Alden is next CI premier
(CNS): With the PPM taking four seats in both George Town and Bodden Town, and Moses Kirkconnell being returned in the Sister Islands, the PPM will be able to form the next government with Alden McLaughlin at the helm. The UDP were wiped out in the capital, with the C4C taking two George Town seats while Mike Adam, the only UDP candidate with a hope throughout the count, fell at the final hurdle. The George Town count was announced outside the Family Life Centre at around 8:30am Thursday as Cayman could breath a sigh of relief that it had a stable administration and was not facing the prospect of horse-trading or backroom deals, with both Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean willing to back a PPM administration, securing the party a majority in Cayman's new 18-seat parliament.
In George Town the party's patriarch, Kurt Tibbetts, was returned as first elected member with 3,470 votes, while C4C's Roy McTaggart came in second with 2,160 votes and PPM Leader Alden McLaughlin third with 2,145. Marco Archer (PPM) was fourth, Winston Connolly (C4C) fifth and Joey Hew (PPM) held up the rear, pushing out the incumbent Mike Adam to take the sixth seat as the UDP's support disappeared in the capital.
The long wait followed a tense count in West Bay, Bodden Town and George Town, where the result was very close in all three districts. Earlier in the evening Miller and McLean had both achieved comfortable majorities in their constituencies and PPM Deputy leader Moses Kirkconnell soared passed Juliana O'Connor-Connolly to take 75% of the vote in the Brac.
In the critical battle ground of Bodden Town the PPM had a clean sweep but a close race to push out Theresa Pitcairn (UDP) and Charles Clifford (IND). Incumbent PNA candidates Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour both lost their seats, and although the UDP candidates fared better than the interim government ministers, they failed to get a single seat for the party.
In West Bay Tara Rivers made history when she rocked the UDP boat and turfed out Velma Hewitt, who came in fifth. The C4C candidate was returned as the second elected member in an emphatic rejection by West Bayers of the straight vote. The PPM did poorly in the district but so did the PNA incumbents Rolston Anglin and Cline Glidden, who also lost their seats despite their focused campaign on the former premier and allegations of more corruption.
The UDP were wiped out in every district except West Bay and will now occupy only three seats on the opposition benches along with the only remaining member of the PNA, Juliana O'Connor-Connolly. It is not clear if the three C4C candidates will join Bush across the chamber or whether they will be seeking to support the PPM government.
How McLaughlin will secure his premiership is not yet clear but he has a number of options, which will likely include offering the speaker's job to Ezzard Miller, who is the most knowledgeable member of the Legislative Assembly when it comes to parliamentary procedures and would be an obvious choice.
With the PPM in government, this is the last time that Cayman will have to go through a full general election under the multi-member system, which is far from user friendly, as the party has committed to introduce one man, one vote and single member constituencies.
See full results here.
Category: Politics
The progressives , the people with Cayman at heart… Bring us some good during these 4 years.
After reviewing the numbers it is clear it was Kurt, Moses and Anthony that made it for the PPM. I think without these gentlemen there is now way that they could have one..
The large spread in BT , GT and CYB for them with there running mates in the distance speaks volumes even for the leader Alden who could only manage to pull out third place in GT.
I really don't know how they would have feared without these three..Most likely would have been a real coalition. They better do what they can to hang on to them for the next four years.
Learn to spell.
Alden's 3rd place was a mere 15 votes behind Roy's 2nd place which is practically nothing in a 7,000 voter constituency. It was a sweet victory for him seeing that many had predicted that he would lose his seat and he received more votes than he did in 2009. Notice that Kurt could not pull everyone – Lucille and Kenneth did not make it. The PPM made a mistake in not having a running mate for Moses and then getting their supporters to vote straight over there.
Still third place…we could say the same thing about Joey and Mike Adam. If Joey was running without the PPM and Kurt's coat tails, it would have been more likely that Mike would have won.
Just saying that a lot of these parties are very weak unless they have certain ones to pull them through ie voting straight. Kurt is still the real leader. If not for him pounding that into our heads at every meeting the outcome would have been different. Alden was no where near him in terms of votes.
Fro the record, I support the PPM. I just think we need new leadership.
For the record, Alden made and led the PPM to where it is today.
Caymanians living abroad are anxiously watching all these developments. We hope for the best and join with all our fellow Caymanians in wishing these newly elected (and some recycled) leaders great success in guiding our beautiful islands into the future.
The rise of the successful C4C candidates was a result of Government's past poor performance. The next 4 years will be critical, in terms of making a success of Cayman.
I can bet that if this does not happen, next time around there will be a C4C type government, in the majority.
This is proof of a democracy and that the people have spoken.
I have never been afan of party politics, BUT lets be clear, the C4C were never independents they were a small party with their own executive that wanted to force a coalition with another party! how odd. Those of us who wanted a change in Government couldnt possibly risk that strategy and certainly not when we didnt buy into the idea that the C4C were independents. Now that that they have lost the election they are still trying to force through their strategy by demanding a seat at the table. Who on earth is supposed to be in the opposition, just Mac and his light fries? how does that make any sense?! the dye is cast lets move on. Besides which the C4C are still saying they wouldnt work with a Govt that has Alden as leader so i think they have made their own decision to be backbenchers.
And your point being?
C4C will show their colours now as they join with UDP as an Opposition. They had counted on joining him to make the government. Thank the good Lord that didn't happen.
The C4C ran against the party system and I do not hear any of them asking for a seat at Alden's table. Were they to do so I for one would lose respect and trust in them because it would tell me that they are not the people of principle that they purported to be.
They are asking for more than a seat they are asking for 3! Turns out they are not at all what they seemed! Their crazy C4C plan didn’t work. And since they cannot work with Alden can they all do us a favor and sort out the leader of the opposition role and get on with it!
