Alden: Early election needed
(CNS): Following the successful recruitment of five UDP members to support and force a no confidence vote in government in the Legislative Assembly at 3pm today, (Tuesday) the opposition leader has said that while it will be possible for the splintered UDP to form a new government, the best outcome for the country would be early elections. Having successfully canvassed eleven signatures for an amended lack of confidence motion and triggered an emergency meeting of the House, Alden McLaughlin confirmed that the opposition benches have only agreed to support a reconstituted UDP administration by attending the LA to give any splintered group a quorum if necessary. However, he said all business brought by a stop-gap government would be treated on merit.
McLaughlin said the opposition has not agreed to form a coalition with the five members who are not supporting McKeeva Bush and that, as leader of the PPM, he was not interested in leading a government in these current circumstances. The opposition leader said it should now be up to the electorate to decide.
“We made it clear to the members of the UDP who are supporting the agreed motion that the opposition is not interested in forming a coalition government and I am not interested in becoming premier in the current circumstances,” McLaughlin told CNS Tuesday morning. "I believe an early election would be the best result from this debate.”
McLaughlin’s motion is seconded by Ezzard Miller and is expected to be debated at the revised time of 3pm in the Legislative Assembly today. With the backing of UDP members Juliana O’Connor Connolly, Rolston Anglin, Mark Scotland, Cline Glidden and Dwayne Seymour, the motion will carry and the present government led by McKeeva Bush will fall. It is then up to the UDP in discussion with the governor how they will reconstitute the government and who will play what role.
However, if the majority splinter group opposed to supporting Bush cannot gain the support of the remaining UDP members who will not support the no confidence motion, it may not be able to reform a majority government. In that case the governor may call early elections or the group could limp on until March, when the House will be dissolved ahead of the planned May general election.
The opposition leader said that whatever the outcome, it was untenable for the premier to stay in office while being on police bail following his arrest on a suspicion of a number of criminal allegations, including theft and several offences under the anti-corruption law.
Bush has remained steadfast in his decision not to resign as he has categorically stated he has done nothing wrong. So far, while Bush has been arrested on serious allegations and while police have seized computer, books and documents from his home and office as part of the enquiry, no charges have been laid.
“The people of the country should be reassured that what is being done is not being embarked upon lightly,” the opposition leader said. “We understand the gravity of the situation and this is not an easy thing for anyone. No one wants to see a government fall this way and we had been keen to give the current administration the chance to change their leadership without controversy and drama.
“But it is clear that Mr Bush won’t resign and there is no unanimity in the party to force the change. It is untenable for the premier to remain in office while on police bail for serious offences, so we have no alternative,” he added.
The historic debate is expected to take place this afternoon in the Legislative Assembly and it is expected to be broadcast on government’s new television channel.
Check CNS for any changes to the current 1pm start time or other breaking news relating to the current government crisis.
Vote in the CNS Online Poll: How should the political crisis following the premier's arrest be resolved?
Category: Politics
CNS, should we do an online poll now –
1. British Takeover
2. Early Elections
3. Coalition Government
4. I don't care
Alden and his cronies better mind that they didn't create a stage for a British takeover!
What rubbish. You should have been concerned about a British takeover while McKeeva was in power as it was far more likely then.
Mr Alden McLaughlin, will you please explain to the people of Cayman why you are calling for an early election. Man for Pete's sake the country is still in a humdrum ofer what has taken place with the Premier, upsetting the whole Island and off island. Do you Mr Alden McLaughlin realize how much it will cost to call an eatrly election? What is the motive behind it. POWER? Please give the People and the Island sometime to heal and let the dirt settle. I do not think it is the wisest thing now to do to call an early election. People need time to prepare, Government need time to prepare> The Island is confused, some hurting some sad, some glad, and still there are those of you who don't care a rat behind how people feel. I am feareful that there are going to be consequences to pay, the houre clock is running.
1000x better than UDP.
Opposition finally has an opinion?
How convenient…
Alden continues to operate on this policy of wait and see what’s the most popular option : he is incapable of making a decision and won’t do anything unless he knows he has ‘company’
Weak and soft do not a good leader make!
