GT independent won’t help former party
(CNS): Despite being a former leading member of the United Democratic Party in the capital, Matthew Leslie said he would fiercely guard his independence if elected to the Legislative Assembly. The George Town candidate said he would not support either party, including the UDP, to form a majority government but would support “the ideas or motions that I and my constituents feel benefits them and the country” because he, like many independents, is anticipating a coalition government. Leslie said that when it comes to the GTvote, he hopes his supporters will use two of their other five to support Stefan Baraud and Roy McTaggart. Leslie told CNS that he hopes to see Dwene Ebanks and Andrea Christian in West Bay returned along with himself on 23 May.
If he is elected, Leslie said that he would use the opportunity offered to all MLAs to persuade government on an issue they feel strongly about via a private members motion to table a proposal for a Criminal Reform Act.
He said he wants to see changes in how the criminal justice system treats first time offenders to allow for rehabilitation and keep them from having a criminal conviction recorded against them.
“This law would set out the guidelines of the Texas model of Deferred Adjudication and the policies that goes with it. Community Service, Work Program, Counselling and Drug Program/Rehab will be a part of this motion which seeks to ensure 1st time offenders especially our young Cayman men are not victims of a system that seeks to damage them in the long run as the laws are currently.”
Leslie said he believed most elected officials would feel as he does on the subject, and although he did not identify anyone that would support the motion, he said finding a seconder should not be an issue.
The would-be politician, who is running a Facebook-based campaign, added his voice to that of many independent candidates, as well as those in the PPM, that the ForCayman Investment Alliance is a failed agreement as it gives more to a corporate body than it does to the people and needed to be scrutinized.
“If deemed unbalanced, I will seek to renegotiate the terms of the agreement,” he said, adding that there should be no more agreement to these major developments until the passage of the National Conservation Law.
Pointing to some of the major political issues of the day, Leslie said the issue of 21,000 work permit holders while 2000 Caymanians remain unemployed is a serious problem. While he hasn’t stated yet if he is prepared to cut the permits or hopes to increase jobs, he said there must be a balance to ensure Caymanians are put to work in careers they can grow in, which he said would come from encouraging local entrepreneurs with grants and fees incentives.
Government needed to spend less, Leslie said, though he did not indicate which services he was willing to cut. However, he did point to the “luxury travel of leaders" and "the purchase of government vehicles for basically personal use”, which “must stop".
Leslie said that he is asking the people of George Town to elect people that will bring a balance of power and understanding for all classes in this country.
“I never claimed to have all the answers but my track record in the community shows where my heart is,” Leslie stated, as he asked the electorate in GT to save one of their votes for him and to vote for team players that would work to make the country a better place.
“There should never be the case where family in Cayman has to decide on whether they buy groceries to put food on the table or pay the light bill. It is not right,” he added.
Category: Politics
Sorry Matthew, as a YUDP member until recently, you were part of the mechanism which kept Mac in place for years. That is unforgivable.
So easy to see that Mathew and Stefan are UDP candidates, they think like them, and that you can't change after getting baptized by BIG MAC and his congregation. Can't change a zebra's stripes they say. Them George Town voters especially them by Patterson, the East, Scranton etc. won't be taking anymore foolishness from candidates. The know that after they get elected (LIKE ELLIO) they will abandon them for 3.5 years, won't chat to them on the street, won't even call to them passing by, won't even drive down their roads after Elections are over. Thank God I spent the last four years educating the George Town voters in these areas what to look out for. They know better, and on election day they will pick the candidates that remembered, recognized and stood by them.
Yo Matthew you a do it the right way bro!! Dude help me with a job recent and help my boy out too who is wearing an ankle monitor. No one else cared to worry about him and I respect that. Yes I committed crimes and I paid the price but you people not even give me and my boy a chance. So what you expect us to do. We got families to feed too. So yes Matthew young blood you got votes coming your way from our families cuz u showed what compassion and caring about in this place. Some these other politicians not even wanna talk to you.
Matthew you got my vote!
Waste of a ballot!!
Matthew you already proved you care so keep it up. You have many supporters and that will show come May 22. Make your mark and do the people proud and. Lets hear what they have to say come 2017!
The only difference between Matthew and Mac is that one was a gardener and him nightclub bouncer….and basically their brains are wired the same way…same package just different size, so don't expect any changes for the better!!!
Many supporters, but on here at least, not so many who would vote for him, quite the contrary..
Yeah Right!
You bash Kennith for his Drug past.. You bash Matthew for his UDP past.. You bash Stefan… All young and capable men. I guess you want the same old sh@% back n power. SMH I hope all three of those young men get in and prove you people wrong.
Do you hear the people sing. Singing the song of angrey men, Its the music of the people who will not be slaves again. When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drum there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes.
20.30…I am sure you meant to say something important…or are you looking for a role in the new Batman film as the Riddler?
I have been listning to the radio and watching the TV and I really enjoy listening to Matthew. He is a good speaker and very witty in his answers. You can hear his passion and I wish him best of luck. I am a West Bay voter but I hope George Town Voters have listened to Matthew and give him consideration.
16.17 and I really enjoy watching and listening frequently to Bill Maher on the TV..does that mean he can become an MLA too? Or could that only happen in West bay?
I have noticed the party paid bloggers are out in full force. Shows me they are scared of the change comimg… Go Matthew and all the other independents out there!!
I support Matthew as a young Caymanian and do believe he has a good heart. Love seeing the critics coming out. Hope he gets in and puts you all to shame. You got my vote Matthew as well as Stefan, Roy, Sharon, Kennith and Bo!!
A waste of time! Not getting my vote bobo!
I think he just told us who the other UDPuppets are mascarading as independents in west and town…….can you ask him who he would like to see elected in the other districts as well.
v't Why not give matthew a chance? He can't do any worse then Eugene. He might just end up being a good MLA. He needs to see how a gov't works. Then by then he would be just what the country needs. Not against the poor or the rich.
We have now descended to the level that "he can't do any worse than Eugene" as a reason to vote for someone. By that logic a potato could get this poster's vote.
and the first order of business will be the choose a premie. And your vote is?????
Lost
Why is he dressed like a stand up comedian?
Mathew the Entainer
OMG gosh Mathew, you never stood up to the UDP before why now bash them..just like everyone else that was UDP a little to late for that….hold your breath, you won't get in,now or never….
Right on 08.33, lets all get out our old flip-flops and paint UDP all over them, especially on the soles…these boots were made for walking…
Mann try hush you and Stefan are going to get what the duck got!