I have taken offence at a lot of the postings about Alden. He is more qualified to be the Premier than anyone else in the newly elected members of Government. And let me make you aware of something you might be able to understand. THE CAYMAN ISLANDS WERE HIT BY THE WORLDWIDE RECESSION (THAT MEANS FINANCIAL RECESSION) ALDEN McLAUGHLIN HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. THE NEW SCHOOL HAS TAKEN A LOT OF STRESS OFF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN EDUCATION, TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON THE ROADS IN THE MORNINGS, ETC., ETC.,. It used to take me over one hour and a half to get my granddaughter to schoool in George Town. We transferred her to Grace in West Bay and I can now take her to school from Beach Bay, so the school traffic going the other way is beneficial to all of us who used to have to sit in traffic or hours are praising Alden and the former PPM Government. One more thing, at least Alden is honest.
I agree! The new schools are fabulous. They would have had more support if political backbiting had not turned the tide and public opinion against them, and if Alden's successor had not made so many changes to the original philosophy.
I worked for a short time in the Legislative Assembly and my impression was that Alden was both intelligent and ethical. I saw him thanked several times for quiet kindnesses he had done in his community. I hear him called "ambitious" and "big-headed" but he seemed quite humble to me.
Good luck, Alden. We need someone with a good head on his shoulders.
We will need more emphasis on education this time. Too much on infrastructure.
I can't speak for others who have written about this. But personally I believe that we needed the schools. For me and my perspective on it at least, it is not that the schools were not needed, but rather how the whole thing was handled. There was a need and I believe that the government did what it thought it should do, but there was a clear mismanagement of the process. I knew people that worked on the plans (ie Tom Jomes' employees) and the government tried to upscale the schools with fancy equipment and furnishing it with unnecessary things. Things that you would not have had in your own home. This is where the problems began.
The recession did hit, but we had McKeeva in government. McKeeva's government came in 2009 when the recession was at its worst. I'm not a McKeeva or Alden (UDP or PPM) supporter, but what is fact is fact. Alden did not have to contend with the worstof the recession.
Aside from easing traffic what have the schools done for us? We are failing our children and the fancy school buildings cannot compensate for the fact that children are leaving school without a basic grasp of reading. On top of that they are leaving with a sense of entitlement and making bad examples of Caymanians in the workplace. This needs to change. I hope it is at the top of the list for this new government. If we fail our children then we fail society. We will inevitably create a welfare society, where the few of us will be supporting the majority.
Any other examples of good governance you have from PPM government (2005-2009)? I would like to hear. There isn't much more you can say, because not much was done. All they did was complain about McKeeva's government.
As much as I did not believe in or support some of McKeeva's proposals at least he went out and tried to sort the mess out (I will say in some cases he may have causedthe mess). He tried to stimulate an economy for us. The biggest problem with him was he let the power get to his head.
Thank you! Everything you said is true and factual. Thank you. Continue to share your thoughts with us as we need solutions and ideas not rhetoric all the time.
Congratulations to all the successful MLA's. Nice to see the new educated blood in the mix and I hold hope for a turnaround of these beautiful islands.
One request I have for the new government.
I ask that you resist the temptation of mudslinging in the media regarding the past efforts of Mac and his motley crew. If you find wrongdoing, notify the appropriate authorities, and let them pursue the investigations and report on them to the media.
Please, take the higher road in Cayman politics, and forge ahead with your mandates and use your energy to work on policies for the good of the country and don't waste a morsel of energy or time on occured under the UDP reign.
Respect.
What would be the best thing to see in this new Goverment is to see the EXCO departments (yes I still call them by that name), with the least conflicts as possible. yes Edzar would make a good speaker, but is that fair to have him in two positions, he cannot perform his people Job if he is speaker. Best to seek somone new that has been around politics very long time. Give the Speaker a real job of keeping the house under control. Is it even possible to confirm if the Premier has to have a Cabinet seat? There are alot of seats that were mixed up to allow one person control of the main pillars. This should be recitified very soon. So if we have the various Cabinet seats and the Premier and the Speaker each with there own title and responsibilities, then it would be alot clearer. The Premier would have to sign off on each bill. As can be seen from the last Goverment, it was a one man show, all the others were not on the bus, since they were always under the bus. Too many under the table deals. And Alden, lets get that school system sorted. If I have to give my name or sign something that allow the school to disipline my child while in their care, then set the guidelines for punishment. But why should my child be around other kids that are trouble makers and the so called "single mothers" come to the school and cursing and blaming the teachers for the poor cultures. Please Mr. Alden, or someone get this message to him, please give the students in Clifton Hunter real class rooms instead of open space teaching area. This open style, It is just not for Cayman. Just take a tour and ask the children. dont be a "only God will stop me" guy again. Listen to the people and also give the children in the system a chance to voice what can work for them. Of course there is only so much you can do, but we are all your soldiers now, command and lead with integrety, and lets all march forward.and please dont spike the Kool Aid, Its nice and red already.
Rolston should now be seen daily in Rockets buses & foolio was seen walking the streets job hunting lol!
10th Generation Caymanian
What a sick mind. Do you also rejoice in the misfortune of others who are job hunting? I’m happy that George Town did not vote UDP also but I cannot rejoice in anyone’s personal misfortunes. Please find something positive to say or remain silent.
Oh when it is Rolston "God told me to stop lying, hiccup" Anglin and Elio "Jackboot" Solomon it is hysterically funny.
18.10 I agree that, just as we have done with our beloved Cayman,its time to restore our civil service to the many hard working individuals who serve with honesty and integrity. The removal of those who Mac couldn't 'wuk wit' was a travesty and there should be an investigation to determine who benefitted from their removal. Dollars to donuts I bet that those individuals, who still hold their allegiance to Mac, are the ones holding the top positions and the power in the civil servance. If this is the case then, their rapid rise and promotions must also be investigated. If the mighty IRS can force their top guys to step down and the 2nd in command is likely to face imprisionment then we in Cayman can also hold our civil servants accountable. Any civil servant found flouting the law should be held to account, made to answer and sanctioned.
