UDP to launch national campaign in capital
(CNS): The United Democratic Party will be launching its national campaign in the capital on Wednesday evening with all twelve candidates running for office in Grand Cayman on the hustings. The UDP is one of only two parties running in the May General Election with enough people to form a government on its own without the assistance of another group. The party, still led by former premier McKeeva Bush, who is due to appear in Grand Court on Friday in connection with charges of theft and corruption, is focusing on West Bay, Bodden Town and George Town and hoping that, despite its recent struggles, there are enough independent candidates to split the vote against the UDP and allow the party to return to power.
The UDP will also be unveiling its 2013 manifesto at the national campaign meeting,which is set for 7:30pm at AL Thompson's parking lLot in George Town.
Bush is fielding six candidates in the capital, led by Mike Adam, who took more than 46% of the vote when the UDP swept to victory in 2009. However, the party is facing a tougher battle this time around, given the criminal charges pending over the leader, the party split following the successful no confidence motion in the previous government, as well as serious concerns about poor governance during the UDP administration. Budget struggles, a failure to get the cruise berthing facility started in the capital and a continued sluggish economy plagued with high taxes over the last four years will make the party’s re-election an uphill struggle.
Nevertheless, with five Coalition for Cayman candidates and four independents in George Town, the United Democratic Party will be hoping that the split in the vote will deliver in its favour.
Unlike the PPM, the UDP is only running two candidates in Bodden Town but it will again be depending on a split between the independents there to reduce the PPM vote sufficiently and allow its candidates to sneak in. In addition, the party may still be hopeful that if either of the former UDP members now running on the PNA ticket (Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour) were returned to the LA, they would support a UDP administration.
Meanwhile, in West Bay the continued popularity of McKeeva Bush as well as Bernie Bush’s own strong following in the district could still be enough to carry Eugene Ebanks and Velma Hewitt as well. While the UDP vote will be split by Bush's two former long-term running mates, Rolston Anglin and Cline Glidden, now also on the PNA ticket, the four independent candidates may split the PPM vote on Bush’s home turf, giving his party the advantage.
Although the UDP has no candidates running on the Sister Islands or the eastern districts, Bush will be relying on his long term friendship with Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, the current premier, to at least lend her support to a new UDP government even if she does not formally return to the party. Likewise, Bush’s very public support for John McLean indicates the party leader’s confidence that, should the younger of the two McLeans win in East End, Bush could count on his support.
Although Joey Ebanks has an uphill struggle against the North Side incumbent Ezzard Miller, should his ‘shock-jock’ tactics turn the tide of that district, Bush will also be counting on Ebanks to support a UDP majority.
With ten men and two women on the UDP party docket and hopeful of support from independents and at least some of the PNA, Bush is a long way from throwing in the political towel. Despite the obvious and very real problems he currently faces, the political veteran is expected to deliver a vintage performance.
Category: Politics
Another great photo, CNS. Congratulations. (Is that Mac's tongue hanging out or am I mistaken?)
Poor old Mac. It's over. Go home and spend as much time with the family whilst you've still got the opportunity.
Oh I remember it like it was yesterday, listening to Mac run Caymanians down, while he was giving a speech at the Ritzs in front of all his friends. I listen as he belittled and accused Caymanians of all kind of things.
Fastforward to the UDP meeting a few nights ago, I could only smile as I listen to him talk about how he is looking out for the interest of Caymanians; what a joke. I'm sure he feels that people have forgotten, like they do in West Bay. But I assure you a lot of us have not forgotten that and the other stuff that has taken place.
We will remind you Mr. Bush, when your puppets in GT go home crying after election. We can't convince those in WB to stop supporting you, but to hell if you will claim election victory with our help in GT!!!
Yes unfortunately they are status holders by means of inappropriate governance of our country. Wake up Cayman.
I am completely at a loss as to how the udp plans to get a wote from every jamaican in cayman. Apart from their nation building efforts of course.
"Massive Crowd"? Not even close! The middle seats were all empty and this was supposed to be a NATIONAL campaign LAUNCH. What they lacked in attendance they seemed to have made up with in whistles and airhorns. Too bad for them a whistle or an air horn cannot vote!
It did not even matter what they were saying. This "meeting" was one of the most pathetic displays of public speaking ever. Even the usually verbose Big Mac sounded like he was on a half cry, probably realizing the writing was on the wall from the lack of support. These poor fools may be fooling themselves but they will NOT fool an entire nation for a third time!
And finally how many JA references and jokes can one non-Caymanian party make? Go back and watch the tape and find out. Which country is it exactly do they think they are running to represent? Madness, Madness and more Madness.