Next, please
Alden we have confidence in your leadership. I know you said you don't want to be the Premier, but I believe you will make a great Premier. With honour and intregrity too. That is the kind of leadership our Islands needs and it puzzles me why some people hates you, when all you have ever did was to do good for these Islands. Thank you for putting those laws in place, thank you for the Constitution, the Ant-Corruption law, the Bill of Rights law and the Human Rights law, thank you. Thank you for the schools, the CIG Buildings, the Roads, the Boxing Gym, the Traffic Dept., thank you and the PPM for what you all did. I cannot recall ever hearing any scandals about unnah, you guys did it in a short time, you did it right, but I am grateful. Yes, the economic downturn came at an unfortunate time, but what it did it tied McKeeva heavy hands of unnecessary spending on perks and other personal things. Thank you Mr. Alden, Mr. Tibbetts, Mr. McLean, Mr. Clifford and other PPM. Thank you.
Calling for early Elections?? You better check to see if we have a legally appointed Supervisor of Elections and deputy …… Read the election Law. KG no longer a Civil Servantso how he can be supervisor????
In my opinion calling for an early election is not the best option. The PPM and UDP members who finally came to their senses and voted to oust Bush should try to join hands and uphold one another and keep the government running until the currently designated election day. (Kinda like the "good ol' days!) If it is possible, formation of a coalition government would be the ideal test of the ability of the PPM and splintered UDP to put party affiliations and former differences behind them and truly do what is best for the country. Then we can judge by their unity, goodwill, and wise decisions who among them is deserving of being returned to office in the next elections.
The "time-out" from the usual posturing of party politics could be a good thing for both the Islands and the electorate. Everyone from both sides would have the opportunity to catch their breath and focus on establishing a new beginning for the Cayman Islands in a spirit of unity and healing. Having elections as presently scheduled would give new voters a chance to get up to speed on the politics and have their voices heard.
If successful, a co-operative government would a good demonstration to the world that the Cayman Islands are stable and still possessed of leaders of goodwill and wisdom. I would like to think that this is true.
Since you have ousted the Premier, there's not much of a choice.
The only sound leadership I see pending now is Mr. Ezzard MILLER.
Alden McLaughlin wants an easy ride in on his white horse! That he dos not deserve!
Ezzard is the man for Premier and Arden McLean should be Deputy Premier. Not Rolston Anglin, we do not need a drunken Deputy premier, it will only orchestrate embrrassment.
Alden may lack a bit in the charismatic personality dept. but I know of no questions about his integrity!
And he has long ago admitted to his regrets with regards to negociations with 09 Constitution…which were demanded by UDP and Private Sector, in particular the churches. That he intends to work to strengthen the Constitution and give us the people more power/rights.
Mac on the other hand has done nothing but give himself and entourage perks and blame everyone else for his own glaring shortcomings and unwillingness to even give the impression of acting/behaving with integrity!
Such a shame that Alden is such a dull speaker. I'm falling asleep. At least Mac is entertaining, even if he is a XXXXX.
These are grave matters, not an occasion for entertainment, you idiot. Sensible people were wide awake.
Grave matters? Nah, it is just a soap opera. Funny stuff.
I hope that at least you are not Caymanian.
Alden…always the opportunist! does he really think he is going to be the next Premier?
As long as it's not McKeeva we're happy.
Let's see if Alden wins in George Town first. A vote to give Kurt more support in the LA and a vote to make Alden Leader of the Country………………… Two different votes, one ok to be under Kurt, however to Lead big difference.
he sure as hell won't get my vote! I'm glad they voted McKeeva out as Premier, I think that was the right thing to do but I sure don't have confidence that Alden would be the right one to lead this country.
I think one of the problems with this government is that they feel each as brothers and friends and forget that they are actually co-workers for the people of the Cayman Islands. When they talk about stabbing in the back and standing up for etc. it sounds like a family argument. This is a business and you all need to start taking care of business and put personal friendships and feelings aside. Think of whats good for the country and stop worring about upsetting your friends all ready.
What a debacle. I wouldn't count on the UDP members supporting the no-confidence vote until they actually do it. JOCC & co are only trying to figure out how to get the best outcome for themselves; the welfare of the country is a long, long, long way down their list of priorities.
