(CNS): The planned public protest against government which was scheduled for Saturday, 13 March, has been cancelled. The demonstration had been organised by Charles Clifford, the former cabinet minister, who now says he has lost the support of his colleagues in the PPM for the march because of government’s turnaround on the sale of the new government building negating the need to protest. Clifford, however, states that what he sees as the damaging changes to immigration policies must still be protested, but without the organisational support of the party the demo won’t go ahead.
“This has always been a non-partisan all inclusive protest march consisting of PPM members and non PPM members, and the PPM has, up to recently, publicly supported the effort,” he said. “The … decision not to continue to support the protest march has removed a significant part of the organizational support and resources … and this will prevent us from achieving success with respect to the other part of the reason for the march, which is the reversal of the UDP Government’s damaging changes to our Immigration policies.”
Although the PPM has raised some concerns about the planned and already implemented policy changes, they have stated that the designation of key employees is not significant enough to justify a protest march.
However, Clifford insists that these changes will result in the designation of thousands of immigrant workers as key employees, starting in the financial services industry and extending into other industries, such as tourism, as members of the UDP stated at the recent Cayman Business Outlook.
“This will place these key employees on the path to permanent residency and ultimately Caymanian Status. The negativeissues which we all know will flow from these policies are obvious and are not in the best interest of Caymanians or expatriate workers,” he said.
“I am disappointed in the PPM’s position on this matter given the significant negative impact that these Immigration policy changes will have on young Caymanians and Caymanians who are already working in these major industries.”
At the PPM public meeting this week, Denise Miller, President of the Young Progressives, the party’s youth arm, also raised concerns about the impact the immigration changes would have on young Caymanians entering the work place.
Taking aim at what has been a corner stone of PPM policy, Clifford said the changes to immigration would undermine the education reform efforts and pleaded with his former Cabinet colleagues to think again.
“I encourage the PPM leadership to reconsider their position on this matter,” Clifford added. “To ignore it will undermine the PPM’s focus and credibility on Educational Reform because these Immigration policy changes will certainly emasculate the Educational Reform efforts …”
He said that as a result of the planned march and public pressure government decided against selling the new administration building and he said people could be satisfied that they had won 50% of the battle. Clifford also noted that the irrational decisions and announcements of the UDP Government are now being more aggressively challenged.
However, despite that, he said there was a need to now prevent the implementation of damaging immigration policies He said it was important to have the correct balance of Caymanians and expatriates in the workforce.
“This issue is important, not just to Caymanians but to everyone living and working in the Cayman Islands because if these policy changes are allowed to stand the ultimate result will be a deterioration of our social harmony, which is a significant part of the foundation for our success and attractiveness as a country,” Clifford warned. “This effort is about allowing everyone living and working here to continue to succeed and ensuring that our economic pillars of financial services and tourism continue to flourish.”
Chuckie, don’t be discouraged remember a thousand miles begins with one step… your first step was to stop the sale of the Governmet Office Building and many more to go. Keep the faith and remember many of us support you some are in front, beside and behind you.
Continue to flow like the might leader you are destined to become. Remember the story of the big river which began as a little stream and kept on flowing and pushing everything in its path until it became a river and eventually flowed into the great ocean.
We believe a change is gonna come.
Ok Chuckster…..two choices apparently. Leave the PPM and form another party or lead the PPM.
Lets roll !!!!!!!
Give me a break. This march is a little bit to late. PPM you should have stood up when Mark and John John got it. What they did was illegal and you guys had no backbone to come forward!!! UDP deserves to be there now!!!
I hope both of them try and visit their district of Bodden Town to listen to the problems – We realize they are busy. Please don’t forget the people who cast their votes, your presence is still required.
But therein lies a problem. Too much politicians go through the motions of "listening" to us in BT, but what do we see as a result? Nothing.
They just make the right noises to keep us quiet for a while is all. Never see anything come of any of their promises or assurances. Just look at the floodings and policians false promises we receive each year. One politician promised fill the yards of some residents who suffer from prolonged flooding each year… they still waiting and the next rainy season is almost upon us.