Over 1500 persons were in attendance and the UDP candidates spoke about solutions and plans for the country unlike the mudslinging from the PPM,face reality and stop living in denial,the UDP will retun to office in May and is still the better way forward,
The scary thing about the UDP is the "plans" that they have, but they don't tell you about.
Obviously the UDP and their supporters still do not know how to count!! I looked around and saw around 450-500 and that is being quite generous. One thing I noticed is that most of the speakers seemed so befuddled and scared. Imagine they are still too scared to say no to the Big Cat. Cayman have no fear- come May 23 we will all be awaken by a fresh breeze in Cayman- the heaviness of embarrassment, dishonesty, and lack of integrity etc. will be blown away and our land will be once again be known for honesty integrity common sense and decent people at the helm. Evil will flourish when good people refuse to rise up and act- for goodness sake let us let us wipe out evil and the perpetrators of evil once and for aaa on May 22. We can do this Cayman!! Most of the crowd cannot even vote!!
Solutions and plans? Why did they not implement them in the last 4 years? Plans like the Cohen deal? Plans like CHEC? Plans like the disastrous proposed introduction of income tax?
You forgot plans like CHEC and nation building plans and import duty and hotel tax raising plans with like those achieved in the for Cayman alliance.
Not today Bobo.
Agree. Big Mac has a new speech writer or on something to keep him cool? What was Moxam rambling about, couldn't string a sentence together and 'Jah' references? Was Lady T floating on something or somewhere? What was Capt. rambling about – lionfish? Didn't see the rest of them.
Madness, Madness and more Madness is right!
I mix my votes and UDP will get some as well, but I must say that you are totally wrong. I heard some very good speakers there last night. I sat at home and did not get to hear the last two speakers, but I was most empressed so much that I am now changing my mind about voting. If speaking has anything to do with it I would vote UDP all the way. Jonathan you was great, also Ray Ray you surprised me. A fine neighbour.
Congratulations UDP. That was quite an impressive crowd. There must have been at least five hundred people, compared to the PPM's fifteen hundred last week, and with eighty five percent of your crowd being Jamaicans boasting their free bottle of water how can you possibly go wrong?
''and with eighty five percent of your crowd being Jamaican''……………………………thats what you silly jokers said last election and then got the shock of your lives,you all are so so slow,this time most of you are going to be hospitalized with shock.
Keep wishing my friend, just pray it doesn't backfire.
May we ask what percentage of the crowd YOU think was Jamaican. Of course being a UDP supporter we wouldn't dare hope for the truth from you.
It's true though. Jamaicans who can vote. If it were up to native Caymanians most of the UDP would not be re-elected.
Come on UDP, how many people were there? 200?500? 1000? 1500? Suspect someone would write 250,000 if they thought they could get away with it.
Numbers look like your budgets…all made up and totally irrelevant…
And you STILL cannot count!!
"Deliver a vintage performance"? I guess. He will be there, as usual, shouting to the top of his voice, mud-slinging everyone, and blaming everyone who is not with him for everything that is wrong in the whole wide world!!! And there will be few born Caymanians like Dick Arch who will be there in slavish support of him and his cronies. But I bet that in the main the expected "large croud" will be mainly of those to whom he gave Status and their dependents. Eat 'em out, drink 'em out and VOTE 'EM OUT!!!
It dosent matter colour or creed of supporters as long as there are numbers, and numbers he had tonight . Over 1000 was counted. Sleep on that.
It most certainly DOES matter if you subtract 900 non-voting Jamaicans. Stop kidding yourself my friend.
Better wake up from that.
And what about all the stealing of govt. money. Any thoughts on that?
They obviously don't have any thoughts on anything at all.
Time to Wake up
By Disgusted Voter
I took a drive past the UDP Launch tonight and to my amazement the place was packed with people. I did a quick survey of the crowd not wanting to believe my eyes and my suspicions were confirmed. The vast majority of the crowd were Jamaican nationals mixed with a sprinkling of Caymanians all of whom we know as the usual UDP benefactors.
I am still trying to comprehend how any self-respecting Caymanian or Jamaican would choose to associate themselves with this party. The years of corruption allegations, suggestions of kick-backs, allegations of vote buying and other acts of dishonesty in trying to influence the outcome of the election, miss-use of the nation building fund, alleged casino cash advances, trips overseas with an entourage of would be supporters, failed economic policies, increased taxes, rising crime, loss of reputation, loss of confidence… are enough to make one feel completely depressed and disgusted at the same time.
It is painfully obvious listening to Bush speak tonight that he is pandering to the Jamaican vote. Bear in mind that it is the UDP who are responsible for unleashing this reality on us, but granting mass status to one nationality in the hopes that they would eventually become a reliable voter base. It is now beginning to happen.
