Repackaged political convenience
Michael Myles writes: As a citizen of my beloved Cayman Islands, I write this with a deep sense of frustration and disgust at how low and dishonest our political landscape has become. On 1 March, I witnessed politics at its worst — a spectacle of hypocrisy disguised as leadership. The chairman of the PPM stood before the people and declared, “We have an election to win and a country to save,” urging Caymanians to “get on the PPM train” and “help us rescue Cayman again”.
These grand statements were made while endorsing members of the very government that created the chaos he now condemns. MPs who have repeatedly quit and rejoined his party, driven not by principle but by political convenience, are now being repackaged as our nation’s saviours. This level of absurdity should insult the intelligence of every voter.
I am neither surprised nor shocked. This is exactly the type of political theater I expected. His party has welcomed back three ministers who have recklessly signed our country up for $450 million in debt, a burden that will weigh heavily on Caymanians for the next 30 years.
Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be forced to pay for decisions made without accountability. And yet, instead of taking responsibility, he now presents these same individuals as the solution to the very problems they created.
The irony seems lost on him, but it should not be lost on the people of this country. Caymanians must see this for what it is: a desperate and dishonest attempt to maintain power at any cost.
For the past four years, this same opposition has attacked these ministers for “destroying our country”. Yet, today, they are suddenly fit to “rescue us”? Think about that for a moment. How does a party that has spent years calling out incompetence now turn around and embrace it? How do they expect us to forget their own words and believe that simply switching political jerseys absolves them of their failures?
This isn’t leadership; it’s a cynical political game, played at the expense of the Caymanian people.
The chairman further mocked independent candidates and newcomers by calling them “experiments” — yet he has filled his party with seven candidates who have never been in government before, four of whom have never even contested an election in the last 30 years. How does he justify this contradiction?
He belittles the inexperience of others while banking on the inexperience of his own recruits. I refuse to accept this level of hypocrisy. If this is what “experience” looks like, they can keep it. I will continue to support leaders with real accomplishments outside of politics, people with integrity, competence and a genuine commitment to serving our country, not just themselves.
Michael Myles is a candidate for Prospect, running on the Cayman Islands National Party ticket.
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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 […]
Michael, one day soon, I am going to stand on a political platform and let the country know what you said about Dan Scott and his party before you sucked eggs and joined him!!
Ill also tell them what you said about forming a new party with Chris Saunders.
Lucy you got some splaining to do!!
To 11:33pm: Can’t be worse than Hew, McLaughlin and McTaggart constantly putting down Bryan for eight years, to now be smiling like best friends
In politics you have to learn to work with others; that is not the problem. The problem is when you work with others to the detriment of the people. (Think the PPM’s ReGen project, PR points system, piers, etc.)
Crazy thing is this. On voting day it’s not all the talkers in this forum that gets to vote it’s all of Cayman. At that point we will figure if it’s the silent minority or majority.
I am PPM but cannot bring myself to vote for whom I am supposed to vote for. God help guide my hand on that day.
2.21 I share your concerns, and am left with no choice but to vote for any party that’s not cozy with Mac and Saunders, and does not have Kenneth, Juju, Seymour on their platform.
To 2:21pm: Break away from misperception. If a party no longer represents your core values, then you have outgrown them, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Angry entitled fool with nothing to offer yet somehow would still be a step up from Sabrina.
Crystal will win the Prospect race. I haven’t heard a peep from Sabrina and Michael wasn’t even here for his own nomination!
Lmao Ms Leigh-Wong ain’t winning shit. I bet she doesn’t get 20% of the votes.
7:22am She has not started her circus yet, wait a bit and you will hear her. Myles is a much better candidate; sadly, he shies away from all the lights and shows her followers seem to like. Some civil servants found her difficult to work with, too.
I know Sabrina and Michael. Sabrina has a seriously bad rep with the HSA as she is a know it all and tries to tell trained people how things should operate. Michael does well with what he does training wise but has a short temper and is definitely not cut out for politics. I can’t speak on Crystal as I have never met her before. I vote in GTC so doesn’t matter much to me.
André, Joey, and new comer Nickolas Dacosta were uncontested and have already won 3 of the 19 district contests. Only 16 left up for grabs.
PPM has secured 7 seats. Rollie Issac and Gary rutty will join them to form a government. Andre leader of the poor opposition.
Where were you at your own Nomination Michael? Nowhere to be soon. You should, BY LAW have to attend your own nomination. This just show lack of commitment and looks very un professional.
So stupid. Why should that be written into law? He can’t nominate himself, so why is his presence required in any capacity on nomination day?
He has literally been here fighting and doing right for Caymanians for decades, but because he’s away with his family over Easter break (like many of us are) he’s no longer a viable candidate? Pull your head out of your ass and give it a good shake.
Sunday April 20th is Easter. Sounds like he’s on a nice long break then, perfect fit for a parliamentarian.
lol yeah I’ve broken free of my indoctrination so I guess I should have confirmed what cult-driven holiday is this week before hitting submit. The rest of it is still perfectly valid though <3
If someone has to tell you why you should be there for your own nomination then the battle is already lost.
Why should he be here for his nomination?
– Pride of country.
– To represent your constituency and party.
– To show you are serious about the change you claim to bring.
– To show you know how to actually plan a schedule.
– To show you are committed to your people.
– To make yourself available to your voters and media with any questions.
It’s also not Easter, and he is self employed so not being available is inexcusable to be quite honest. Do you not think any of the other nominees had vacation plans this week that they postponed given Wednesday is a holiday?