I’ve given up trying, they’re a complete waste of time.
A man who would risk both political parties going up against him is a man of unquestionable courage, commitment and loyalty to his country.
Mr. Clifford your Caymanian DNA clearly goes back many generations !!!
We sincerely thank you.
A clear example of a politician putting country before his party !!! Well done Chuck.
I don’t know why some people get so political and say that Chuck is doing this for political reasons……didn’t you all hear him say sometime ago on the Rooster show that he probably wouldn’t be a candidate in the next election.
You know that some people will do things sometimes simply for love of country !
Too bad thats not the motivator for more of us !!!!
Someone needs to keep an eye on McDinejad so we should be grateful that Chuck is there to do it……has experience proven that there is someone else out there that will ?…….NO !!!!!!!!!!
Chuck I say kick McDinejad again if he needs it.
The real check and balance 🙂
Thanks to Mr. Clifford when the new Government Administration Building is officially opened in 2011, Caymanians can truly be proud of "their" building and that we own the "seat" of our Government.
Thanks Mr. Clifford.
Now lets tackle the Immigration issues…….those must be stopped too Sir !
once again the ppm show us that they do not have any leadership about them. if kurt had and respect he would resign now. or we going to let the immigration bill pass to be a bigger problem to our young people, lets still match. as for the poster who suggested that it must be the letter from TRUMAN AND JOHN he/she do not know what is going on in the country. these two should be a shame of thems, they allowed the gangs to start in this country. i hope you all remember when truman said that there were no gangs here it was only groups.. all the two of you did with the other ministers at the time was you took priate citizen land and gave it to your buddies, when every in east end knew who that was for. i wonder if the two of you sleep good at night. oh one is now a big christian now. like mac i guess
Chuckie – forget the immigration policies – start doing something about the friggin’ gangs – that’s the priority – for God’s sake do something!
We regret to announce the passing of the late PPM who died on the 11th of March 2010 after a short illness since the 20th 0f May ’09,left to mourn are the broken hearted and disappointed supporters of the PPM. The funeral service for the late PPM will be held this Saturday,March 13th at 2 PM at the Edge in Bodden Town,with interment to follow at the Country and Western burial plot in Prospect.In lieu of flowers donations of any kind(money,food,clothes etc) can be made to Charles "Chuckie" Clifford who will be out of a political job for the rest of his life.Mourners are asked to wear the happy and uplifting colors of green and blue instead of the usual and mournful red.Transportation will be provided by the UNSTOPPABLE,DETERMINED PEOPLE’S public transportation.
My goodness,the 13th of march was supposed to be the PPM’s march then all of a sudden we are going to have their funeral on that same day,life is so uncertain……anyway may their souls rest in peace.
Chucky a lot of private citizen and public citizens alike will support you in the fight for these meaniful causes. We still need to stop this new Immigration Bill from becoming a reality, because this will completely suppress the Caymanian in the Financial work places. Already these new PR’s are keeping down the Caymanian in the Private sector and with the Government reassurances to them, the situations will get worse. We need a referandum to get rid of Mac and to railroad this immigration bill. We also need to get some of these fees reduced and revampt the old annual head tax for males over 18 years.Chucky there are still a lot of reason for us to March and it can be done without the support of PPM, John McLean and Truman Bodden. You have the support of the Cayman people. Lastly, do not believe for one bit, that McKeeva will not sell that Government Bldg. He is still going to sell it, because he has got commission to collect. He is hungry for money and he will lie to get it. Be aware and alerted. I am very disappointed that the March has been cancelled and the idiots of UDP will be laughing.
Its a shame because The Chuckster is the only one that can get Mac nervous and afraid.
Thanks Mr. Clifford. You tried and you did have some success. We appreciate it.
The PPM cant even organize a few people for a march! Then they throw Chuckie under the bus, even though he deserves it. Da Wha Ya Get!
