JOCC shelves retirement, returns to PPM
(CNS): Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, the premier in the outgoing government, has finally confirmed that she is not retiring and has answered the “call of her people” to run for office yet again, having rejoined the PPM fold. Party Chair Sir Alden McLaughlin announced her return to the hustings at the Progressives’ conference Saturday night, saying that she had made her decision just that morning, and O’Connor-Connolly confirmed her much anticipated candidacy in an audio message from Cayman Brac.
In another announcement, the audience heard that Kenneth Bryan
Kenneth Bryan (GTC incumbent) is deputy premier and tourism minister with the UPM while campaigning with the PPM as deputy leader of the party. More, who also returned to the PPM last week, will be the party’s deputy leader.
Despite pulling together thirteen candidates at the last minute, the party leaders were very positive about the PPM’s chances on 30 April, as the new lineup paraded the stage before the party faithful at the Kimpton Hotel.
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 said that the Progressives would be back in government on 1 May with its very new lineup, which now includes three members of the current administration. While in opposition, the PPM members frequently criticised them, and earlier in the evening McLaughlin described the period in which these three served in the UPM government as the “most politically unstable time” Cayman has ever known.
McLaughlin urged any other “good candidates” running in Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman, Bodden Town West or the four West Bay seats who shared the PPM vision to get in touch and join their platform.
During his address, McLaughlin took aim at the other parties contesting the election, repeating the comments he made in parliament last month about the failed experiment of the independents — referring to the PACT/UPM
PACT was a group of independent MPs who came together after the 2021 elections to form a government. It later became the UPM. More government — and the “experiment of the inexperienced” — referring to the Cayman National Party led by 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 former premier said that Scott and “the pretenders” were asking Caymanians to entrust the fate of the nation to a group of political novices. He also took aim at The Cayman Community Party, calling them “quitters“.
As he wrapped up the conference, 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 outlined the party’s wish list. However, he said the manifesto would detail its proposals for addressing the many issues that Cayman was facing, and all of the candidates would have more to say on the campaign trail.
He urged the party faithful to encourage everyone to get on the PPM train and help them “rescue” the country, claiming that previous PPM administrations had delivered for the people and they were now offering stable government at a time of uncertainty.
He said they had a “duty to the country to continue building the party”, and urged young people in particular to sign up.
As well as confirming that O’Connor-Connolly, who has served in the House continuously since 1996, will be campaign to keep her Cayman Brac East seat, the party said that Delmira Bodden, who had planned to run as an independent and had scheduled a meeting at the same time as the PPM conference, will also now be running on the PPM platform in East End.
The political newcomer will be battling it out against campaign veteran John McLean Jr and incumbent Isaac Rankine. So far, Rankine has not indicated whether or not he intends to join any other alliance on the campaign trail, but it is now clear that he has not repaired his relationship with the Progressives after failing to support them to form a government in 2021, even though the party had contributed to his successful campaign and he had signed an agreement to do so.
O’Connor-Connolly lost at her first attempt to run for office in 1992, but since then has run successfully in the last seven general elections. In this, her ninth campaign, she is hoping to secure the Cayman Islands’ smallest constituency where she received over 70% of the vote in 2021. If she manages to keep hold of the 266 votes she secured last time around, she will be returned to office, scuppering Scott’s chances of leading the next government.
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
She’d have to beat Dan Scott…
Brackers are smart people. They have had enough of her
Unfortunately, they seem addicted to the money she spends locally and completely bought in to the concept she is a religious and honest person, notwithstanding the numerous overseas trips with her “driver”.
Biggest chameleon there is around, and a bible thumping Christian my @$$.
She has one particular hanger on she has the utmost trust in for reasons only she knows, and he cannot do any wrong. Both of them need to be flushed down the tubes neva to return to public life again.
Well it looks like the PPM has basically become the UDP without MacBush publicly. Look out for Rollie, Mac, and Jay to work with them.
PPM – where do you stand on the National Conservation Council, Cruise Ship Piers, Immigration, Solid Waste Management???
You know where they stand; Julie was “persuaded” to go again in order to reinforce the old and new PPM, so they could collectively ramrod the cruise port against the wishes of most of the electorate. NCC? Fix the dump? Reliable public transportation? They got no money for that, just promises that peal like a bell. Next up: Mac joins again, to complete the unholy quattuor.
