Frankenstein’s monster of Caymanian politics
Unbought Caymanian writes: It’s official — Cayman’s political merry-go-round has taken yet another spin, and we’re right back where we started. The Progressives (PPM), once seen as a somewhat steady hand, have now thrown caution, credibility, and any remaining standards out the window.
The recent news that Kenneth Bryan, Dwayne “John John” Seymour, and, if the rumours hold true, even Juliana O’Connor-Connolly have now joined the PPM speaks volumes.
It’s like watching old puzzle pieces forced into a mismatched picture, and somehow, it’s still the same broken image we’ve been staring at for decades.
With Moses, Sir Alden, Barbara and David all stepping down, it’s clear the PPM is scraping the bottom of the barrel. What’s left is a Frankenstein’s monster of Caymanian politics — a patchwork of political leftovers glued together not by shared principles or a vision for the future but by desperation and self-interest.
This is not a new dawn for Cayman. It’s the same tired playbook: power at any cost, integrity be damned. Caymanians were promised change, yet here we are — watching politicians recycle themselves in a bid to hold onto influence, regardless of who gets trampled in the process.
The rot goes deeper. The wealthy few still call the shots behind closed doors. Decisions that should be made for the long-term benefit of the country will surely be sacrificed at the altar of short-term political gain. Just look at the National Conservation Act (NCA) — if this version of the PPM gains control, there’s little doubt it will be gutted to appease developers and wealthy backers, putting profits over the environment and the well-being of future generations.
It’s a betrayal, plain and simple.
We deserve better. Cayman deserves leaders who value transparency, integrity and long-term planning — not a “Frankenstein’s monster” willing to sell the soul of the nation for self-gain and a few more years in power.
But here we are. Same faces. Same backroom deals. Same old politics. And Cayman pays the price.
So, where do we go from here? Do we risk it all on Dan’s national party — a rag-tag group with no experience and a concerning concentration of power? Or bet on independents who lack the unity needed to govern effectively? Then there’s the TCCP, a new party that, at the very least, has gone on record pledging not to amend the NCA and has committed to pursuing the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for the East-West Arterial (EWA) extension.
Whatever the choice, one thing is certain: Cayman can’t afford more of the same. It’s time to break the cycle — and that starts with not handing power back to the PPM.
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Category: Viewpoint
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 […]
I wouldn’t be surprised PPM fails to win a seat this go around. This was a dumb move to aligned with these big money spenders.
The general tone of responses to this Viewpoint and other political articles, suggests the majority wants major change.
Let’s see how the polls go. We’re known for flapping our gums, let’s see some real action voters!
Joey hasn’t learnt from Wayne’ painful lesson, has he?
With Wayne, it was his ego that made him think he could control that group of mercenaries. With Joey, it’s his stupidity.
We may as well try the new thing, the old thing hasn’t worked and won’t change. And frankly, it can’t be any worse.
if we’re not careful, simply because the UK relies substantially on our financial system, direct rule will be forced upon us. We are the bank of england in all but name.
The Bank of England is all but name! Because we set interest rates for the UK banking sector, regulate it, and print the currency? And the UK doesn’t rely on our financial system. Nor does anyone else – the tax free structures our financial services provides are duplicated by a lot of other jurisdictions, and if Cayman disappeared tomorrow BVI or one of the others would just take over. The UK is concerned about our financial integrity because there is an implicit guarantee that they would have to bail us out if we go rogue or bust, that’s the extent of their concern. But you are right about direct rule – we start to look too corrupt, or risk the UK having to stump up funds to assist us, and direct rule will be an option.
This is what happens when you have parties that not formed based on principles, rather access to power.
ppm…complete idiots…all they had to do was pretend to have some morals and backbone for a few months and they would be the next government…..but they have blown it now and their true colours are on show for all to see.
Sadly another rant by JM, who for some reason has a hate for Joey and the PPM. For all of you that think you are smarter than the candidates (at least you say you are my your comments. Do tell us why all of you smarties don’t step up and run. There needs to be educated and capable people that are willing to step forward and run this country. I guess you don’t want to be torn down, lied and gossiped about, asked for money, subjected to unnecessary sandal, and all the rest of the glamorous things that come with entering politics. Think about it bullies!
I’m not eligible, but thanks.
Also, I’m not a convicted criminal with involvement in the drugs trade, or violence against women. Nor am I a homophobe living in the past. Yes, we have some real idiots in, and hoping to be in, government.
