PPM to make late start
(CNS): As the United Democratic Party and most of the Independent candidates begin their campaigns in earnest, the ruling People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) is not due to take to the hustings until 7 April. The party, which managed a clean sweep in the 2005 General Election with all nine candidates taking seats, will open its campaign with a national rally in George Town where its nine former members of the Legislative Assembly and one new candidate will begin the bid for re-election.
Speaking at Thursday’s regular press briefing, an initiative introduced by the PPM government which they say could disappear under another administration, ministers said that while there are obvious advantages to campaigning as the incumbents, being in office also offers distinct disadvantages.
“We are at a tremendous disadvantage,” said Minister Alden McLaughlin. “We need to be in our offices working while the other people running for office are out there whistling and blowing and running a campaign.” He said that while other election contenders were able to take to the hustings the incumbents still had to run the country.
His sentiments were echoed by Minster for Communication and Works Arden McLean, who said the country doesn’t stop for two months. “Someone still needs to represent the people within government,” he added
Critics have also noted that the weekly publicly funded briefings could be considered an election advantage, but Leader of Government BusinessKurt Tibbetts said that this was not the case as the press briefing was not used to ask people to vote for the PPM but to report on developments within government and answer media questions.
“We are very careful not to use this as a campaign platform,” said Tbbetts. We are conscious of the fact that it is government money that pays for this and we will not use if for that purpose.
McLean also noted that the people would be well aware once the campaign started. “This is not campaigning, believe me you will soon see a difference between campaigning and the press briefings,” he added.
Facing the polls at a difficult time, not least due to the global economic slow down and intense pressure from the G20 nations regarding the country’s position as an offshore financial services centre, the government will be facing an uphill battle. However, the incumbents say they will be able to compare their election promises in their 2005 manifesto to the things that have been achieved giving voters a tangible yardstick. One minister recentlystated that more than 90% of the promises made have been met.
The PPM’s first public meeting will take place on North Sound Road on the lot next to the Compass Centre at 7:30pmon 7 April. However, the party’s National Council Meeting takes place this Saturday at Pedro St James starting at 6:30 pm.
Category: Election 2009
Just a a look at the above picture of the PPM and that is where you will find the circus. Because since they have taken office the People of Cayman have been on a constant Merry-Go-Round.
The circus is in town!
There was a mass exodus of people from the UDP last time and all sorts of finger pointing. So I would not be surprised if the same thing happens with the PPM when they are not elected. Just sit back and watch.
I’m also surprised that young people like the Pearlina and Jon have left promising careers to joing up with this circus!
PPM – All about re-election:
The press briefings are being used by the PPM as a campaign vehicle. They are fully aware that by using the briefing, they are able to steer the press/headlines of he day.
The Government in fairness could allow the media access to the relevant department heads/cabinet secretary for whatever information is needed. They say they’re not campaigning yet they use it to grandstand on how they are at a disadvantage politically (Campaigning?) The PPM elected officials have used every dollar of our money to campaign to be re-elected, not because they care – from the buildings of schools, roads, 630 plus on hero’s day, constitution paraphernalia, and definitely the briefings.
I am disappointed how the media is allowing themselves to be used like this, it’s starting to remind me of a socialist state.
."………….we started with money in the pot, we are now down to minus 30 million and counting. You are digging us deeper. By the time you get your five year plan in we will be six feet under AND BURIED……….."
No, you started off with 90 million plus, you now have 650 million plus in the red and you fall short of 30 million in your revenues to even pay your bills – what kind of five year plan is that?
We are now down to 6 ft – all we have to do now is vote the PPM in again and we will be shoveling the dirt on our heads! We are all dead.
Maybe you shoul dhave listened to the Press Briefing yesterday by the Governent and get educated on the financials of the Government. I can see from what you r writing that UDP has you fooled.
Obama just got in – how could he have caused a crisis that has been in the makings for years? He’s trying to clean things up.