One thing surprises me however! Most Jamaicans I know detest anyone who they consider a thief. I remember visiting my grandparents in Jamaica and hearing stories of what the country people used to do with anyone they caught stealing from them. Why then are the Jamaicans so in love with an accused thief?
I watched the crowd carefully and the answer was quickly revealed. Almost everyone had an alcoholic drink, and there were lots of people whispering about the gifts they had received. I guess loyalty can be bought after-all.
I shook my head in disbelief. The proud Jamaican people that I share a family bond with have now lowered themselves to such standards that it will be impossible for them to once again pass themselves off as proud upstanding Jamaicans.
When Bush announced that he is getting rid of the rollover the cheers were deafening, that told me right there, the UDP are no longer interested in doing what is best for Cayman. People like Walling, Jonathan, Theresa, Chris and Rayle have sold out completely and God help us if they gain political power in this country.
The Caymanian supporters who remain with the UDP are also a real concern for me. They seem almost drunk with the promise of more freebies and special deals.
This is our last chance to regain control of our country. A Vote for the UDP is a vote to take control of our country away from us once and for all.
I am appealing to every self-respecting Caymanian! Do not allow the UDP to rise from the ruins and regain political power in this country. What I saw tonight is frightening. The UDP have sold out their loyalty to Cayman and are now representing the interests of those Jamaicans who have no loyalty to this country and to those Caymanians who are so motivated by greed that they will do anything for a dollar. We must take back our country this election. If we do not we may as well start giving our land and houses away because there will be nothing left for our children.
You are so correct. Even Renard Moxam, as nervous and unsure of himself as he looked and sounded, managed his own little Jamaican quip at the end of his 'speech'. Shame on this bunch of losers.
No offense to Jamaicans, I am engaged to one, but it is of no suprise that they can't see the light as what is happening now with our government has been going on in Jamaica since the 60's, and guess what, it all started with party politics. Go figure.
Over the weekend I spoke to a Jamaican gentleman who happened to have been visiting our Islands. Someone whom I would have believed to be respectable. He doesn't believe that Cabinet should be accountable to anyone and are basically above the law. He was referring to the steps taken by the Contractor General in Jamaica who according to him is a mere servant of the govt. and was insisting on unnecessary bureacratic formalities which just slowed the whole process down and declared that nothing untoward was happening. Where have we heard that before? There is no guessing where McKeeva gets his ideas. Jamaica is basically looking at our future if we allow corruption to become so ingrained in our culture that it is acceptable even by those whom we would regard as upstanding citizens. We are already well on the way there but this election is critical to stopping it. If the UDP regains power then these Islands are finished. DO NOT VOTE FOR ANYONE who is even remotely connected to the UDP.
complain till your belly bottom drop out, my six votes will be going to the UDP,get mad now!
We're mad. We're so mad to have to say you're hopelessly blindfolded and totally insane.
We don't expect better from anyone stupid enough to wote for foolio.
That's the problem we have with the udp and it's supporters. Ignorance. Thankfully it will all finally be history in less than a month.
We're not going to get mad, because we understand, unlike you, that six votes is just that. six votes.
What the Jamaicans who received status need to know is that McKeeva Bush betrayed Cayman and Caymanians by overpopulating our tiny island basically overnight. No matter what lies and propaganda the UDP and their followers make up, overpopulating the island in such a short time is what has caused the unemployment issues and massive expenditures on infrastructure that were necessary to keep up with the influx of people.
McKeeva and the UDP will have an easier time turning their back on those Jamaicans that are here now just as quick when it is politically convenient for him and his party to do so.
I am not a Jamaican, but what is wrong with having so many of them there. A vote is a vote regardless of rich poor white, black or purple. They all add up fool fool. Why be predudiced with the Jamaican vote, because let me tell you that the majority of them there can vote as they are status holders.
Please refer to the comment below, fool fool.
Dear,
Theresa Chris
Ellio Mike Jonathan Walling Rayle Raynard
Mac Captain
You are finished now, please crawl home with your tails between your legs and try and have some dignity for once.
I am not voting for any you jokers whatsoever!
The only honest and capable Candidates I can find are with the Progressives.
A Voter
Where to I put inmy requess for a new frig?
I assume you meantFRIDGE?
There won't be any given out. Might get some jerk chicken, and some mannish water at the meeting.
The charges against our former premier is weak and have probably got his opponents steaming vex because the only one which they were hoping for (Stan Thomas) is no longer on the table.The UDP is as strong as ever and anyone counting them out is sadly mistaken,watch out for the MASSIVE CROWD tonight.