UDP has treated being in government like like it was an all-you-can-eat buffet with free plane tickets, money and jobs for their friends. They have been a total disgrace and they deserve to be consigned to political oblivion as soon as possible.
I hope the first thing PPM do when they get in is conduct a forensic audit of government spending since 2009.
Are you expecting ppm to understand fiscal responsibility LOL
No records, no audits. The finance minister was paid well to do this.
Early elections risks disenfranchising all of the Caymanian people that have come out of the woodwork to register by January deadline for what everyone assumed would be a May general election. If an early election is called, these voters will need to be ratified by special gazette to be counted. No new parties will have time to organize, and we will be stuck with the same voters voting for the same bandits.
I agree with Alden!!! Let us voters decide!!!
(You people talking about Alden hungry for power don't have no sense. If he was hungry for power he would broker the deal with the UDP dissenters that they want!)
Isn't there anyone else besides Alden McLaughlin to replace Premier Bush? We are just replacing one satan with the next and in time the people of these islands will see that Mr. Bush was the lesser of the two satans. This is all so embarrassing!!!!!!!!!!OMG
at 14:30
Ezzard Miller!! He sets you on the line! I have come to like his style. He's no easy sell out for Caymanians tha's standing in front doors of business looking and standing up for jobs based on our disfunctional wased up Immigration system and 1900's labor laws with gum!
Its going to get worst before its better guys….but Ez change that!
– George Towner – for Caymanians 100 %
I am no Alden fan but what exactly makes Alden "a greater Satan"? That he overspent on some badly needed infrastructure? Is there any reason to believe he is corrupt? Is he an embarassment on the international stage? Please. McKeeva is a cancer in this country's system that needs to be cut out. He and is kind are destroying this country. It is ridiculous to even compare the two.
The reasoning for the call for an early election is so transparent, or am I just jaded?
Both. You are jaded and strike when the iron is hot.
yup, not that I care if election is early but politics….
'drop it like (while) it hot'
Yes, the reasoning is transparent: to elect a new govt which enjoys the support of the people to stabilise the country since it is obviously floundering at the moment.
Unfortunately Alden can taste the premiership and can’t wait. You have to wait and let the people decide. Seriously.
If Kurt does not run then Alden will not get win a seat in GT much less Premiership
I never voted for Kurt. I made the grave error of voting for Alden last election but personally I will not vote for either of them next year nor will I vote for UDP! I will definitely be voting independent. I hope Jude Scott declares because he will be one to get my vote!
Why was it a grave error to have voted for him in 2009? Please don't tell me about spending money on the schools because that all happened prior to the elections.
Does anybody know if there is any money left in McKeeva's Nation Building Fund?
The remainder was used for Bail money
This is the first time I heard alden say anything with sense!! call election now west bay will still return BUSH.
If you think returning Bush makes sense then the problem is with you, not Alden.
If mac runs in WB he will win….even if he is in northward at the time!
Wake up and smell the roses, Cayman. bush is finished, done, gone, kapoot, burned like a rocket.
I will never vote PPM with Alden McLaughlin remaining a party member, never mind its leader. Terrible record and terrible behaviour. Surely there will be others to choose from? An era has hopefully ended and the fighting and acrimony that Mr.McLaughlin has been so much part of since he entered politics will, I pray, soon be part of the past.
What exactly is your problem with Alden? I keep hearing a few generalizations on this blog, but no one has offered any specifics as to why Alden is “terrible”. If you voted UDP in the last election, please forget I asked.
Well at least Mac wont have to clean out his desk at the admin building.
The Po Po already did that for him…
Bring back Kurt as leader then maybe I would trust you
you got to wake him up first!
And sober him up second.
They are taking bets in Las Vegas as to whether or not Chalo will say that live broadcast is not possible due to “technical issues”.
Remember now people ppm helped to create a big fiscal mess the last time they were in power.
You all fail to remember this fiscal mess started a long time ago. Stop the name blame game and clean up these so-called MLA's who claim they're for our country and are not. If the Preimer was so honorable he should have put his country first the day and stepped down the he got arrested. Remeber the world is saying "The Cayman Islands Preimer" not Mckeeva Bush has been arrested.
Hungry for power as usual.