Mr Clifford,please get the message and stop making us waste time now. We have a survival problem facing the islands and definately not a political score card.
Let us all work together constructively to get this country from the financial mess.
Well i have to say i am glad Mr. Woodchuck came to his senses, it must have been the letter from Truman Bodden and John Mclean that did it…
I am NOT fond of the PPM nor Charles Clifford- however I must congratulate the PPM leadership; whoever they be for not supporting this self serving march that was organized by Charles CLifford.
In these rough waters, the last thing we need is marches. I agree that there are differences between the 2 parties, but this marcg would have accomplished NOTHING.
I never thought the day would come that I would say this but I must boldly say yet again- CONGRATS to the PPM for not supporting OR encouraging this self serving and self centred march.
By the way- as a voter, I did not vote in the last election as I saw candidates who were worthy of my X- so the bloggers have no need to accuse me of being a UDP supporter nor accuse me of being a PPM opposer.
I have only stated the facts as I see them and the stoppage of the march is commendable.
Boss ge ge ge ge,good news boss,good news,ge ge ge ge!!!!!
THANKS CHUCKIE FOR TRYING. thanks for trying to put the leader under preasure. at lease you made him told another LIE THE ADMIN BUILDING WAS NEVER FOR SALE. you must not worry about the leadership of the PPM. those guys have nothing to lose. this should show us that that we need another party. by the way what do kirk get pay for, he does nothing. i for one will never vote for him again. all he worry about is food. there are so many issues in this country that we should about march about, but PPM do not see them. chuckie if you cannot live with GET out from amounst them. start working on the third party,or run on your own
Chuckie has Mac is a tailspin……clearly the UDP has no plan for our economic recovery.
Chuckie I understand that its hard to do this without resources but these Immigration policy changes must be stopped ! Thank you for what you have achieved so far sir.
I am a young Caymanian professional and trust me when I say that we understand clearly the negative impact that these policy changes will have on us.
You need to form a new party with Arden and Ezzard !!!
One thing for sure is that if our politicians don’t stand up it is only a matter of time before the people stand for themselves.
I am an expatriate and I want to thank Mr. Clifford for his comments. I feel the resentment in the workforce already since this announcement by the government and we need to prevent that from happening like Mr. Charles has said.
In my own country we won’t open the floodgates to expatraite workers and my country is much larger than yours. No country can afford to do that because it causes too many problems.
It seems to me that Mr. Clifford is making a commendable attempt to keep the social harmony that we all enjoy today and that can only be a good thing.
To "Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/11/2010 – 13:27": thank you for being honest. Lets work together to get this resolved. The first thing that needs to happen is that the Government should suspend the "Immigration (Financial Services Sector) Directions, 2010" that were gazzetted on 5th February. 2010. Then they there needs to be wide consultation with all stake holders.
I am not saying that there can’t be some immigration adjustments. However, the long and short of it is that the financial services sector needed to become more competitive in order to bring in new business. By increasing activity based fees such as Company registrations, etc. the Governments has made Cayman less competitive and we were already more expensive in some areas compared to competing jurisdictions such as the BVI. So the rollback of some of these fees is well worth considering. I know many Business Owners who wanted to continue to attract customers and lowered their prices in this economic downturn, not raised them!
The new "Immigration Directions" are really not needed because all businesses that could justify their key employee applications were granted those key employees. Hence, given the past track record of McKeeva and the UPD regarding status give aways, such moves by the current Government are naturally viewed with great suspicion and by many with great trepidation.
My thanks to both Anonymous For Cause (not verified) on Fri, 03/12/2010 – 01:39 and Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/11/2010 – 13:27, whose post was referred to, for your excellent comments on this topic. I am neither UDP or PPM but I can say that I am not at all surprised at the UDP’s actions knowing their track record with the status grants in 2003 nor am I surprised at the PPM’s inaction. What is happening now is the same as then, it is only by a different means but will have the same end result and to my mind they are just a guilty because they did nothing then and are doing nothing now so it must be assumed that they agree. I hope that Charles Clifford has the good sense to disassociate himself from the PPM and join forces with others to start a new political party to give us another option. A party that cares about the Caymanian people and our welfare.
