that any single group will win ten seats on 1 May, given that the CINP is the only party that has unveiled more than ten candidates, the remnants of the UPM, including McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (WBW incumbent) is the longest-serving member of parliament (the “Father of the House”), having represented West Bay continuously for three decades. More, could still prove to be kingmakers in the post-election, closed-door bartering for positions of power in exchange for propping up the next government and once again leading to a possible clash of policy positions.
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
Change writes: Every constituency has the same issue when their MP becomes a minister. It is not that they stop caring about their area, but Cabinet members have no choice but to tackle issues at national level, and that takes budget, meetings, reports, travel, conference calls, sitting with lawyers to streamline bills and laws — all […]
Cola Kenny has truly lost his tiny mind now, asking the complete failure that is JuJu to run again? Yeah, lets bankrupt the country you coke dealing fraud.
Come on now folks let get rid of this ding dong politician who loves to undermine others .especially their own people.
Kenneth Bryan, you were fired by Sir Alden for disclosing the party business to McKeeva Bush so it’s no wonder he stood by you, as you said on the Record this morning. You will do anything so you will be premier and McKeeva the speaker.
Looks like even PPMers can’t relate to Fancy Pants Joey. Joey comes up short again.
Someone call Captain Eugene – he will sort her out
does he have to return the new car?
Great news. Leon Gould need to follow behind him now!!!! #NoThankYou
Savannah, Bodden Town East/West, GT North and West Bay West desperately need strong contenders.
GOOD! There should be no place for the PPM or any MAC allies in Cayman’s future. They have done enough damage.
WOW I didn’t see this one coming, really shocking!
Sigh … I guess we need another election cycle for Cayman to understand that party politics is the only way to go. The current 3 political parties (unless I speak to soon), by not fielding a candidate in every single district, is just not up to the task of leading.
Come on young Caymanians someone please step against this entrenched political stooge holding this current political office who does absolutely nothing but look out for her family and friends.
Sadly years of corrupt practices have made politics a cess pit. It takes a strong stomach and a strong will for any honest person to even consider standing for election.
No match for word of mouth’s favorite candidate and in-law Feather Bodden who’s scornfulness towards lesser or common people is only match with the level of nepotism in favor of family and friends
Glad you see it, Heather and Mario what a combo
We desperately need someone to step up against the fakest candidate in Cayman Who is totally out of touch with reality and is silly as they get and only stands up for the white rich !
Who?