I would love too, but as a first generation immigrant I may be qualified to vote, have a masters in Economics and have worked in government ministries in 4 countries, but I cant run for office whereas the likes of Jon Jon, who cant manage to drive home without hitting inanimate objects or string a sentence together, or Kenny with a conviction for dealing coke, or Mac for that matter, can. And when multi generational Caymanians with business experience, who have made their money through their own efforts and are hopefully more immune to the financial temptations on offer, run people like you slap them down.
You left out Frankenstein creator in his lab in West Bay bush thus underestimating his control over his political creation! Only to see him rise yet again to shock and destroy or wreck any political alliance he deems unfriendly to his power and agenda. the END
JuJu has been PPM, UDP, UPM, FUB (B for Brackers), FUA (A for all), and will “Run JuJu Run” if the Lord calls her to. She just has to wait for a sign if it’s to be PPM or JJP, aka JuJU’s Party.
The sign will be whichever party can master a majority and is prepared to give her a ministry.
Add WD40 too , which is why she so slippery.
Julie Ken Mac and Saunders will orchestrate Joey’s removal . Dumdum will sit in the background grinning and will wait, with Jay to be told what to do to keep his snout in the trough.
Decent people like Andre Dan and Roy will shake their heads, as Cayman weeps.
If the FCO step in to impose fiscal discipline, “Colonial Imperialism” will be squealed , and Saunders will lead the charge towards his dream of Independence.
Vote with your brain in gear and eyes open to what these losers are after.
Cayman has grown and who has benefitted?
I’ll risk my vote with inexperienced brothers and sisters with good intent over those we already know might be really great at playing politics and saying the right thing but haven’t done anything to make Cayman a sustainable place to live.
Those ‘experienced’ have destroyed Cayman over so many years. That is,why McLaughlin et al pushing on the ‘experience’, so obvious! Better find some with integrity, education and honesty and hopefully improvement. Anybody can and have learnt on the job…except these rattling vessels have learnt nothing beyond their own pockets and nastiness.
So the other choices are a party with zero experience whose leader wants to sell off/privatize governmental ops and another party formed by raiding the pockets of its quasi leader. Oh well.
exactly. so not a real choice.
To 1:47 pm: Dan Scott DID NOT write the report that recommended privatizing government assets. It was done by an overseas consultant group hired by the administration of that time.
CNS: For clarity, see here.
complete lies.
General oversight of the report was provided by Dan Scott (relationship assessment and service quality), who was EY Managing Partner – Financial Services at the time, and Rohan Small (coordinating partner), both from the Cayman Islands office.
The writer could easily have written similar nonsense about every party/group casing its net this next election. But they chose to roast the party with the longest history as a party, a party that has fallen apart and is doing it best to regroup after the last election and recent retirements. The PPM heard the people’s voice in the last election and has taken action….last election a rag-tag bunch of independents ran then formed coalitions on nothing except blind ambition and the need to be drunk with power. Most of this past term has been a disaster as a result.
CNS: I deleted your first sentence because, as always, we publish viewpoints sent to us if they make a clear point and are well written. If you want to put forward a different opinion, write a Viewpoint yourself and send it to us for consideration.
smh. the PPM has chosen to partner with the most rag-tag of them all in Kenny and John John!!!
hahaha… ‘taken action’ by joining with those two?
they cast their net reeeeaaaallly wide!
that’s the point this writer is making – as I am sure you can see.
You mean the same rag tag independents that are making up the new PPM and saying stay away from the new comers, the same status they had only a term ago??
But the lot of dem about to realize they signed up to a poison party…. They were duped. But they got their deserves. Watch if that either doesn’t completely fall apart or at least a few of them jump ship again…
That original comment says a lot. That is true Mac speak….
“Sit down and shut up boy…. You new here and don’t know how this works…”
I guess he had no choice, half their existing MP’s didn’t want to run again, they couldn’t attract any decent new candidates, so it was either time to turn off the lights on the Progressives or try this move.
Either way – it’s the end of the road for the PPM.
I hope that you are right. No rational person that cares about these Islands would vote PPM.
A sad day for the initial founders of the PPM.
joey is really stooping low this time around. would love to see the inevitable leadership fight with him, Julie and Ken Ken.
I would love to see them all go away. We will suffer if that lot are in a position to fight over power.
Yep 1.11…I reckon they’ll wait 6 months or so just to see if they’re comfortable in their assigned seats, then start agitating for more than they already have.
God will tell Juju what to do, “his people” will tell Kenny what they want, “Jamaicans” will tell Saunders, CHEC will tell Mac, and they will ALL tell Dumdum how high to jump.
Then it’s bye bye Joey.