UDP split on support for Bush

| 18/12/2012

_DSC8108-web-1.jpg(CNS): In the face of mounting rumour and speculation Monday, members of the United Democratic Party caucus spent the day flip-flopping over their decision to withdraw support for the premier in the wake of his arrest last Tuesday, sources close to the party told CNS. There was still no official word from the UDP almost a week after the arrest and the beleaguered premier also remained silent on the cracks in loyalty to him, but UDP backbencher Ellio Solomon publicly stated that he was backing McKeeva Bush in his decision to remain in office. With the party split down the middle over his refusal to step down, the caucus was unable to retain a united front. As a result, Cayman is now likely to face an early general election and could be going to the polls in March.

The premier and his supporters cannot count on all of the UDP members to defeat a no confidence vote and those who have declared against the premier cannot reform government without all eight standing together, leaving Cabinet members and the UDP mute.

The governor’s office has stated that it has received no word from either side. The office confirmed to CNS Monday that it had not heard anything from the party membership or the premier about the situation and until the governor heard from one or the other, the premier remained in charge of the Cayman government.

The premier was arrested on Tuesday 11 December on suspicion of theft and various offences under the anti-corruption law in relation to the alleged misuse of a government credit card and the importation of dynamite by Midland Acres without the correct permit. Since then, the UDP government has been silent about whether or not the party remained behind him. However, caucus members, with the exception of Solomon, handed Bush a letter this weekend asking him to step aside until the police investigation into corruption was concluded.

Bush was released on Thursday on police bail until February. Following his departure to Jamaica last Thursday, he issued a statement confirming that he had no intentions of resigning. The premier has maintained that he is innocent of all allegations and planned to remain as the Cayman Islands premier but his colleagues appear to be hopelessly split over their support for the party leader. Although Bush insists he is staying, the UDP caucus does have the power to oust him, but so far the eight remaining Cabinet members and back benchers have been in turmoil and have failed to use that power.

Throughout the weekend and all of Monday at least four members of the UDP caucus have flip-flopped over their support for the premier, with three members solid in their opposition and only one solid in support. 

By Monday evening there was still no word from Cabinet, caucus or the party’s general council and only Solomon spoke up publicly for Bush, saying in an interview with Cayman27 that he supported the premier remaining in office and had not signed the letter. However, sources tell CNS that Solomon’s continued support for Bush is because the rest of his party colleagues refused to sanction him taking a Cabinet post rather than any genuine support for the UDP boss and political veteran.

The indecision of the UDP leaves the country in crisis as the premier was reportedly insisting he was not resigning Monday. While he clearly no longer carries the cross-rank support he had managed to maintain since last summer when the police interest in him was revealed, the party membership has still not been brave enough to oust their leader. With the UDP split, neither group will be able to command a majority and the government is increasingly likely to fall before Christmas, triggering elections within ten weeks.

Bush himself remained silent Monday, despite stating that he planned to deliver a statement to the people in the evening. He was said to have accused his party colleagues of stabbing him in the back and that he would not be resigning but was taking some time off on the advice of his doctor until Cabinet reconvened in January.

He was, however, spotted at a charity football event in the evening while his West Bay political colleagues were unable to join him as they remained locked behind closed doors wrangling over who would and who wouldn’t stand by the UDP leader.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I dont care who runs the country as long as its the right way, shake my head at some of the comments, Mckeeva or not the right thing to do is have real proof evidence before dragging peoples name all over the world,speculations are not proof and so until proven guily i think its wrong and law makers disappoint me in their decision, and frankly if memory serve me well all of the politions had problems with the law and corruptions, who havent stole money, who havent drink and drive, who fight and in drama like them have no self respect, and they are the people now pointing finger on the man, and lastly i hope all of who passing judgment know their real friends, and hope if trouble catch you or your back against the wall they dont let you down, its easy to judge when your not in the situation!

  2. Anonymous says:

    I cannot wait to see the back of Elio Solomon, he was an arrogant little fop if I ever saw one. Good riddance UDP I hope you enjoyed your free ride, but its finally over and back to earning a "real"  living like the rest of us.   BTW I am a young educated Caymanian.

    • Anon says:

      It sounds like the reason you're upset is because all Ellio has ever shown the likes of you is his back.