Adeptus Ridiculous Dispatch: The Great Political Migration
The transmission flickers into life. The Adeptus Ridiculous stands before the hololithic display,
“Ah, yes. Another day, another shift in the political winds, another display of survival instinct so finely honed that even a Tyranid Hive Fleet would nod in respect. Behold, the grand migration of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly—an event so inevitable, so painfully obvious, that my cogitators refuse to register it as news.”
A data-scroll unfurls from a twitching mechadendrite, listing JOCC’s past allegiances, a record so extensive that the parchment nearly catches fire from sheer overuse.
“Let us be clear: This is not about governance. It is not about ideology. It is not about the people. It is about survival—raw, unfiltered, self-preservation at its finest. Like an Ork warlord sniffing the air for the scent of victory, she has detected which way the battle is turning, and with the efficiency of a well-oiled servitor, she has adjusted course accordingly.”
A burst of static erupts from the console as the Adeptus slams his fist down, mechadendrites curling back in exasperation.
“And lo! The Progressives, ever desperate to bolster their numbers, extend a welcoming hand. Is it because of ideological alignment? A shared vision for the future? A genuine belief in competence? Nay, such notions are for the naïve! This is a game of numbers, of filling ranks before the great post-election feast begins. And in this grand political cattle market, loyalty is a commodity, bought and sold as needed.”
The Adeptus gestures towards the hololithic map of Cayman Brac, his lenses narrowing.
“The fiefdom of Cayman Brac, long held in her grip, is the true prize here. She will barter it for her continued seat at the table, a guaranteed position in the next government, perhaps even a ministerial post to oversee her beloved White Elephant of a high school—a temple to inefficiency, funded by taxpayers, driven by personal legacy.”
A pause. The Adeptus leans forward, voice dropping to a grim monotone.
“But let us be under no illusions. This is not the final move. Should the tides shift again, should the Progressives falter, she will pivot once more, discarding this allegiance as effortlessly as a servitor discards spent ammunition. For she is not a leader, nor a visionary—she is a survivor. And in this broken system, survival is the only game that matters.”
With a final hiss of steam, the Adeptus presses a rune on his console, powering down the transmission. The last thing visible before the screen fades to black is a single line of text scrolling across the display:
“Warning: Excessive political migration may cause dizziness, nausea, and a complete loss of faith in governance. Proceed with caution.”
Vote No !
VOTE NO to cruise berthing and VOTE NO to ANY PPM candidate!
caymanians elect these people so you have no-one else to blame but yourselves.
and to make things worse, you also prevent the most qualified and successful caymanians on island from being elected…
welcome to wonderland.
do-nothing-ppm…shameless power hungry flip-floppers.
@Dan Scott and @André Ebanks: Please form a synergy to neutralize this monstrosity! Kenneth can’t wait to build piers and line his pockets; flip-flop Juliana dreams of saddling us with a $200 million high school; Jon-Jon rushed to open a mental health facility knowing it was far from occupancy ready; Joey will likely cancel the exit contract for the ReGen project so Dart can smile at him again.
Gentlement, please put the country first and join forces.
Has Dan’s party declared their position on piers? Or anything else for that matter, except for vague generalities?
Has TCCP declared any of their positions?
Yes, they have declared that if they don’t get their own way they will throw their toys out of the pram.
Hahaha! Good one that is fitting for TCCP walking crew!
10.02.. I would imagine that Dan being an accountant , would heed the AG’s warnings of our runaway deficit position, and not wish to saddle cayman with a further several hundred Million dollars in debt .
Another good reason not to vote PPM..
They will in every case be better than the new PPM which is just the same bunch that we’ve suffered for the Pat 4 years…plus Mac and Saunders.
We need the sanity of Dan and Andre to control our runaway debt and NO cruise piers.
Alden, you are decimating the legacy you built, by pushing this agenda. Except for die-hard PPM followers (who are a lost cause, at this point), looks on in dismay and, frankly, revulsion at what the PPM has become — a group of people who will do anything, sign on any one, just so they can continue to systematically pull Cayman apart. Sell the land, sell work permits, get us into millions of debt. If you all get in, you will no doubt re-engage Dart for the ReGen Project. That was probably the game plan; get Jon Jon to delay the exit contract, thereby buying time for all of you to (hopefully) get back in and reactivate it. Caymanian voters: Wake up!
How about investigating Seymour’s companies to make sure they are all following the labor, pension and health insurance laws.