I wish Bo Miller had gotten a seat. He spoke very well of strategies that could work for the benefit of all.
Not quite sure what the benefit of wishing Bo Miller had gotten a seat is at this point. If he cares about our country and our people he will find a way to put his strategies to good use, whether or not he has a seat. Thankfully, and extremely unlike our last gowerment, we now have one that is not above listening to other peoples strategies.
How can the Caymanian people return a party that left the country in massive in debt four years ago? So much so – that ANY new government in 2009 would have HAD to take extreme measures to amend?! Anyway we have to live with it and we do indeed have intelligent new members, (God give 'em the strength!)…NOT endorsing the former Premier in any way; cannot condone his recent actions but I do not see the current leader of the PPM representing the Cayman Islands on the world stage. (I'm sure he knows this himself), PLEASE "new house of representatives" PLEASE nominate someone else!
Compared to McKeewa, Alden will do a fine job of representing the Cayman Islands on the world stage. The very best we can all do for our country and ourselves is give him our undivided support rather than trying to castrate him for whatever reason we may have to do so.
He cannot be, and should not be, compared to McKeeva at all. Alden is entirely of a different calibre, has a solid education and understands/demonstrates what Honourable means. If McKeeva was only half the man, he would not be before the Courts today.
McKeeva represented us just fine on the "World Stage" he spent a lot of time and money travelling to cites around the world, testing out ATM machines, in Casinos with our credit card! If you think that kind of behaviour is "representing Cayman" then you can not possibly have any appreciation for any of the the like of people like the Hon. Premier (in waiting) Alden McLaughlin.
Are you really that daft to continue believing Mac’s propaganda?
Bushites stop drinking the kool aid the election is over and UDP got trashed, suck it up and move on.
"Mac's propaganda"? Oh, dear, that's your level of thinking is it. Get your head out of the sand and the dullness of mind that is a trademark of all party stalwarts (yes, including the UDP even, gosh!) and start thinking independently.. At the moment you're like a lamb to the slaughter my dear child.
I have to agree with your post, particulary in regard to the massive debt that was the PPMs legacy to any incoming administration. While I'm really relieved we managed to neutralise Mr. Bush, I am concerned at the prospect of the premiership being held by Mr.McLaughlin because of his previous conduct in the last PPM government. Let's hope he has learned something about what led to that government's removal by the electorate after one term in office. (Even the most ardent of party followers might agree with my last sentence, at least, surely?)
PLEASE stop being so gullible. It was Bush who said "We's broke" without any Proof but what came out of his mouth. You should be asking how can the Caymanian people trust ANY government who can not come up with auditable finacials?
I do not know who you are, but if the Might Mouse Mac could represent our country with his bias, his lack of educatin and couth an problem with the English Language, then Alden McLaughlin with his top class education, honesty and fairness can do the same thing, even he now has to clear up the mess left by his predessor before actually moving forward. The country is in the mess it is in because of your former premier..
I am Caymanian and you are right! I am not afraid of the truth…don't let these bullies on here get you down. Speak your mind. The truth shall set us all free!
Indeed it did on May 22nd 2013. That day should become a national public holiday.
So will Julie give Paul to Moses?
You very funny
Rough man, but true, and funny.
Stop it!
This is the funniest thing I have ever read on CNS. My sides are hurting.
oh thats what made her so sick Wednesday night! We wont be paying for her and dearest Paul to travel the world Or check~In @ the Alexander Hotel anymore!
Oh no she is getting him a job in the Police Force bo bo.
So when are they going to start rolling back the $200M in taxes? Lets get them to workbefore they change their minds!
I cant wait to buy gas today and see my next CUC bill because they said that duty on gas will be lowered immediately.
Even if it happened next week it would not be seen on your CUC bill for a couple of months since they are generating based on what is already imported.
Uhm they havent even been sworn in yet!
Kurt Tibbetts should be Premiere!
He is and has always been the people's choice, He was first elected in GT, and he is the reason that Alden received so many votes (due to Kurt's endorsement & support). Do the right thing Alden step aside and let the real leader beome premiere.
Can we please just leave that decision to our very capable and intelligent new government?
Congratulations Alden and all the Progressives.
You ran an excellent campaign. You stuck to the issues and did not foloww the others into the gutter.
Once you continue to be honest and ope and remain connected to the people I know that with God's help and guidance you will do well.
Like you said at your final meeting the windows to the nation have been opened. The smell of change is soooo sweet.
Cayman, it is time to put whatever differences that you all have aside now with each other It is time to moved this Country forward. The road is going to very challenging ahead of us and we all need to try to work , and come together as one people under God to put this Country back on top. I have been following the News coverage election with Cayman News 27 and also CNS, and they have both done a very tremendous outstanding job in keeping the people informed.
Even though I was never for a party system, I was more on the independents side because, I personally feel that party systems only creates conflict which is beneficial for the Government. The people has spoken and the peoples voices were heard and I was very pleased with the outstanding results. I wish them all well and I know that they will do a wonderful job to make Caymanians proud.
First I would like to say congrats to all of the new elected officials. I strongly believe in the PPM I believe in what they stand for. I also believe that Mr. Alden McLaughlin will moved this Country forward, as the new Premier of the Cayman Islands. I believe that he will do a much better job as Premier for this Country, even though I do not feel so great about our Countrys fantional policies, I know that better ones are in the works ahead. Let us all pray and hope that we don't go back to the same old rethoric, or old policies. Let us pray that this is a new beginging. A beginging of hope!
We hope and pray that our newly elected members will make their first priority by putting their own Caymanians back to work. There are so many Caymanians that are out of work and unemployed. We hope that they will help secure good qualified jobs for our Children. Education is of importance and it is like I once said before, that this Country needs to start investing more in our Childrens Education. It needs to start looking at at a much brighter future for our Children. Now that this election is finally over we should all be happy and get back to our Caymanian way of living. One Love! M. Ebanks.