Oh goodness, not another plan by the PPM government. You had one eighteen months ago as well. Please give the people a break. We are broke because of the PPM’s wonderful five year plan. We are without jobs, we can barely put food on the table, CUC is shutting our electrical off left, right and centre, we can’t afford to have a graduation for our kids, we are having our homes mortgages recalled.
Please PPM no more planning, we started with money in the pot, we are now down to minus 30 million and counting. You are digging us deeper. By the time you get your five year plan in we will be six feet under AND BURIED.
So please – no more plans.
I support the PPM all the way, someoe who can go and represent Cayman any where in the world with Class and education.
The UDP has the equivelent, actually more diversity that the PPM – Two lawyers that’s all you got.
We will all have an Obama sized surprise when the Independents take over. The party is OVER Cayman – we did not want a party 4 years ago and we do not want the parties now.
caymanians save our country go GREEN vote UDP..
congrats PPM late again great planning 7th of april many off island for easter .
Take all the PPM OUT…. And the UDP so that we can get our beautiful Cayman Islands but to some sort of life here.
Of all the Governments in Cayman, this is the first time in all our quincentenial years that we have a Bankrupt Government.
So to be a fool and vote for Kurt Tibbetts, Alden McLaughlin and all the PPM and the UDP members presently in Government will be Nothing but disaster for our Cayman Islands.
As McKeeva Bush had told US on the world wide web and the Media of Cayman Islands… Dont vote for the Constitution because it was a Power Grab, that the Premier was a doorstep for Independence and the list goes on and on , so that is why we Donot Vote for the PPM and the UDP as they will only be for the "Power Grab" in the Constitution. And the Bill of Rights will never be a Human Rights, so we wont have Human Rights neither.
WE NEED Change in our Government and a GOOD New Governor, not Mr. Jack, a New Governor.
Only For Caymanians
Why should Kurt have another chance..I like him, hes a nice guy..But I do believe that the Leader of the oppostion has more financial acumen and gut business sense and he actualy is a leader…not a dictator, but a leader…It is evident where Kurt has come up short…He is not an true leader, as he has allow the other ministers to be leaders of their OWN agenda, willy nilly ,rather than holding them in check in the important areas. As I look at the candidates for UDP, honestly, and individually, I do see that they are strong men and women in there own right, for the most part and truthfully haven’t shown to me that they are yes men. Government demands discipline and a common vision..So far the PPM has not shown that this is their strength..
Can you then give an explanation on why Gilbert is no longer part of the UDP. Nah! Mac felt he wanted power.
He likes ‘YES MEN’
Great! Go PPM and I will continue to support you.
People must start to realise that the Gov’t is not the only ones to blame for the financial issue, the global economy is in a crisis.
I would prefer KT over Mac. Mac is a dictator and does not have the intellectual skills capable of dealing with the countries international issues including financial. It is quite obvious he seeks out "YES MEN’ to run with him, as he cant tolerate anyone challanging him or displaying any independent thoughts.
I don’t have much to say regarding the independent candidates, the Cayman Islands is moving towards a party level. I don’t think they will stand a chance.
I’m confused…Is Edna running for something? Why is she in the picture with her clam diggers on? As mascot? I thought she was retiring.
I’m disappointment in Miss Edna’s choice of dress. The lady is usually such a sharp dresser. It’s unfortunate that she decided that this was the time to go casual. Bad choice of dress Miss Edna, you stand out like a sore thumb.
A late start, huh… PPM is trying to make the people of the Cayman Islands believe that they are actually doing something, I think it is kind of late for that now, don’t you think? They can’t clean up the mess that they have put this country in now before the elections.
As a previous poster said…It will be intereting to see…and I totally agree…30 million deficit projects started and none finished!!
PPM (Poor People’s Money) they need not start at all as far as I am concerned as IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE AND THE CHANGE IS NOW!!
Do you know what happens to people that live in glass houses???? Need I say more and I will say more at a later date.