How about investigating Seymour to see if he is following the DUI laws.
🤮🤮🤮 She reminds me of a flea — rat, bat, cat, dog, human, cattle. She will jump on it, as long as she can continue to feed! She is desperate for that $100 million school; Kenny has a hard ** for the piers; Jon Jon wants to continue to be a Minister anywhere, as long as he gets to continue paying his employees minimum wage; Joey is probably under pressure by developers to sell more, more, more land. Meanwhile, read today’s viewpoint; after nearly ten years and 300 job applications, a well-qualified young Caymanian with proven experience in her field, cannot get a position with corresponding remuneration in that field. The PPM has been around since the early 2000s; then the PACT and UPM, and all of them have had representation from Caymanians bemoaning the situation. Revenues from land sales, work permits, PR and Status continue to climb, to the detriment of many Caymanians who are now unable to have savings, much less use said savings to buy land or a home.
Until we, the voters, commit to change, nothing will change; and such change begins by getting rid of groups like this one.
This is the leading party? Look at the crew; dumb ass Seymour, Hew & Bryant, then the flip flop queen herself JOCC. These are what we want to lead our country with Sir blowhard calling the shots? The whole PPM needs to be flushed down the toilet before they complete the sell out. Whoever gets in, shut down the Brac school before it is too late.
THIS has to be the nail on the coffin for the PPM right?
Come now, they are showing their true colors and they are regurgitating THE MOST UNDESIRABLES of the last government.
SHAME on all of them!
See the strings, the puppet show.
The woman is for turning!
Sorry PPM just lost my vote, bringing in those donkeys into the party. Honestly shame on you, you have criticised these persons for the last four years and now bring them into the party WTf. Our debt is higher than ever before. Long term local businesses are suffering due to expats with status starting up business and overcrowding the market.Caymanians can’t afford to purchase homes and or rent.
Cost of living is out of hand and to the beginning of this, PPM has the b@lls to try keep these donkeys in power.
Hopefully this election we get rid of the current politians and give new blood a chance. Whoever is new in my area will be getting my vote for sure. Of course not part of PPM!
They only just lost your vote because of Julianna? What about Kenneth or the fact that they are the ones who put us in the situation we are in.
Look at the state of them!! LMAO
SO if Kenneth has been offered Deputy Premier, and JuJu will only settle for Premier, what happens to Joey?
Hopefully, all are unsuccessful. That’s my beautiful dream, anyhow!
This rabble will engineer Joey’s overthrow within 6 months.
Juju or Kenneth will be premier, Saunders will be given finance…….IF a PPM majority is voted in.
Joey who? A turkey voting for Christmas. Taking these two vipers in just demonstrates he has the common sense of a slug.
Why the hell are the GT North and WB South races uncontested!? With over 3000 voters in these 2 districts, over 10% of registered voters have nothing to vote for and have essentially had their voice disenfranchised. This is a disgrace!
Don’t know about GT North, but the West Bay South representative is dignified, intelligent, hard-working, humane, and above all, not willing to roll in the mud with the likes in this disgraceful photo.
I live in WB South and don’t feel disenfranchised. My vote would go to Andre.
If you need to know anything about the depth of ethics/morals/sincerity of the PPM, just remember that Alden asked anyone to call him or L’il Who’y with less than 48 hrs to go to join them! That gives them no time at all to vet the candidates background.
Please, people of Cayman, get rid of these Dart loyalists once and for all
She lied about legalizing local production of medical cannabis at her final meeting prior to last elections as a last ditch blow to Elvis, who tbh did quite well for a newcomer in watrin place.
She lied to government workers at a staff function declaring that this is the last time she will be their minister because she will NOT be running again.
Dishonesty is the one offence that blocks someone from running.
Juju, as a Bracka, go retire on your multi-million dollar piggy bank on the bluff. It’s evident the only reason you “reconsidered” is 1) ulterior motives for PPM and 2) ensure the school, which is progressing in construction, is named after you, madam paver.
No weed, No wote.
Juju is the biggest pain in Cayman’s ass.
Her, Mac, Kenny, Saunders and Duhwayne.
And…..They are the biggest Asses in Cayman’s pain.
The party of liars. Julianna lied when she said she was retiring and now expects us to believe she is coming to “save us” from the mess she has helped to make.
Joey lied when he said they were not supporting “controversial” legislation.