Is Nomination Day a big deal in the overall campaign? Was a national decision taken on that day, and he was not there? Please! We need to get priorities straight. This is insignificant.
Dear Michael Joey Hew looks like a steam roller to me!
You better find how to get elected.
Michael is only posting this because his party leader, Dan Scott is now at a huge risk of not even winning his constituency. It wouldn’t surprise me if Dan decided to switch constituencies last minute to not risk losing to Julianna but I think he is too proud to do that and would also get crucified for it as it would show that he is scared of not getting elected which is not good for a party leader.
This is the same Michael Myles who
A. Was slandering Dan Scott and his party calling them “rich elitists” before joining them.
B. Is not even going to be on island for Nomination Day which is absolutely ridiculous.
C. Has been spreading disgusting, and I mean disgusting rumors about Sabrina Turner while doing his canvassing.
To 10:58am: What has Turner done in four years? Tell us.
The improvements to the HSA were in the pipeline since the previous administration; same thing with the Amendment to the Pharmacy Act. One set of draining hoses in Prospect were down the street from her own house — btw, already had a big ra$$ house, turned round and borrowed money to buy a bigger one (Keeping up with the Joneses syndrome). Some of the civil servants who worked with her found her pedantic, arrogant and not humble enough to admit that she was new, so they understood how things worked better than she did. What policy change did she champion in four years? Be honest. This is not about liking or disliking so and so person. It’s about electing citizens who will build a legacy which will benefit the constituency, and the islands, in the long run.
THANK YOU! We cannot, as a country, elect such a woman back into office; she is literally only in this race to pay back a loan. The TCCP + CINP coalition government is our best choice, and she does not need to be a part of that. We will do without her as a nation.
Sabrina and Michael are just as bad as each other coming from somebody who knows both! Michael swore down he would never join Dan Scott and then turned around and did it. Prospect doesn’t want to be represented by a money party who has no interest in helping our constituency and its ironic that the Sabrinas office has looked rundown for the last 4 years and has just now been refreshed again before an election, just like her political career. She has done nothing since being elected by us!
Please do not vote for PPM.
VOTE NO to CRUISE BERTHING and VOTE NO to ANY PPM Candidate!
I hope people use their powerful lil’ pencils to vote the PPM out. Since the early 2000s, they have systematically taken down everything that made Cayman great for Caymanians. Sold our land, our employment, our education, our very birth-right! to highest bidders. Also, we need a referendum to void OMOV and bring back the national vote. I have had enough of having to vote for the most harmless from amongst my constituency’s most mediocre.
Well said Michael.
A clear and down to earth statement reflecting what all honest and concerned Caymanians are thinking.
Reject PPM and their underhanded hypocrisy and identity candidates sharing Michael’s sense of duty to the people of Cayman.
PPM, Piss Poor Managers.
Thank you for your very well written Viewpoint Mr. Myles.
From another perspective, the PPM have done us a favour by putting all of the candidates nobody should vote for together in an easily identified package.
Hit the nail on the head, Michael. As a young Caymanian and registered voter, I struggle to understand how people can turn around and believe PPM is going to bring stability as if they didn’t cause rampant development in the previous administration and embrace people who caused discord in this one either. It honestly feels like betrayal from our people, who, to be frank, should know better. I’m tired of the puppet show and equally disappointed that people don’t seem to believe that candidate quality matters. BTE, I’m looking at you. Can TCCP and CINP go on record and state that they will refuse to form a government with unqualified and unprincipled PPM members?
I hear your concerns, However, lest we not forget the majority of “TCCP” were on record last election saying they would not work with McKeeva Bush and low and behold during the post-election horse trading there he was.
A Promise is comfort to a fool.
Actually, Mac said in Parliament that the PPM had approached him to form a government but like the rest of the country, he wanted to give the P.A.C.T.’s approach a chance…
Didnt Wayne and Ossie resign from the PPM because of their disgust over Mac. Then Wayne turned around and joined Mac to form Government? Are you saying Wayne wet back on his principles just to get the Premiership? #shewasneversupported
Wayne left PPM because he wanted to be Premier. He used Mckeeva as an excuse and then brought him on board when he realized he needed him to form a government and be Premier. integrity out of the window.
The most foolish is the one that thinks *any* of the parties are unwilling to work with Mac if it is the difference between forming their government or not. *Especially* PPM, who have just brought back into their fold three of the biggest blights in the Cayman’s political history, after lambasting them for 4 years straight.
To 9:06 They lambasted Bryan for 8. First it was McLaughlin, then Hew — and Hew and Bryan are cousins! Imagine.
2.21 I share your concerns, and am left with no choice but to vote for any party that’s not cozy with Mac and Saunders, and does not have Kenneth, Juju, Seymour on their platform.
Thanks for your views Mr. Myles. Best of luck with your candidacy!
He has no chance. Most people in prospect know him for who he really is which is why he lost last time. P
How come those that “know him for who he really is” only ever make these broad, intentionally-ambiguous statements instead of telling the rest of us what’s wrong with him?
To 12:56 pm. Let us guess: you are a Turner supporter. Well, when people get elected, all of us pay their salary, even if we did not vote for them. At that point, it becomes a matter of who will do a better job of representing all of us locally AND overseas. It is about who can make changes today that will benefit every one in all three islands in the future. It is not about winning over someone else, but about winning for everyone. On that basis, ask yourself whether Turner is really that caliber of a candidate.