Creating a better future through better politics in Cayman
Michael Myles writes: Caymanians deserve honest, solutions-driven leadership, not more of the same political games. I understand that in politics, criticism is inevitable. I expected the usual personal attacks, dishonesty, exaggerations, and political interference, especially from paid social media pages and their surrogates, some of whom hide behind anonymous accounts while profiting from the division they create.
While disappointing, it is not surprising that these distractions dominate the conversation. This is a deliberate attempt to shift the focus away from the failures of past governments — those who now want to paint a hopeful picture of the future they have failed to deliver. They want to divert attention from the real solutions and the real leaders our country desperately needs.
We need fair and balanced reporting. Even during paid programming, we should be able to trust that the media will be neutral, holding all candidates accountable for their records and exploring their policy positions. We should not have media platforms taking the side of those paying them and then attacking opposing candidates, which seem disproportionately aimed at some members of the Cayman Islands National Party. This bias has not gone unnoticed by the public because our people want better.
Right now, we face unprecedented challenges:
- Over $700 million in new debt
- An immigration crisis
- Housing shortages
- Rising unemployment
- An education system disconnected from the job market
- Traffic gridlock
- Widening social divisions
Our people are demanding change, and that change begins with this election. This campaign period should NOT be about personal attacks, grudges, or recycled politicians desperate to stay relevant. We must break this cycle — for the future of our country.
As candidates, we have a responsibility to show the public that we can engage in policy debates with respect and integrity. We can disagree without resorting to dishonesty. We can hold each other accountable with truth and completeness. A strong opposition is essential for good governance, but it must be productive, not destructive. That is why we must call out bad behaviour and distance ourselves from those who thrive on division.
This election should inspire confidence, not frustration. It should engage our people, encouraging them to vote in record numbers, not push them further into political apathy.
Personally, I will not be deterred by negativity because I know the value of the work I’ve done and the lives it has touched. I understand that challenging the status quo will upset those who benefit from it. I know I won’t have everyone’s support, and I accept that. But I refuse to waste energy engaging
in meaningless rhetoric when there is real work to be done.
Instead, I choose to focus on solutions:
- Creating opportunities for our youth to learn, grow, and receive the mentorship they deserve
- Bridging the gap between education and employment for our people
- Supporting families and single parents who struggle to provide for their children
- Building the Cayman that Caymanians deserve
I proudly stand with the Cayman Islands National Party to offer a better way forward, one rooted in common sense, service, and compassion.
Our people deserve nothing less.
Michael Myles is a candidate for Prospect.
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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 […]
Is this View Point no longer available unless you have the link and click on that? I searched through the View Point page and see others that were published previously but not this one. Wa go on ya?
CNS: Refresh the page and see if that sorts it out. It could also be that you looked at the Viewpoints on the wrong site (Headline News). This VP is as readily available as all the others.
What sort of person submits a Viewpoint and refuses to respond to comments?
Michael Myles
I am surprised Michael has not asked his accuser to release this video being mentioned in regards to these ‘false allegations’ regarding verbally abusing children. Makes me think they are not false at all. Rolston also called him out on his false credentials. He may have just put a nail in his own coffin regarding his election chances in Prospect.
All you have to do is listen to him and you will come to know that Rollie is lot wrong.
Rollie stayed sober long enough to remember all that?
I’m honestly not impressed with Michael Myles as a candidate, and he definitely won’t have my vote. From what I’ve heard, he seems to run away when things get tough—like when he packed up his family and left. His attack on private schools doesn’t sit well with me, and there are concerns about his racial prejudices. He often refers to Cayman as “this country,” which feels disconnected and out of touch with the local community. He’s not very well-articulated either, and I found it inappropriate for him to mention his child’s name in his campaigning. To top it off, he constantly gives off this vibe that Cayman “needed him,” which just feels wrong. Overall, I’m just disgusted by his approach and he is the last thing that Cayman needs.
Are you even a true voter in his area? Or just a distractor trying to turn people away from voting for him? No man is perfect but when they have our children’s best interests at heart, isn’t that something to consider? I don’t agree with cussing at anyone’s child I’d that is what happened, but look at yourself and ask yourself if you have never done the same? Are you without flaws? Have you been a perfect parent or guardian?! It’s not right but, some children can really push buttons and if we are not careful we will lose it and say something regrettable! I wasn’t there. I don’t know what was said and I don’t agree with what ia being alleged. But not a one of them politicians are saints. They all got flaws! For this alleged flaw that Michael has, he’s done so much other good things for our children. I’m willing to give him a chance to prove himself to be a better person than this alleged mistake, if it’s true,because our children’s future should be what’s important. You voters have overlooked a lot of wrong, much worse than cussing, to keep certain politicians in power. If it did happen and the behavior is corrected, then I think our children will win in the end. Please stop holding our own people down. We all have faults. It’s how you change and move forward that matters
I can assure you, I am a voter in this area, and I have taken the time to attend the various events where he has spoken. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am entitled to mine as well. I have valid concerns, and after considering multiple factors, including his dialog at those events, I have made my decision. He will not be getting my vote for the reasons I expressed, amongst others.
You are right that no one is perfect, but when it comes to the leadership of our community and the wellbeing of our children, we must hold those in positions of power to a higher standard. Parents in our community have spoken out, and they have expressed real concerns about his actions. Whether you were there or not, these concerns are valid, and they deserve to be heard.
It is one thing to make mistakes and seek redemption, but there is a pattern of behavior here that I am not willing to overlook. We can’t just brush off actions that undermine the trust of parents and voters. You are right that every politician has flaws, but as members of the community we have to weigh those flaws against their actions and their overall impact on our children’s future. Based on what I’ have seen and heard, I do not believe he is the right person for the job. This decision is about more than just one mistake or one alleged incident, it is about a pattern of leadership, integrity, and the direction I believe our community should go.