Chuckie thanks for leading this fight……it has made a difference and many of us appreciate your efforts. You are a real Caymanian.
Thank you for stopping the sale of the Government Administration Building Mr. Clifford. Thats certainly a win for the people.
I am disappointed in the cancellation of the march though because the Immigration issues are so much more important to Caymanians…..but we do understand that you cannot acheive this alone.
Thank you for trying……the people must now make their views known to the UDP and the PPM…..call the talk shows….write letters to the newspapers……write on the blogs….keep the pressure on people !
The Chuckster is the only one that is prepared to stand up to Mac……and boy do we need someone to stand up to him !
Thanks Mr. Clifford. It shows that you are a true leader prepared to put country before party.
That’s an interesting lookin neck tie chuckie has on the photo.
Oh well, PPM rejects Chuckie – and Joey Ebanks, and Alfonso, and Ozzy – talk a bout a cookie crumbling.
There isn’t a thing wrong with his necktie. He’s too good of a person to join up with them band of suspect cohorts.
I know who you are. You bit yourself in the butt.
Leave Chuckie, Alfonso, and Ozzy out of your impetuous statements and actions.You did it all to yourself.
PPM-Sept.3rd 1998-March 11th 2010………..RIP
You seem to be confused. Other than those which briefly existed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the first political party formed was the UDP in 2001 at the time of the coup against Kurt. The PPM then followed suit. Rumours of their death are greatly exaggerated. At this point they are at least as popular as the UDP.
There’s nothing to stop the people of Cayman (both Caymanian and Ex Pat) from marching despite Chuckie & the PPM’s withdrawal. Forget marching for the building, but you can stil march if there’s something you feel strongly about, and I would suggest that should be the rampant crime on this island.
How about marching against illiteracy? Too many people on here can’t spell and don’t know subject and verb agreement lol.
chuckie you disappoint me i thought that this march was about the country not the parties even if kurt do not support you it should still go on you know that we cannot trust kirk and alden. just remember the last election when refused to challenged the two canidates from bt no guts, no leadership, cannot make decision. at lease mack might make foolish desitions but he make them, even if he has go back on them i say lest march and keep the leader under preasure, when he is under preasure he keep backtracking on every thing he promise. this goes to show that we do not have any leaders in this country. kurt and mac need to throw in the towel and let other people that has more ability toke over NOT ALDEN THOUGH
Oh man, this UDP bunch are a strange lot! They talk when there is mention of a march, & they talk when the march is postponed! What the XXXX do they want? The UDP & their leadership CANNOT make up their minds!
The PPM finally realized that the march was all about "chuckie" and the consequencies being a proposed drastic cut in the civil service which by the way grew 30% under the PPM.
About time Alden.
“I encourage the PPM leadership to reconsider their position on this matter"
Now I know Chuckie is trying to fool the people again…there is no such thing as "leadership" in the PPM…..who is he asking to reconsider? Who is he appealing to?
And I suppose the UDP have leadership? Oh I’m sorry, a dictator is still a leader, my bad! However, I’d prefer the honest leadership of the PPM to the dictatorial type leadership of the UDP.
Give me honesty over corruption!
WHY IS HE GETTING PAID FOR ANY WAYS???
Look for more representatives past and present and retirees and more big names like him that can afford another cut to their salaries or make them work on comission to help fix the mes that they helped get the country in.
They should understand that due to the situation with the economy and the need of the peoples no one is happy with the kind of pay they getting and we should not and can not afford to pay them BIG MONEY at the end of each month.
Also is fair that the Civil service workers can get full benefit from CINICO,but it would help a lot if only their dependant children’s get the service for free ,maybe the non caymanian’s parents could help by just paying a small fee to cover at least the Dr’s appointment,the Caymanian’s for free and for all Caymanian’s and non Caymanian’s spouses they all should pay a fee.