      If you were educated you would know Ellio has done more in his first term than most others – what has Alden done in the last four years, except flap his lips and a motion on green iguanas.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Thank you Elio. With your non-sense wisdom, there will be early election and both your boss and you will be thrown out. Finally.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Elio and McKeeva…..both are done politically. Who would vote for them again, beside a fool?

  5. Knot S Smart says:

    Poor Ellio is the same thing Connor was in Mobile…

    I hear they were planning to make him Speaker of the House – but the word Speaker was written in disappearing ink and the plan was to change the word 'Speaker' with the word 'Sweeper'…

  6. Anonymous says:

    You better apply back for rooster from now! I am a GT voter & myself and I know the majority of my GT has made their minds on your actions!

    GT Voter

  7. Anonymous says:

    GOOOOOOOOOOO FOOOOOOOOOOOOLIO !!!!!

    Go on boy, stand by your man.

    You're going down in the sinkin boat with Big Mac, and you'll be the one he'll command to bail the water outta that sinkin boat until you both go under.

    Happy Holidays.

    • Anonymous says:

      The thing is Ellio did not act out of undying loyalty for McKeeva but due to the fact that the others would not give in to his demand for a Cabinet seat. He just did not get his 30 pieces of silver. We've seen what you are made of Ellio, and you can kiss your seat goodbye.  

      • Anon says:

        Funny – Mike confirmed that Ellio was offered a Ministerial position as a part of the reshuffle – and that offer was supported by Capt Eugene, Juliana, Rolston and Mike.

        So chatting crap.

        • Anonymous says:

          Looky looky, where da boy come from and where he is today. At his age and getting a Minsterial position even if only for three months.

          Guess wha? Unna from George Town are the FOOOOOOLIOS that voted him into office. In da words of my 3 year old son, "DAH WAH YUH GET".

        • Anonymous says:

          Your story does not check out. Why would Capt. Eugene and Mike have supported a ministerial position for Ellio if they do not support removing McKeeva as premier? Are we supposed to believe that if only the others would have agreed for Ellio to be a Minister they would have supported removing McKeeva? Why would a half-educated nitwit who has not completed his first term as an MLA be offered a ministerial position over CG? Why would Capt. Eugene and Rolston support Ellio over their WB teammate of 12 years?    

          • Anonymous says:

            Knowing CG for 12 years allows them to know that he has nothing to offer over Ellio.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Poor Ellio, he put all his eggs in one basket, ie Mac's basket, so he really not got any other choice.

     

    Mike seems strangely quite though

    • Anonymous says:

      Isnt Mike AWLAYS quiet tho? No it's not unsual for him…..

    • Knot S Smart says:

      He could not even run a bar during this time when all of us are so stressed that all we can do is drink…

       

  9. Anonymous says:

    awwwwww…..poor little foolio…..too fool to see the rest of the rats leaving the sinking ship.  That's what you call fool.  adios foolio!

  10. Anonymous says:

    How about a new Government made up of Foolio as Premier and Captain Eugene as Deputy Premier and Finance Minister. Bet that bunch could solve all our problemas.

  11. Anonymous says:

    In Grand Cayman this is called leadership.  In the rest of the world its called pathetic.  Who in the world would hire these people to do anything for them?  Caymanians need to get more self respect.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This sad bunch were supposed to run the country, what we see now is that for all his faults, Bush is the only one with the power to make decisions, sadder still is that he has a complete lack of judgement, and in my opinion, extremely questionable moral values!

  13. Anonymous says:

    I am so bothered by all of this because the glaring facts are Party over Country every time. This is completely ridiculous. Then on the other hand I am disturbed by the timing of this arrest one week later and still no charges! This is completely unacceptable to me. This is the real crux of the problem if he was CHARGED then all this wrangling would be much harder to justify. Some points to ponder:
    * These offenses have been on the table for quite some time why now when no charges are imminent?
    * the Constitution was drafted by PPM , once again Party before Country because they were ensuring that Alden would never be kicked out.
    * UDP is actually spending more time arguing about who gets what power rather than what’s best for this Country!! Ughhh
    * The Governor and Comissioners FIRST loyalty is to the UK NOT to the Cayman Islands.
    * If the UK take over this Island we would have to implement tax immediately!

    At the end of the day this is a stark reminder how important your vote is. People please use it wisely.