Please Alden be the bigger person and don’t let the wealth of experience knowledge and connections that Roy has rot in the house – use him!!! There is clearly a massive problem with the quality of the accounts with the amount of qualified opinions and disclaimer opinions basically a majority of our financials are absolutely useless. We have to know where we stand before we commit to anything else plus I already hear you talking bout a port and new airport. Whilst I really like Marco he has a completely different skill set. I don’t care what you do, set up a steering committee whatever I don’t care just put the man to WORK for the betterment of the COUNTRY.
Thanks!!
I certainly want to see unity for Cayman and agree that Roy can contribute, but he can do so as a backbencher too! Thats what Alden and so many others have had to do whilst waiting thier turn. Please remember Roy is a GT representative and i hope that is what Roy will be doing no matter what decision the PPM make. On another note for those of you that have made similar comments, i seem to recall the C4C issuing a statement that they would work with the Progressives provided Alden wasnt included. Interesting you now make the comment that Alden should be the better man and work with Roy. I guess it would take a much better man than those that made up the C4C. It was poor judgement for them to make such a statement. Their idea of a C4C group running the island has in the end failed, inspite of all the money that was thrown at it. No doubt some good persons were in the C4C and they will have bright futures in politics but i hope they excerise better judgement too and continue to contribute whilst waiting their turn.
Classic case of jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Mac should not be in power but neither should Alden.
We have four years to decide whether or not that is a fact.
Why? Is it because he built schools, roads, put a constitution, was honest and willremain honest?
How on earth could that possibly be the case?! Is Alden facing multiple corruption trials? Is he an embarrassment on the world stage? Give Alden a chance. The election is over, people. There is absolutely no point in making such a statement.
Time to get the road change gazetted and let’s get our new public beach park finished.
PPM asking for more on a binding agreement is like going back to the buyer of your home after moving in and saying I want more money.
I’m reserving judgement on the PPM and giving them a blank slate. I’m worried about their past administration do spend, spend spend. Why build an architecturally complex s hook in Frank sound when a more modest one could have been built for half the cost?
But I wil, have an open mind. Please consider Roy in your cabinet. Lets move forward.
This will be one of the first tests to see if we have elected idiots over thieves. Do the right thing Alden.
Roy has said he does not want to be in coalition with the PPM.
what happened to "Country First"?
Imagine West Bay got 4 representatives and ONLY 1 can deliver and its a woman!! McKeeva thought that defeating PNA & PPM in West Bay that he had won…Ha Ha Haaaaaa! What a joke! He now has to sit across the aisle and watch Alden and the Progressives put country in order through processes and procedures and actually putting our country first, while he is just sitting over there licking his chops, as he realizes he is missing out on all that commission. OMG this is a script written just for the Comedy Club! Alden and the progressives will get on with the business of running this country and McKeeva over there drooling!!! LOL! LOL!
At least for the time being. There's always that other house, of course.
Many congratulations to Alden and the PPM!! Unfortunately you time savoring your victory will have to be very short as there is much work to be done for our beloved Cayman. Not least of which is righting the many wrongs the Mac imposed on the civil service including the removal of the people he couldn't 'wuk wit". He also left a spreading cancer of politically appointed civil servants who owe him their meteroric promotions. You may have won the electoral race but Mac still has tremendous influence, through these individuals, in the civil service. Let the public inquiries and investigations begin!! This cancer must be eradicated!
Please work together & give the people of these islands what you’ll Promised! Don’t forget we the people put you’ll there & we can remove you! Please address the big issues:
1) )lowering fuel
2) getting the airport/dock done
3) allowing omov
4) allowing people to choice the premier
5) listening to everyone across the table
6) give back the poor the people their 3.2%
"4) allowing people to choice the premier"
Maybe the PPM will also teach people to spell.
Well 1, 2 and 3 was a good start. We are not America, so 4 can take a hike. 5 is out because it would include Mac and JuJu. A 6 is presumably a reference to civil service, and we need to cut numbers and costs there, so no to that one.
I like your short list which is what the PPM needs to develop to keep focussed on the key issues . I would however push the OMOV and premier choosing down the list as not needed until next elections and introduce two items high up on the list, cutting government expenditure and reducing high cost of doing business to stimulate the economy.
I am ecstatic that we showed him what we think of him and his corrupt ways. As we all know that he will do his best to go into the LA to rot the good apples, let us pray the Court puts him where he really belongs,
you fool. these ppl are all cut from the same cloth!!!! ever heard of that very old saying??? get over your gripe for Mac it's starting to make you look ugly. Afterall, what power does he have now???
Why are you printing this, he is not premier yet.. Yes the PPM have 9 persons in, but what would happen if the other 11 decide they don’t want Alden as premier and they come together, they now hold the majority, not PPM.
Personally I don’t want to see Alden as premier, I would like to see either Mr. Kurt or Mose as they are much more approachable. The only time you can speak to Alden is when he is in the country and westin bar and in fact he sits at the far side by himself or people kissin his a…..
I am really happy to see That the UDP are out and to see someone break their backs in their home district.
In the next few weeks Weill be by interesting to see who has cut deals to be on what board, ministry and who’s friends are assigned roles. You will also notice in the next four years certain contractors getting the jobs, which they have not had for the last four years.
Before I get thumbs down, I did vote for certain UDP persons and as well as independents.as I truly felt they would work well together as I am again personally feel its time for our younger generation to take the Raines of our island.
Finally, we listened to the UDP and all their promised proposals, I can tell you if you do not for fill these, you will be gone before you know it….
Personally we think you go to the country and westin bar too often.
You know that there are only 18 MLAs, right? And that 9 plus 11 does not equal 18?
I will leave it to someone else who has a better understanding of the constitution to comment, but I also understood that the MLAs collectively do not elect the premier. The person leading the biggest grouping is invited to form a government by the Governor. If Alden can persuade the governor that he even has one of the independents supporting him, he's there.
Country and Westin bar. Now that is funny.
I think it's in a hotel somewere in the country.