WHAT IS HE GETTING PAID FOR AGAIN???
Thanks Chuckie…for taking the lead, once again, to stand up to Mac. This time for Mac’s hair-brained solution to sell the Govt. building (to then turn around and rent it back). Wonder who that move would have benifitted?
THANK YOU CHUCKIE
For seeing that it doesn’t make sense to take a stance when the UDP has not taken one themselves, because of the constant amendments and changes they have to make due to this complex economic situation.
Maybe at another time – if it is a LIFE AND DEATH situation, your stance will be a true stance!
Peace
what a joke.
As a PPM supporter, I am also very disappointed in the PPM. There are far too many reasons for us to march against the current goverment.
For the first time, believe that we need a 3rd party in Cayman…one that is infused with strong-hearted fresh Caymanian blood.
Chuckie, I support you. There has never been a time, in my view, where you have not stood up for the greater good.
Well! Isn’t this just classic! Politicians backing off because the visible and tangible object (the new Government building) is seemingly safe, but refusing to continue the protest of a questionable immigration policy that is "intangible". Typical Cayman politics! If they can’t see it, feel it or touch it, it’s not important, it doesn’t count.
The cancellation of this march, in principle, is what is wrong with Cayman.
As usual, economics is all important. Education and those sorts of things take second place to the economy.The result is a lot of ignorant unskilled people driving around in oversized SUVs owned by the bank and living in oversized homes owned by the Bank and going to token jobs which are really done by expatriates.. Good luck Cayman.
Chuckie you gave me false hope. Our most intelligent politician right now in this island is hosting a radio show. Gilbert we need you, the country needs you, please lead this march, overthrow this government and put us back on track.
Mr. Clifford this should show you and the rest of the people of this country that we can not depend on those that we the people elect to repersent us. I for one feel that the march show happen with or without the support of either party. Because each and every one of them is just alike. It’s time for the people of this counrty to stand up and take charge because if we continue to let these so call leaders do what they are doing it’s not too long before this counrty goes belly up. Wake Up CAYMANIANS before its too late.
WHAT! I’m dissapointed in the PPM. So if Mac doesn’t decide to sell the Government building, he still needs to go. Can’t we skip the march and head straight for the referendum?? Selling that building is really the least of or worries…
"This issue is important, not just to Caymanians but to everyone living and working in the Cayman Islands because if these policy changes are allowed to stand the ultimate result will be a deterioration of our social harmony, which is a significant part of the foundation for our success and attractiveness as a country,” Clifford warned. “This effort is about allowing everyone living and working here to continue to succeed and ensuring that our economic pillars of financial services and tourism continue to flourish". This statement alone shows once again that the PPM do not have their fingers on the pulse of the community. The social disharmony which is now being inflicted upon the Cayman Islands is not as a result of immigration policy changes. It is as a result of bad parenting by Caymanians and the onslaught on the get rich quick mentality ofsome of our young me who feel that it is better to sell drugs and walk around like they are gangsters rather than getting a proper education and having a career and making themselves a part of the building of this great country. Mr. Clifford please stop with the blame game. We are long past that stage right now. Everyone who lives and works in the Cayman Islands do so because they want to and they love this country. No expatriate is here because they want to see the Cayman Islands fail. No expatriate is here because they want to take over the running of the country. Every expatriate who is here, whether they are wealthy or not, is here because they want to be here. The social harmony of which you speak is here. You just need to go into the offices, bars, cafeteria, clubs etc and see for yourself that Caymanians and expats do mix and mingle. During Pirates Week expats take part in the festivities. They are out there helping to build floats. Expats join service clubs and volunteer, not because they want PR but because they want to be a part of the community in which they live. I lived in Cayman for 7 years and was recently given my walking papers. I still love the country and hope to be back after my 1 year is up. During the time that I was there I volunteered at the Pines, taught inmates at Northward, did the whole Batabano thing, drove all over Cayman during Pirates Week and the district days just to be able to eat turtle stew and all the other offerings from each district. I volunteered with Legal Befrienders and walked every year during the Silent Witness March. I also bought a house there as well. I left because they law said I had to leave but even if I was allowed to stay I would not have used that privilege to try and create social disharmony. Many of my friends are Caymanians and I still communicate with them. You, Mr. Clifford and your colleagues are unfortunately the ones who have promoted social disharmony with your policies and what you offer to the public in terms of discussion. The time for pointing fingers is over.