Kenneth lied when he said he opposed the port, and is lying now in telling us a yes vote won’t be carte blanche for the next government
Roy can’t be bothered to host a single constituency meeting while he’s in the OPPOSITION so you know you’re not seeing him if he becomes a Minister
Pearlina shady af
Jon Jon is a joke
The PPM spent the last few months calling this the “lame duck govt” and goes and embraces half of the ducks. Quack quack!
You can’t even save yourselves from your own stupidity why would we trust you with the country?
We know there will be a coalition government and I want to know from the other parties and independents who will work to put JOCC and Mac in a position of power again bc let’s face it, they cut from the same cloth.
Nail on head 5.30…well observed.
When Kenny said he was against piers was before Mac told him of the rewards offered by the generous Chinese.
Let alone his discovery of how generous his shop owning sponsors could be.
No votes from us from PPM..now showing how low they can be for personal gain.
Buy your Air Tickets now!
After elections, Eric Bush becomes Deputy Governor.
Bet..Run!
The expensive red wine budget would have to be substantially increased.
Bad news for SOME?!
How about ALL!
This is the Progress Block party from the looks of it.
News readers, DJs and Novatos.
“Regress For All”
The deal is, if mckeeva bush is elected will be given Speaker under ppm administrarion. If he does not win, he will still be speaker, as ppm will offer position to a none elected member of the public.
So, PPM will try to ramrod the cruise port, against the wishes of most of the people. Julie won’t be able to position herself … yet… as Premier, but that’s not to assume she won’t be without power.
Good Lord. This election is a cluster[expletive], as it has been for the last few. May we at least hope that Mac won’t be reelected? Please God, grant me this small wish.
5 seats max is what they will win. Heard it here first.
4 too many. Roy McT is the only one that adds value in Parliament.
Roy McTaggart stood up in front of the country during the PAC and directly stated that he, as the minister of finance at the time, had no clue how many tens of millions in concessions and waivers he and the PPM gave away to foreign developers. This is a 100% factual statement; they literally did not keep track of what they gave away, and therefore were unable to determine either the short- or long-term effects of said concessions. As many of us do, you might have fond memories of the McTaggarts as a whole, but don’t let that blind you from what is right in front of your face: Roy fits right in with the rest of the PPM at the bottom of the barrel.
5 seats too many.
That’s 5 seats too many.
They ceased to be PPM when they scraped the bottom of the barrel and added Kenneth Juju and Seymour. Those 3 will add Mac and Saunders , and that’s more than enough reason to not support PPM .
I don’t want Cruise piers , and all that will bring to the destruction of what’s left of Cayman , plus an additional $450,000,000 debt.
Just won’t ever go away. Like a bad case of herpes.
..Oh. are there good cases?
Depends how much fun you had catching it.
And we’re going to pay the price for Kenny and Mac’s cruise piers for generations .
No regard for increasing our debt by $450Million…not including “gratuities”.
Disgraceful! People DO NOT forget her:
a). Failures to improve Cayman’s education system to give school graduates a fighting chance at employment;
b). Corruption (paving private roads with public resources), waste of funds (grossly expensive proposed high school);
c). Political inconsistency. She stands for NO principles. Just simply blow whichever way is better for HER.
Vote her out this time!!
It won’t happen. Why? Because we Brackers will never vote for someone who doesn’t live here. It takes understanding of the Sister Islands to get elected. It’s just the way it is.
What a silly comment. Do tell what Julianna has done for YOU since she’s been in government? Don’t include the little handouts either. I mean how has she improved your life and that of everyone in the Brac? This list should be short because the people there are under-educated, broke and drunk half the time. If you’re still struggling to get by that’s not a sign of a good government. They are supposed to bring prosperity to the people and not just themselves.
To 4:48 pm: I am embarrassed to read your comment. What has this woman done for your youth? Are there jobs aplenty in the Brac for people 18-30 or are they only waiting to hit a certain age before they ship out? You have UCCI, are there enough businesses in the Brac for graduates to practice their chosen careers earning a decent remuneration? How is the alcohol/substance abuse/mental health/child abuse situation in the Brac?
Truly, your kind of mentality is part of the reason Cayman is floundering.
Then you and all like you that think that way are a HUGE part of the probably and aa part of the reason why the country is fast becoming a sh-t hole for Caymanians to live in…
What is there to understand except all you want is handouts?