    • Anonymous says:

      And you expect the Legal Department to decide the charges only ONE WEEK after thearrest? Are you serious? Do you follow how the legal department actually works? it can take them MONTHS to come back to the police department to advise what the charges, if any, will be. Then it will take a few more MONTHS to get a court date. Go sit in Summary Court one or two days and you will see the JOKE that this system is in our tiny nation.

    • Anonymous says:

      You must be appealing to disenchanted UDP voters if you think its possible to twist this in any way to be Party before Country issue.

       

      This clearly shows that the UDP is NOT a party, but a bunch on individuals who have collectively banded together in their own interest. McKeeva was the UDP, not the members, and once McKeeva crumbled everyone that was propping him up scrambled to grab what they could get from the scraps that are falling on the floor.

       

      If you think this has anything to do with party then explain why the rank and file party members (if there are any) have not held a meeting, or why their Chairman has not had anything to say. Quite clearly the 9 members of the UDP are making their own independent decisions as individuals without input from the Party. Isn't this exactly what C$C is advocating in the candidates that they will support?

  14. Another Anon says:

    One can't even make this crap up! It is a shame that these bafoons are providing us with Emmy Award winning entertainment at the expense of the reputation of these Islands. Thanks for the laughs UDP, but the show is OVER!

  15. The lone haranguer rides again! says:

    Ellio has been making some poor decisions lately.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Poor Poor Foolio.  They will not give him give him what he wants (a cabinet post) so he messes in eveybodys lunch box.  I guess we know where on the scale he rates country!

    • Anonymous says:

      They should have made him UDP Minister of Uneducation Dynamite and Propaganda.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Thank God they have self destruct!!!!  So much waste of the Country's monetary resources and so much waste of the people's expectation and votes.  West Bayers especially, I hope now you will cast your votes for members that will put Country first over what my country can do for me.  Mckeeva, hopefully he will fade away to the sunset, yes…with his pockets full of our money, but he will be gone.  Rolston needs redemption and CG will be a fool to hook up with those losers again. The Captain, your time has come to fade away too, so…West Bayers the trough is now empty, its time to start working and being normal citizens of your Island. Give back, so that others can survive. Goodbye UDP….You made good of it for yourselves.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Any thinker in either of these parties thought only of himself.
    This egomaniac told these bunch to jump and, as long as they stood to gain something, they only asked how high – let us not forget private parking lots paved with public funds in the Brac.  UDP and PPM steered the fair HMS Cayman Islands into another Wreck of the Ten Sails.  Anywhere we look we see unemployment; people are losing their homes to foreclosure and depression is rampant.  Social services is bankrupt and the bit of money it has is not reaching the Caymanians who really need it.  Immigration charges thousands of $$ for approved BSPs and then never enforce them.  And that "monument" being built where the Tower Building used to be… what purpose will that serve?!!  Waste of money!  We need only look at past winners of the YCLA to know that we have qualified, forward-thinking independents that can steer our islands back to the economic and social stability we urgently need with global vision.  I only hope they see past the stigma these two parties have attached to our national politics with their ineptness.

  19. Anonymous says:

    It shouldn't need this bunch of incompetent, greedy and power hungry fools to make that decision…they won't be able to because they're all in it together.

    Force House Speaker, Mary Lawrence  to call an emergency LA meeting and tender a vote of 'no confidence' in this entire UDP Government.

    It makes no sense to vote out McKeeva and leave ANY of this lot in power…sweep them ALL out at the same time.

    You won't have to bend Ezzard Miller's or Arden McLean's arm for a 'yes' vote…and Alden McLaughlin and his lot shouldn't need a lecture on what they need to do.

    Vote these UDP fools out of the government in a democratic vote of 'no confidence' and show them, once and for all, who is really in charge.

  20. GT Voter says:

     

    The UDP has simply imploded!! From its birth in 2001 the idea was to create a “Party” to “Unite” its people, for a better way forward. Instead it wrapped (from the beginning) it failed miserably due to it inconsistency for the good of the country. Their rendezvous and lack of discipline from its leader had to come to its end. It has weakened the young bloods that have come forth to its helm in 2009 to capture the great “Better Way Forward” and they too had consumed the greediness and dishonesty. It was like if, all had their own agenda.

    But look amongst those that have slipped out and now seeking to be part of something else. Those that too were the cause of this thing call UDP from its very institution in 2001/2009.