The UDP have successfully told the people that the PPM is anti-expatriate. That is simply not true. The PPM is pro-Caymanian and realise the problems that are caused by bad expat and Caymanian relations.
I have to wonder why the UDP like to cause problems between Caymanians and expats. I was speaking someone who is not connected to either party and is well connected to the finance industry. They are an expat in management and told me that they did not have any problems with the previous immigration policies and neither did any of the other managers he knew in the industry.
It is my view that the UDP are the ones who are making things bad between expats and Caymanians. They gave away 3000 status grants against the will of the people in 2003 and now today they giving away key employee status easir than it should be and key employee leads to status over time. The UDP are the ones causing the social disharmony.
Mr. Clifford can’t seem to get over the fact that the people did not vote him back in and is constantly trying to get himself in the limelight. You and your party the PPM did enough damage to this country Mr. Clifford. Please go and find yourself a job and get out of politics as you will never be in there again. I laughed so much when you said on the radio that the march would not proceed as you have already "won" with the cancellation of the GOA divestment. You forget that we would not be in this position if you and the PPM had not irresponsibly overspent! Why don’t you acknowledge that first? Only then might you be able to gain some respect from the people you so let down. All you have now are followers that are as blind as you.
Mr Clifford, I think it is time you stand on a Hill Top and watch all parties concerned. Christ was denied by Peter and sold by Judas.
However, In doing so, please keep in mind that you are still from the district of Bodden Town which includes Savannah, breakers, and Central BT.
What s most important is paying attention to your own back yard, before cleaning someone,s else. That means, payng attention to your own district. You do not have to be an MLA to stay in touch. Yo have all the time in the world now to get all hands on deck.
I am going to be very frank and say this:- Before election, wannabes politiians were waking up people morning noon and night with promises of this and that. After they were elected, no one sees them anymore. They hold private meetings at their buddies homes . Those that did not get elected you dont see them either. So what does that prove………?
I live in this district, and the only time I see those that were elected, is when somebody dies. At a funeral. Those who wanted to be elected is also not seen. So will someone tell me why they wanted to run in the first place. Now is the time to show the people, that it is not entirely about winning n election,……………. but what you can do after loosing. Now there is always an excuse, why they cannot assist with something in the distict. Organize a youth club, or a seniors club. Organize cleanup days, check on locked up government buildings, rottenig down, Question why they cannot be used sold or taken down. Get input from people in the district. I am not a wannabe but I wll help if asked.
Sorry, I am not about to suport any party anymore unless I see them proving that they mean well. That is also my democratic right. Blessed
I think everybody agrees that there are bigger issues to address in Cayman than just stroking one mans ego.
Why not march against crime or wife-bashing, both of which are rampant amongst Caymanians? Because most people would only be bothered to do something if they could see a direct monetary gain, not for the good of society.
hahaha… go back to sleep chuckie… maybe for for the first time, ppm are starting to understand that they are responsible for the mess the island is in right now…..
Oh yeah Chuckie! Sit down and shut up!!!
If the sale of the Government Admin. Building was the only reason for this march, PPM you are sad and no wiser than the UDP.
poor Chuckie! you know things are bad when not even Kurt or Alden will stand up with you. Call it a day and try to find a real job. I think your time with politics is over. Both the UDP and the PPM have rejected you and I doubt you’ll get Ezzard out there to be a "rabble rouser."
I have a sneaking feeling that you are a certain jealous person who continually gets rejected because of his own actions…I could be wrong though.