Election campaigns kick-off with flurry of meetings

(CNS): Election campaign action went into full swing on the eve of Nomination Day in West Bay with the launch of the UDP’s district campaign and the first public meeting of the two C4C candidates Tara Rivers and Mervin Smith. Tuesday evening will see the UDP formerly introducing its West Bay team that will be going up against not only the usual collection of independents but at least two of its former members and for the first time four PPM candidates, as well as the new coalition team.  The UDP meeting starts at 7-30pm at Ms Beulah Yard on North West point Rd while Rivers and Smith will be meeting the district opposite Fosters Republix at 8pm.

After Nomination Day the action for both the UDP and the C4C had been set to move  to the capital but the UDP has cancelled the meeting to launch their fight for control of Cayman’s largest district as aresult of the expected bad weather. The five coalition candidates will launch their George Town platform at ALT’s parking lot on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile,  in East End Arden McLean a former member of the PPM and more recently an independent will be starting his bid to return to the legislature for the fourth time, on Wednesday, in what looks likely to be a head to head fight with John McLean Jr who although having declared as an independent as well, has received the endorsement of the UDP. McLean will launch his campaign from Pac-a-Sac store at 8pm.

Both the PPM and the interim government team, who have not yet revealed their name though they are understood to be running under a national alliance of some kind, will be beginning their formal campaigns after Easter.

The PPM will begin its the national launch on 8 April at Grand Harbour next to the Royal Bank where all fifteen candidates will be formally introduced to the voters.