So, because you’re not present and children or adolescents tend to test boundaries and push buttons, does that make it acceptable for him to mistreat them? I genuinely hope you don’t have children, because if you do, it’s time to wake up and stop burying your head in the sand.
I can honestly say that I have never cussed my child, let alone cussed out/at someone else’s.
What the hell is wrong with you?? You are just as sick as him apparently.
You are clearly not a voter in our district either “Are you even a true voter in *his* district” but yet have the audacity to question someone else.
If you worked with him, you would know that’s how he is. He does help people to an extent be he is very self righteous. He’s also throws temper tantrums like you wouldn’t believe.
7:07 oh I am not surprised. I have seen how he conducts himself…unimpressed
Wow! I’m a Prospect voter and want to know where Rolston addressed matters relating to Michael. And yes, Michael, those allegations need to be addressed. If true, thank you Rollie for telling us!
The allegations are very true my dear. I worked with the man as a Social Worker when he was a Social Worker
The statements Rollie made can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EYK4xQtbm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Michael, I don’t know you but have listened to your rants on the campaign trail and honestly I’m tired of listening to the tired stories of what you have done, how many times you became fed up with government and left the island only to be asked to return etc. I have yet to hear a solid plan addressing what you intend to do, if elected, to fix the various issues that you refer to! Will you get fed up and flee the island again? See that behaviour in itself is concerning and hearing those stories does not give me confidence in your abilities.
Thank you for voicing the thoughts of many, including myself! I am a voter in his district and I am so turned off by his “know it all” attitude and overzealous sense of bravado. He is certainly not my representative, and he never will be, no matter what comes out of this election.
Mr Myles
It would be helpful if the CINP (and other parties) actually released a substantive platform for people to evaluate rather than vague priorities that essentially can be translated to read ‘we are for good things and against bad things’
I don’t personally care about 20-year-old disputes you had with previous governments or other candidates but the fact that the CINP and the other parties are waiting until the 11th hour to reveal their manifestos and actual policies but have planned for MONTHS their slick advertising campaigns, headquarters, meetings and, rosters of candidates is more than a bit concerning. Its easy to get up on a stage or on a radio show and pivot to popular positions that people want to hear, it’s easy to do vox pops, home visits or meet and greets where most of what you say will be forgotten within the hour.
A platform can be pointed to and referenced for years to come it is the only thing people are even tepidly held to in Cayman. Make no mistake, I am under no illusions, as soon as the votes are counted in Cayman most politicians discard their manifesto to one can only assume is the same dusty shelf that the government puts reports on but especially for a party made up entirely of political novices and persons with no previous electoral experience. It is doubly important that the country knows what it is you propose or intend we have no other measure for you to be held to. It should have been the leading edge of your introduction not the last thought in the cycle.
Every party this election continues the long tradition in Cayman politics: Putting the cart in front of the horse and then saying you are the people to lead the country responsibly and transparently as the horse trots off to greener pastures.
I say all that to say this: We could agree on the issues and problems all day and all night – the thing that matters are the solutions and proposals.
Michael Myles writes: Caymanians deserve honest, solutions-driven leadership, not more of the same political games.
You speak of honesty yet less than one month before the election you are unable, or unwilling, to make a definitive statement on whether your party supports cruise ship piers, or where you stand on proposed changes to the National Conservation Law?
If you can’t answer simple questions BEFORE the election, we know with absolute certainty that you will not answer any questions AFTER being elected.
Does anyone think “Building the Cayman that Caymanians deserve” means anything other than building the Cayman that “We” want and the rest of you deserve whatever you get!
Michael clearly stated in the chamber forum and on his social media that he was not for the cruise berthing facility, the country cannot even afford this project given the significant debt prior governments have strapped people with. And That upgrades to the port which may be necessary should be done with existing funding. As you suggested, Are you unable or just unwilling to be informed? If you don’t know the answer that’s fine make the inquiry but why the question of honesty? If you’re interested in his position have perhaps watch these things, attend an event or reach out to him?
Is that the Party stance or just Michael’s? If it is then put it in a manifesto for the whole world to see.
Is Michael going to tell his supporters LATER, or does he want to say it NOW, that he is with the Cayman Islands National Party but he doesn’t agree with EVERYTHING the Party Leader stands for?
Remember the old Caymanian expression popular when I was a child, you can’t eat your cake and have it too.
Let’s have it in writing, please!
Michael – we heard Rolston air out your dirty laundry about who you are last week. We saw where you cursed out kids and many parents have stepped forward to speak out on you. Why don’t you defend that and set the record straight? We prospect voters want to know about THAT!
Rolston was dirty for saying what he said. But clearly he’s playing the game and will do whatever it takes to win. It’s a pity. I thought him and Michael could have really made a difference for our children. But I guess getting rid of the competition was his only MO. So he can come across as the white knight! I lost whatever respect I tried to have for Rolston listening to how he threw Michael under the bus. I’m not saying Michael was right, but he’s done a lot more for our children than many have done and when it’s all said and done he’s still going to be providing opportunities for our children. To all those castigating him, Who knows, he may actually help make something of your kid along the way too!
How was Rolston dirty? Michael claimed to have started something that he didn’t. He was also backed up by somebody who was there when it was started who also said Michael was brought in later. Don’t lie and take credit for something you had no part in starting. It’s not difficult.
You can’t defend the indefensible. If you are falsely accused of something like that, the first thing you would do is deny and ask for the proof to be shared. He is just deflecting.