Need I remind you all that Marco is more qualified to be Minister of Finance than Roy McTaggart he has an economics degree, several years experience in the department of Finance as well as a law degree and several years experience in the private financial industry.Roys experience is in Auditing.1HFh1
Aside from his degree in Finance and Economics Marco has an MBA from the University of Miami. His qualifications are actually more appropriate to the role of Finance Minister than Roy's.
let the fighting begin !!!!
And he was the Project Manager of the new government accounting system.
Can someone also explain on why is Alden going to be the Premier???? Aren't there other people in PPM? Just asking?
Errr… because he is the leader of the PPM and the PPM fought the election on that basis and won?
Do you think that all Roy knows is Auditing? Is that really the extent of your knowledge in accounting? Do you have ANY IDEA what one must go thru knowledge and experience wise before you reach where he has reached?
Look not going to get into a squabble but let me say this. Roy is the best for the post. Marco is also qualified NO DOUBT but Roy is the best. And this comes from someone who would have voted for Marco and not Roy if I voted in GT.
Again. Not that Marco does know how or is incapable of doing it. BUT at a time like this I believe two things:
1) We need the absolute best person for the job.
2) We need to start mending fences and start working together to right this ship and we don't have much time to do it.
Now more than ever we need all 18 politicians playing some role in government. Well you could leave 3 out but the rest I would like involved in something and earning their big paychecks.
Roy’s knows everything like the CHEC deal was good for CAYMAN. Give me a break his is an overpaid bean counter.
Dred, you are wrong about this. Our current FS was also trained as a public accountant but obviously hasn't the foggiest notion about economic modelling or projections. That is really what we need for Minister of Finance rather than a bean counter.
It would be nice if someone in charge of expenditure was subsequently able to account for it! Cayman Islands government doesnt exactly have a good reputation fopr being able to explain where $600 million a year of public money gets spent, which of course leads to all sorts of problems.
As for whether Mr McTaggert is an expert on economic modelling, I cannot say, but posters should appreciate that in any ministerial system the minister is not expected to be an expert in the subject matter of his ministry. Otherwise politicians would have top have a wider ange of skills – should the minister of health have to be a doctor? Agriculture a farmer? If we had a defence minister , would he have to be a soldier? The minister is meant to set policy – he has civil servants to do the economic modelling and to advise him – although obviously an aptitude with niumbers and an understanding of how Cayman's economy wporks is an advantage. And Mr McTaggert has run a very successful internationally based business which requires an extreme aptitude for understanding both numbers and how the financial services industry operates – which is the mainstay of our economy. My only objection is the moustache!
You have got it all reversed. The bean counting can be done by FS Accountant General etc. CIG does not have an economist on staff.
I agree with you. Marco is more qualified to be Minister of Finance. I think it's a race issue straight up I don't care who like it!
That ministry will be filled with out any worries. My concers are the Agriculture department and the Construction Industry. We have never had any ministers that have had any experience in these departments.
Kurt Tibbetts is synonymous with agriculture! Where you been??
Especially when it comes to planting seeds of progress in our Government.
You are absolutely clueless. One option succeededat the top level in a highly competitive international business, the other, well, has done a few jobs here and there.
Huh? Marco's qualifications (Bachelors in Finance and Economics and MBA) and experience (many years in the Econ and Stats Dept.) are obviously more suited to the position. It is ridiculous to say that he did a few jobs here and there. Roy is an auditor of companies.
Marco has a held a few relatively low key positions. Roy has been successful in a very succesful business. There is no comparison.
There is indeed no comparison. Marco is better qualified for this particular position.
Hey people stop the fighting over who should be Miinister of Finance….. Cha man … All day unna been at that! Simply amend the Constitution to provide positions of “junior ministers” and “ministers of state”. Appoint Joseph Fitzgerald Kennedy (ooops Ebanks) as Minister of State for Finance, Economics and Financial Services. We can then have Marco as Junior Minister for Finance and Economics and Roy as Junior Minister for Financial Services. We solve Joey’s employment problem, life-long desire to ascend to the elite class and get him into the LA finally, plus we have 2 very capable gentlemen to keep him and the country straight……
People stop fighting please. If combined into one ministry, the subjects of Economics, Public Finance and Financial Services is a much bigger call than Marco and Roy individually – only Mac could do such a huge job!! Simple, Marco gets Public Finance and Economics and Roy gets Financial Services. Then just hire a real Financial Secretary and 2 capable Chief Officers to replace the chaff that is there now and you are well underway to solving many of our problems.
Yes, the PPM won by nearly a landslide thanks to McKeeva and despite Alden. I hope that they live up to their promises and I sincerely hope that the new Premier doesn’t continue to put personal pride before country, because we’ve had too much of that already. Lets put this country back on track PPM. And make sure that you don’t just employ more of McKeeva’s approach by populating the statutory boards with political cronies and wannabe almost elected candidates.
Boom Shaka Laka hear dat umma oofa. All along the watchtower the eyes are now upon you. Do what is necessary and rid this house of the myriad termites of institutional corruption. Mckeeva and the hippo were no form of standard for comparison so rise to the occasion or suck the salt at the end of the gauntlet instead of what it is there for which is to sterilize the wounds of war. Rise or bow, the patience is gone. Make good or suffer the consequences.
OK Guys, Now that you are in and We've heard every talk about integrity, right and wrong. I do believe it is time to get rid of the jobs that were given to the udp band wagoners. The speakers, the presidents, the staff that are making side deals to make money for private businesses.. YOU all know who im talking about. TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE AND GET THINGS LEGIT.
I hope the new government call out these individuals and put people who are truly nuetral and deserving of such posts…
We've heard all the talk, time to walk the walk.
Its a new age to hold our politicians accountable, especially when they are responsible and get paid so much.
yea right, look so see if they don't put the same people on the CPA board,certain ones were on their 12 years.