    They all flocked around a man that everyone like to say, “Only Mac can get it done right”. But “Getting it done right” never met “Right”, but for a few greedy rass.

    So, it caucus today has asked its master to step down is like telling a untrained grown dog to roll over or flitch the ball. Perhaps the UDP MLA’s and Ministers should have been wiser to have thought it as a puppy.

    It reminds me of what Aeschylus once said, “In every tyrant's heart there springs in the end this poison, that he cannot trust a friend”.

    So come May 2013; let's turn a new chapter for our people. 

    One Love!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      WRONG!!! In my most experienced and knowledgable opinion, from the inception of the UDP, the word "United" means that the UDP party would be UNITED as they were and had PROVEN to be throughout they ENTIRE tenure in our Sorrowful Politics.

      Additionally, the D & P in UDP stands for Destructive and Power-Hungry.

  21. Anonymous says:

    I certainly don’t define the Cayman Islands by the unfortunate behaviour of a few politicians (not exactly unheard of!) and I believe neither do the vast majority of others, in particular those who continue to invest in the confidence that its future is as bright as it has always been. Let’s not get too excited over this little drama. The world over countries experience moments of political “crisis”, but they pass and things carry on as sure as night follows day. Personally, when I have been listening to what might be considered the next generation of politicians, I have been much impressed with their willingness to discuss matters with a sense of decorum and genuine respect for the differing views of others, so that I am very hopeful for the future governance of our country.

  22. Anonymous says:

    UDP is the biggest bunch of bandits & cowards to ever run these islands! I would like to see you all eating from garbage cans long side Roodey lol!

    Caymanian

  23. Anonymous says:

    We should call UDP (cowards) instead! They don’t have a mind on their own! I hope you all sink in may 2013 UDP!

    Caymanian

  24. Anonymous says:

    No real surprise at the indecision of the UDP Cabinet members. They are a bunch of spineless weaklings. All they are doing is hiding behind closed doors. They called themselves the United Democratic Party but the don`t know the meaning of unity.  They never had to make any serious decision before. In the past, they just had to follow whatever Mac said. Time for elections to elect some real men and women who have guts and can speak for themselves.

  25. Iris says:

    This is not good news. What about doing what is right for the Country? Country first right? It’s the people that vote. Why do they continue to follow one man blindly? It’s like sheep to the slaughter . How sad for our beautiful Cayman. Can they really hope for reelection if this continues? Come on Government. Take a stand for your people and your Country.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Bye Bye Ellio. Good riddance Ellio.

  27. seesaw says:

    This is a joke! These people think they can continue toying with the future of our country. Well I got news for um, I na voting for anyone ever slightly affliliated with UDP…not you Mike! Not you Theresa! Not you Wally! Not you Jude! Not any of you who ever supported UDP in any way!! Looking out for your own interests is all you doing! Cuz you sure na representing me!

  28. Anonymous says:

    Well it certainly comes as no surprise of the famed politician we know as Foolio (Gag. Excuse me. I threw up in my mouth) to "pretend" to declare his loyalty to our now  beleagured premier. 

    I am disgusted by our elected leaders and for too long their silent consent. They have sat by and collectively did not posess the b@lls to do what was right for ourcountry. No one could stand up when it was announced that the premier was under investigation by the police, and distance, themselves and make the necessary moves to remove our first, and probably the most embaressing premier from office.

    I could rant away tonight, but it is late, and I would prefer to go go sleep.

    Good night fair Cayman. 

     

     

  29. Anonymous says:

    power hungry Elio messed things up once again. At least we see his true colors now, hopefully George Town don’t make the same mistake next May an elect this joker.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Well you got to understand that Foolio learned from his master that the first question you ask before you do something is "What's in it for me?". if the answer is nuttin, you call 'next'!

  31. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush you may have had good intentions and I believe you do care about the Cayman Islands and its people especially those in West Bay. However, the way you went about doing your job by completely ignoring the laws, controls and protocol leaves a lot to digest. You have found yourself in this position and you only have yourself to blame. You cannot run the country with a heavy handed fist and never be around to implement anything or see any project completed. You stood your ground and must now be held accountable for your actions and some may say inaction when it comes to turning around the economy. You led from your pocket and not from your head and heart. I am truly sorry for your downfall and the pieces you have left the Cayman Islands in. We the people will now have to pick up these pieces and hopefully with good leadership put the economy back on the road to recovery and prominence the islands once enjoyed.