Why don’t you tell the real reason why you haven’t starting campaigning yet? You’re nervous aren’t you? Like a certain party has stated, we are in the "RED’ because of "your government". God help us if we had another hurricane or other diaster over while you were in power, our people would be lying on the streets or walking around with shopping carts with all that is left of their possessions because they had no one to help them as the "other" government did. Tourism is suffering, our economy is suffering what else can you say to pursuade the voters to put your government back in? Cayman I pray you think hard and long about who goes into our government over the next 4 years, think about your children’s future, think about your grandchildren’s future, Pray, Cayman Pray, we need people who will lead us not decieve us…..
God Bless our beautiful Cayman Islands and I pray we make the best decision on May 20th that will lead our country in the right direction.
KT is perhaps the only person deserving a vote this time round (for his long standing service to the country), we owe no allegience to the others for they have not proven themselves to be of any use to the country on a whole, except for Arden, but anyone can pave roads.
KT should step down next time round, he has served his purpose as a back bencher/ opposition, but then again anyone can do that job. I think the PPM government has served their purpose of showing ther country WHAT NOT TO VOTE FOR IN THE FUTURE.
This government has made history – Worst Leader, worst management skills, worst FCO in the historty of the Cayman Islands – too many lawyers.
Everyone has a roll to play and the PPM has showed us that their’s is not in Managing this country. Sorry guys, but the truth is the truth. And as in law – lets work with the facts.
Oh for peets sake stop the bloody complaining. Be a man and get out there and run your campaign, not give reason why all others are out there and you are not. We do not want any more compalints and excuses. Be a man a take some action for once without the whinning. Do you not know that no-one likes to hear constant excuses, why you can’t do this and why you can’t do that.
So please no more. GET OF YOUR TUSH AND DO SOMETHING and please be quite about it. Jesus, you lot make me sick.
it will be interesting to see the 90% sucess rate they claim. no schools actually bult. No fiscal management (deficit of over 30million)
[will stop here as i dont want to take up too much space!]
Please read the world news. He is so great he caused the whole world fincancial problems. Do you think government work on a 4 year plan, no they have to put 5 year plan in place. So wait for the next four years when PPM get back in and see what they will do. I support the PPM all the way, someoe who can go and represent Cayman any where in the world with Class and education.
good to see the PPM getting started on the elections. i voted 3 terms for mr tibbets and i dont think i will stop that now. he is a good man. i dont really support any opf the othesr on his PPM team though aside from Mr Arden mclean who has done us some good jobs on the roads.
You go PPM we can do it again. I am a voter in Bodden Town and I will be voting for my PPM candidates, numbers 1, 3 & 4. I would advise the people of Bodden Town to do the same.
YOU CRAZY OR WA now you tell me what have Ossie, Charles and Anthony done for Bodden Towners Nothing more than to ridicule us when we have Ossie talking about Hand outs with people walking with 2 cellphones and coming to him and begging him if it wasn’t for the political party that they’re in that ran our country to the ground we as CAYMANIANS could do for ourselves and our Family. CAYMAN IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. come election day pray before you go to the polls and ask god for guidence on the right thing to to for the good of our country.
That’s a bit odd. In the not so distant past, the Ministers did indeed leave their offices, having shredded their papers, files etc, and left it to the Civil Service to run the country for a couple of months. It seemed to work quite well so why the change now?
“We are at a tremendous disadvantage,” said Minister Alden McLaughlin. “We need to be in our offices working while the other people running for office are out there whistling and blowing and running a campaign.” He said that while other election contenders were able to take to the hustings the incumbents still had to run the country.
His sentiments were echoed by Minster for Communication and Works Arden McLean, who said the country doesn’t stop for two months. “Someone still needs to represent the people within government,” he added
PPM is full of reasons why they cannot do anything – now they are at a disadvantage. What bolony. They are the Govenrment, they have their weekly press briefing (at the people’s expense), they have the media constantly at their beck and call. Come on PPM give us something new, we are tired of your complaing and moaning about everything.
Working?!?!? is that what Alden calls his piss poor management over the past 4 years?