The first "house" I want to see cleaned is the Dept. of Immigration – PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF ALL CAYMANIANS !!! can the new Government ensure that someone is put in place to oversee and properly review each and every application together with all the supporting documentation sent in are checked for authenticity – I know alot come here waving around pieces of paper and in most instances, no experience but we, the Caymanians are forced to train them, then kicked out for a work permit holder – don't let us down now please, there are alot of well trained and qualified Caymainians who are overlooked for certain jobs and a foreignor is given first preference !!!
Anyone have the heart to tell Captain Eugene wha' append when he wakes up?
I ain’t gonna wake him up! Anybody?
Omg, this comment made my day!!! They really voted him back in? Yeh, he's no harm, but what good is he?? Has anyone ever heard him speak?? What a waste and disgrace, of our money. Thanks for the comment!!
What's the difference between him sleeping or him being awake?
Well it looks like Alden got what he worked so hard over the last four years to accomplish. So now it’s time to see if he lives up to all his promises. If so we should see the tax increases that were put in place by the UDP reversed, budget balanced and always on time, West Bay Road reopened, GT Dump remediated in place not in BT, Great deal on the cruise terminal and oh yes the relationship with the UK improved which should not be hard all he’ll have to do is do whatever they say..
I have actually been waiting for this and I am looking forward to seeing how much different the PPM will be from the UDP after hearing them fight the UDP at every turn for the past four years and how much better they make Cayman. I would love to see things get better for Cayman but time will tell..
Hopefully one difference will be that a certain smelly hand from WB won’t be in your pocket.
and remember the promise of 4 $ per gallon GAS !!!! 🙂
That promise came from Mac and the UDP
Ppm you’ll have been given a 2nd chance you’ll better get things right this time & get the economy going if not the roll over policy will hit you’ll! Please work as one & get going again! Pna+udp+c4c+ independent= Caymanians! Together we stand as one!
BRACA
Progressive supporters please simply don't stoop to their level and even tumps up or tumps down on this blogg..
The Cayman Islands has spoken and we the voters has put our trust in each and everyone of them to take care of the affairs of these Islands.
So please aviod the ant-progressives and lets be progressive.
We have a lot of work to do so do your part and be progressive today and the next years to follow..
Thanks Cayman
Thank GOD! The sensible people of the islands had their voices heard! NO MORE BUSH! Hip, hip, hoorayyyyy!
Hey Makeewah! Your UPD got busted to only three seats now! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
The UDP got their a$$es kicked in every district except West Bay! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaaaa!
Revenge is a dish best served up cold. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Eat hearty, there, Mac! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, hee, hee, heeeeeeee!
I for one am going to make it a point to smile really really big next time I see you out on the streets! You know, a big cheese-eating grin that will have you wondering whether I am being cordial or making fun of you. Actually it is going to be hard not to bust a gut laughing out loud at you. So, here: HA, HAAAAAAAAAA!
(There! I feel so much better now.)
To Alden and the new government: Congratulations! You have earned a sacred trust. The people are counting on you to bring this ship back on course. Do wisely, do right, do well!
Mac, Alden got one plate of carrots and milk for you.
Whoever wrote this comment is clearly an uneducated/ignorant person. You are not even fit to comment on politics. Dismiss yourself. Seriously how childish.
I hope the new government does well and I wish them the best of luck but no need to bash the former premier and carry on so stupid.
It's about expression, rather than education or ignorance, and clearly the writer's semi-deranged ramblings are an indication of the amount of frustration he/she has been building up inside. The key sentiment is "There! I feel so much better now." Writing to CNS can serve as a very necessary catharsis and is certainly better than going round the house breaking up furniture, which can get frightfully expensive and lead to further frustration I would imagine.
All the best Alden!!
I am hateful toward anyone
But MOSES KIRKCONNELL should be voted the next Premier over Alden
Because Moses is more approachable I feel
And he has very good, creative, and Entreprenuearal ideas that can
help the country and small business people servive and thus creat jobs in a tough economy ( thus cutting our National Debt because of Social issues as joblessness for one)
He seems much better at handling POWER and all the trappings that goes with it
Yes, you are right. he owns most of the most important businesses on Cayman Brac. He should know all about this. Moses Kirkconnell does not belong as Premier of the Cayman Islands.
Time to respect the process of the PPM who elected and supported Alden as leader and will now be the countrys premier. Arden left the PPM because he didnt want Alden as leader as he was entitled to do and joined Ezzard. Now Arden is back and he and Ezzard are both supporting Alden as Premier. Let’s be fair and respectful to Alden for the sake our the country.
Boy, those gift bags of banana/apple bottle water and kirkconnell calendars he had his croonies delivering bought him plenty votes. BTW wasnt that treating?? How come nobody called him out on that? Where were the election observers? Not to mention the food and drinks he had @ his meetings! I wouldnt want to see him as Deputy or Premier. He wouldnt be any better than JOCC.
Who is going to vote for someone for water and bananas? People voted for Moses because they are sick and fed up with Julie. Her supporters and family get all the jobs and no one else can get any. We don't want hand outs, we want hand ups and Moses can give us that. He cares about the people old and young. He want the young people to come back to Cayman Brac to work so he will facilitate projects that will bring us jobs.
hope your god doesnt let you down
behind you 100% on that MOSES kIRKNNELL NEXT PREMIER
where mac mac is nah?? sho is quiet in wb! 🙂
people lined up outside of his house..MY opinion…probably getting their payout for doing as they were told. he has his own promises to keep to you know.
I have a dream… In order to better serve my country and to put beloved Cayman Brac on the world stage and off course to have a chance to continue this prestigous title, for country, someone will join the PPM.