     

  32. Anonymous says:

    I would like to vote tomorrow so we could show Keke & the other rest of the UDP who is charge this country!

    Braca

  33. BORN FREE says:

    One way or the other it is over! Goodbye MacChavez

    • Caymanian - Yup- bring on the accountants says:

      I remember Frist Cayman Bank !!  and think ALL the politicians should be thrown out!. Do we really need this hand-out government or would we be better off with a Custos and an accounting department.   Do we really need to pay the sleeping opposition $85,000 per year to complain and the sitting governments even more for making us an international laughing stock?

      The last time I looked our human rights were going in the right direction and if we took a fraction of the UDP & PPM party politics spending we could send every Caymanian child to a top university on a free ride if only we spent our money on education instread of trips to Qatar And Spain.

      No more cronyism.  Let's run a country on business and get rid of this politician posturing.

       

  34. Anonymous says:

    although it may be too little too late for all the udp members…..they must cut ties with mckeeve if they want to retain even a faint chance of re-election…..

    as for elio….thankfully he is history….. now he can go back  to his 'degree studies'

  35. Anonymous says:

    cannot wait till elio gets whats coming to him……..

  36. Anonymous says:

    Elio’s style of politics and mother tongue make him perfectly suitable to be Castro’s underling.

    • Anonymous says:

      As a young Caymanian I will be the first to say that I take that as an insult to Castro.

       

      Despite his controversial methods, Castro managed to provide enviable universal medical care, invested heavily into ensuring that ALL Cubans are educated, that they are fed, and that they have roofs over their heads. Not to mention that the people for the most part are very industrious, considerate, and selfless despite their relative situation to our own. We have bought into the lie that Castro's Cuba is hell on earth. What Castro refused to let continue was the rape of his country by wealthy foreigners, the exploitation of their women, and the heavy marginalization of the poor and those who had the 'misfortune' of not being White. He at least acted in the interests of his country and his people- for better or for worse. I'll just also clarify before someone says it, I am not saying Cuba (or Castro) is perfect or even ideal but I think there's alot we as a country can learn from them in those regards.

       

      This fool Elio doesn't know the first thing about acting for the country. Actually, let me rephrase that, few people here know the first thing about that. Love him or hate him, at least think before you make such bold statements- things are not so black and white. Also, the fact so many people agreed with your simplistic statement indicates that you are not alone in this way of thinking. What Cuba lacks is excess- excess that got this country into the state it is in today. Greedy, pathetic politicians, apathetic public who likes to cry but too comfortable to get up and actually do something, and then when you start having people go missing, people being shot up on the street, and somuch bitterness and disharmony among the people we ask why.

      • anonymous says:

        thats right youth man,Tell it to them ignorant, misinformed jokers

      • Anonymous says:

        Funny, I don’t see the boats flocking to Cuba. You wouldn’t happen to be biased in any way?

  37. Anonymous says:

    No post for foolio

    I dont want to play with you anymore I want to play with keke

    hahahahahahahaha

    UDP you are a joke and cowardly to boot

    • Anonymous says:

      IF you paid attention you would know that Ellio was offered a Ministerial position as part of this proposed reshuffle, which was supported by the majority.

      So stop saying things in complete ignorance.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Elio is so stupid, he doesn’t see that he’s finished, for good, in five months.

    • Anonymous says:

      …or less.

      • Anonymous says:

        I think Ellio did the right thing.

        The no confidence motion was against the Government as a whole – how could he support that if he has confidence in what he was doing?

        The five ex-members of the UDP believed that they had no confidence in themselves and therefore voted out the Government.

        This is complicated to understand, so read before you write any more.

  39. Student 17 says:

    Can't wait to be apart of the voting population that removes UDP from power. I cannot wait to vote, and I'm just a commoner in high school. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Who do you think you will vote for in the next general election?

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are a commoner in high school then you should vote for the UDP – you have your free lunch because of them.

  40. Anonymous says:

    It should never be hard to do the right thing, unless you are fundamentally flawed, both morally and ethically. The UDP seems to be finding it hard, much too hard.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Typical UDP cannot make a decision!

  42. Anonymous says:

    The spin-doctor didn’t need to speak for us to know where he stands.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ellio is great.

      He can communicate with such clarity that even a fool like you will understand what he's saying without him saying a word.