09:23, Credit credit theft / fraud to the tune of $50k+ at a a number of casinos is weak? You agree with and endorse this? Is that you Mac?
First off I dont support Mac or the UDP.
However things are different in West Bay. He is still the top candidate there and despite whatever the rest of the country things will still get in and may be strong enough to pull another UDP with him.
As for being a big player overall I dont really see it as I think he will only have a few votes. Of course if you have a largely independent set of candidates who knows?
There are some many "ducks" in West Bay that are willing to follow "Papa Duck" Bush.
At least they are LOYAL Ducks, more than we can say about people like you. You can go vote for the fabulous 5.POWER PRIVILEDGE AND POWER.
I think they are going to get what papa duck got. Stepped down.
I seriously hope he gets elected, and then convicted…what a spectacular fall that would be…
But it would be seriously damaging to these Islands' reputation. I cannot figure out why any sensible person who loves this country would be supporting him at this stage.
How was the crowd?
Over 1500 in attendance.
No, I meant the UDP crowd, not the PPM crowd.
Apparently they were told free fridges would be rolling out of A.L.Thompson's front door.
Dem a say mac pramise dem salt fish an bile dumplin and im no carry come.
Did you say WEAK? rotflmao! You are obviously not a lawyer. BTW as I understand it the Stan Thomas investigation is still alive.
Bush opened his 'Bag of Tricks' and like like Mother Hubbard found the Bag empty. As is said he is out off luck. His Karma went North and he went East.
Looks like he just bit his tongue again as well. Ouch.
Or tripped and popped his mouth.
With that belly his mouth would never touch the ground
Its called falling on your face and landing fllat on your back.
Perhaps if he had bit his tongue a little bit more, he would be in less trouble..you know, even fish would not get caught if they keep they mouth shut..
I think I am coming out because you know Mr illegal is going have food and drink, plus I need some rags to clean my vehicle.
The UDP or the PPM forming a government is just about as realistic as snow being forecasted for the Cayman Islands this weekend! NOT HAPPENING!!!! And CNS your evaluation of the UDP getting a clean sweep in West Bay is unrealistic and a farce. This too WON’T happen. I CLEARLY see a coalition government with some members of the PNA and C4C along with Ezzard and Arden holding the key cards. Party politics is OVER and the 2 current parties had better get some smelling salts ready cause they WILL need it on May 23.
You are dreaming in coloiur.
I'm going to truncate my usual verbosity. I will not vote for you or anyone who stands with you. You have ruined this country, and the only hope for its future is that you are not part of it.
Hahahahahaha!! What is this their 3rd launch??!?!! LMAO
Mr Bush you need to throw in the towel. You are past it. You have let the country down. Do you not understand. We have no faith in you and your contemporaries. Your track record as a politician is unbelievable, the worst that the islands have every experienced, yet people are still anonymous when criticizing you. Why do they fear you? You have no balls and certainly I am happy to debate with you. Last time you acknowledged my presence you were so rude I thought you were a plant due to lack of braincells. I do sincerely hope that the citizens of West Bay have finally got the message and have tired of your antics and misdemeanors. By the way, can you please return your CIG credit cards?
I agree 100%, McKeeva or UDP are no longer relevant in the political arena. Cayman lets all stand up to these bullies, put your name on your comments and stand tall, when these windbags see that they have no power over you they will soon wither up and be blown away by the winds of time.
That's really quite poetical. Thank you!
Foolio…will you be begging for donations to Macs defense fund again?
No Big Whopper, they will probably foot the bill on a government issued credit card.
United? Not after that split. Democratic? Not when you forced your fellow politicians to be silenced for opposing you. Party? That's all you know how to do Mr. Bush. Worldwide tours…fancy hotels and misuse of tax payers' money.
West Bay, don't disappoint us all.
I as usual did my homework on ti and I am sorry, but I have to advise you and others that Mack and his West Bay team are back. Never went wrong with my polling yet.
You just keep your pole stuck right in there and stay out of big people talk.
A vintage performance of sour grapes.
YOU MAKE A JOKE?
BORAT
Ohhhh yeah somebody gonna get tarred and feathered bobo –
Oh please!! UDP and anyone past or presently associated with the UDP does not stand a chance! Dust off you old work boots and flip flops -Dart might be able to aassist with your employment – maybe spreading some sand at the new beach!
How many launches can these XXXX have? This must be at least the third one…Mac still can't count…
Didn't see anything about this being a launch?! Could swear it clearly says NATIONAL MEETING!
Headline clearly says:
"UDP to LAUNCH national campaign in capital"