Make her speaker – that way Mac cannot have her to bump up his count so he can get Leader of the Opposition, and she wont be able to pave driveways either! Win Win
Make her SPEAKER? Remember when she was speaker before that she drove the public out of the LA Gallery? You people dont even have any memory. Put her on the back bench like where she was the first time. Sitting down on Watering Place Park with nothing to do.
cayman brackers werent wise enough to take her out but thank God Grand Cayman was wise enough to take the wind out of her sail
Leave her on backbench
Dont give her anything Let her sit on the back bench where she belongs right next to mckeever. The country has rejected her government. only reason she is there is because cayman brackers were not as smart as the bodden towners and west bayers. She says this is her last term and that is one term too many. Shes done enough damage.
Hopefully, they won't let her.
Looking forward to hearing bush’s ” spin ” on the result – no doubt will involve all the usual suspects – Governor, CNS, Devil Worshippers etc., etc..
Congrats PPM!!! There is hope again for Cayman!
OMG people get over it the people of this country have spoken. Some of us may not like what the out come of the election is but they majority has spoke.
12:34, the problem with the UDP and their blind followers is that they will piss and moan, blame their loss on some conspiracy and throw their toys out the sand box when it comes down to getting the job done.
And as you pointed out, the majority have spoken in these elections which is a term that is foreign to the UDP who all think that the Republic is the capital and Mac an angel.
What's next I wonder, picketing outside the courts when Mac has to face the music?
Congratulatuions to all those elected; and I must say I am looking forward to one-person-one-vote in single-member constituencies. I would like to make a suggestion to all those elected – go out and purchase a book by John Maxwell called "Ethics 101", read it from cover to cover (it is a small book and can be purchased for just under CI$10 at local book stores), and apply it in your official duties. Do this, and Cayman can only move forward and be a shining example to other small nations.
I want to thank God today for the following:
A "Premier" we can finally be proud of.
Ellio not getting a seat.
A new and improved PPM goverment.
Finally, I would like to echo what someone else said about Ezzard being the speaker of the house. He is the ideal candidate because he is fair and honest and would put everyone is their places especially the little devil from West Bay named McKeeva.
Go PPM!!!
trust in God and all will go right for our islands
Now you got foolio with nothing to do, sitting on his computer blogging away and bashing the PPM. Please Randy, if you put him back on Rooste toor, I swear I will never again listen to your radio station. Congratulations PPM, You ran a well oiled machine with your clean campaigning. I am sure you guys have learnt your lessons from the time before, so try to be transparent and keep the locals aware of any matters. Go in there and clean up the mess, roll back the fees, create the jobs and do the right thing.Your Country needs you more than before, work closely with the others and renew Cayman's energy. Keep everything Positive. May God Bless our Leaders and May God Bless the Cayman islands.
Probably be the Joey and foolio show..
Plus he doesn’t need to worry about money, because of the PPM he is now entitled to pension for life…
If they had not run a drug dealer as a candidate they might have had an overall majority. Or if they had only run one candidate in West Bay they might have had an overall majority. In fact if that had put forward a candidate in North Side who knows, after all over a hundred people voted for Joey. The first two points show the PPM's real problem. They are extremely unsophisticated. Cayman has leapt out of the frying pan into the fire.
I pray, hope and trust that PPM will do a better JOB this time around and not make a BIG MESS for someone else to have to work to cleanup. Alden PREMIER what a JOKE to me there will always only be one PREMIER and that is the HON. McKeeva Bush which was and always be the FIRST.
and hopefully the worst
First Premier, first mistake and BIGGEST MISTAKE that ever was made. Hopefully, the memory (nightmare) will fade in time and history!
In 4 years time Big Mac will be back and the country will be saved
What makes you think he'll be out in four years?
….AND, the FIRST Premier to be removed from that office.
PPM, again, really??? I thought Cayman wanted change! I’d like to see some IND or C4C with some real responsibilities and ministries. Really people, it’s disapointing. Same old guard from four years ago put back in.
Same Circus – Different Clowns
How can CNS report this and it is not confirmed as yet!!!! You know sometimes I wonder why I even continue to visit this site.
I wonder why you visit it too. Is someone making you do it?
can we now get on with it and make cayman a better place for all of us???????
Its now time to move on and Try and get our island back on its feet. Im not really into politics but i am 100% caymanian, im a civil servant and boy let me tell u tings bin rough on this side.
Do what is best for cayman,,lets work together and cut the bullcrap man.
Sooooo. The election is over and the People have spoken.
Mackeeva Bush can now resort to serving his real Masters for the next four years and then it will be time to try getting elected again.
To those that will form the new Government, be aware that the Voters and Jesus will be watching you, and if you fail to push the Country in the right direction the Voters will certainly take steps to move you out of power.
The real Power is in the hands of the people and all politicians better remind themselves of that every minute of the day.
Good luck Mr. Alden…I know you will make a great leader. Some humble advice
1. Have a good talk with Bo Miller
2. Embrace the independents that won/lost
3. Keep working with young man Kenneth Bryan (was impressed by him)
4. Tone down the party gimmicks a bit
5. Encourage cohesion instead of division
6. And for the love of the almighty do not stoop to Mr.Bushes level…As the UDP has proven time and time again what they stand for.
Good advice, especially talking to Bo.
and ensure you put people on boards who are genuinely wanting to make a difference and are not just there to enhance their own business or beating the PPM drum.
In a battle between corrupt and stupid, stupid won. Sadly this means that a few possible foreign investment opportunties will no longer be viable if the PPM stick to their destructive "Caymanization" policy of old, or with Ezzard's supprt it might be more accurately a "Caymunization" policy.
Ezzard hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about.
I think that was the poster's point. English your second language?
The Progessives are not stupid. They have some very bright, able people there.
I think they should consider getting a C4C person into the government instead of relying on Ezzard or Arden. OMOV is going to change the picture in the future and the George Town south is going to be more important than the north or the east.
Ok Alden and the PPM you ran an excellent campaign, you have the most educated members, your party has the less chance of corruption, and we all want progress.
Please may I suggest Mr Moses for Deputy Premier and Marco for Minister of Finance, Ezzard for Speaker and please be inclusive and offer an executive position to either Roy Mctaggart or Winston Conolly.
The first thing we need is a roll back of the fuel tax, and an amendment to the election law whereby no member can run for election or sit in Parliament if there are facing criminal charges – and a bi-election must be called if the criminal charges are not complete within 6 months. Also introduce OMOV and make an amendment whereby the public can have a referendum to remove the government – with the most votes winning the referendum…
Moses for Minister of Commerce and Tourism and Development as well as Deputy Premier!
I for one am very happy for all who were voted in from the Progressives (PPM). I am proud of our new leader Honorable Premier Alden McLaughlin and my four candidates in Bodden Town (Mr. An. Well done voters. We will recover. Michel Lemay
I would like to personally send this message out to the PPM. Alden, you have done a tremendous job is rallying the PPM into the leadership seat. I would ask that you do not relegate the two C4C candidates to nobodies but use them where their skills are. Roy would make a good second for finance and include him on the various boards to oversee financial matters. I am not sure about Winston's background but use him so he can gain political experience to possibly become a future leader for the country. I believe it is HIGH time we start working toegther to get this country back on track and NOW is as good a time as any to extend a hand across the aisle to the C4C and Ezzard and Arden to get some help doing the people's business. I am sure once you guys sit down you can hash out what differences you guys have. PLEASE PUT ASIDE YOUR EGO…..Remember, always REMEMBER WE THE PEOPLE PUT YOU THERE.
Sounds good but both Winston and Roy said they would not work with Alden!
And why would the PPM believe that these people would be a help?
We just want everyone to work together & see progress! we all have to work as one unit & get this country back on track!
Caymanian
Congratulations to Tara, all the successful candidates in GT, Bodden Town, EE, NS and to Moses representing our Sister Islands as well.
I am hoping that as our country goes forward, we will never again see the type of 'real estate consulting' that nearly destroyed this country. Please strengthen our laws against corruption and conflicts of interest and make sure that there are also strong enforcement mechanisms to protect us going forward. We are counting on you.
Good riddance to Mac and his UDP / PNA cronies. They are EXACTLY where we need them to be.
However, I am not happy about Alden as Premier … just see what a wonderful job he did as Education Minister. Moses or Roy perhaps?
I hope that the new Government will utilise the strength of the Intellect that the new C4C and Independents bring to the table.
This time it is NOT about Party Politics, but rather about COUNTRY, and using our greatest natural resource (our people), for the greater good and future of our country and children.
Also, thank you all for getting rid of "the great negotiator, Foolio". Hopefully we will be able to salvage the damage that he, Mac & the previous administration has caused our country.
No beef for Alden, but interesting how you suggested the "white" ones for Premier…
For those who run away from Cayman, keep running you obviously don't give a darn about our country. Thick or thin I Caymanian!
Now let's get on with business shall we.
Cayman's dark days are finally over. Our people, in their wisdom, have pronounced they have had enough of Big Mac's "Better Way Forward" which brought scandal and shame to Cayman. Ellio, what are you going to do now? As someone who got on Rooster every morning prior to the 2009 general election and behaved as if you had a solution to every problem, the weighed you and found you badly wanting. Go and lick your wounds, Ellio! Good riddance!
I would like to see Roy as shadow finance Minister in opposition to blast them when they do crap.
Why not make him straight up Finance Minister? Progressives have already stated they want a government of inclusion. I hope this includes some of the good ideas from some of the candidates that did not make it in like so many of Bo Miller's ideas. Especially the infrastructure fund which the people of Cayman can invest in and profit from.
I'd prefer Roy as Finance Minister instead. He's definately far more qualified and capable than any of the rest.
Such a move would also PROVE to the nation that Alden has changed, and truly has the country's future at heart.
Just imagine, a leader who is willing to break from tradition for the greater good of his country and people.
vERY STRANGE YOU WANT ROY TO BE F MINISTER,I SEE CONTROL
Roy should be THE Finance Minister – he is the only one with the credentials and experience for the job and is a clean and safe set of hands.
Ummm… Marco's qualifications and experience make him far more suited to the role: B.Sc. Finance and Accounting, MBA, LL.B . years in the CIG Economics and Statistics Dept. Roy is an auditor.
Hope everyone is wearing black today regarding the bad news we recieved last night of the red gov't dictating for 4 loooooonnnnnggggggg years. #sosad4mylilrock
Well with 'it wasn me' being put away forfour years and all that we had to find someone else to run the country, know what we mean Shelbun?
Why not make him Minister for Finance, then he can put them right in the first place…just a thought!
I agree with you 100% Lone Hagganguer!
What this country need for the next 4 years is a strong and organised opposition so that NO Government feels they have unfettered control of the countries expenditure.
My "dream team" for the opposition would be Tara Rivers, Ezzard Miller, Arden McLean, Roy McTaggart and Winston Connolley (and perhaps Bernie as he only used Mac to get elected and is fresh enough to think for himself?). Leave McKeeva, Bernie and Capt Eugene out of it to stew on the back bench.
I really don't worry about who PPM picks for theindividual ministers, they have enough competent people to form a Government and enough members, if they offer Julie speaker, to form the Government and to do a good job, however they need a strong opposition in order to rein in their spending in all areas and to force them to keep the books straight.
Whsat makes you think the PPM would not invite Roy to be Minister of Finance? They probably should. Similarly, Arden "the Action man" would be a terrific works Minister, as he proved previously.
Make Ju Ju Speaker, then she will not be able to say anything!
Arden the action man did what we could all do if given the chance…spent $70,000,000 on roads with out a clue where the money would come from!!! Terrific Minister???? sure!!!
Err….his clue came from the FS's statements about the country's finances. It is the FS that needs to go. Arden was absolutely a terrific Minister. I hope he is returned to that Ministry.
I would like to see Roy as finance Minister. The PPM do not have a majority and would be smart to use the best people, which would be Roy, Tara & Winston.
Very cheeky to suggest that C4C are the best people. The PPM did win 1/2 of the seats while C4C won only 3.
Nice try. PPM has plenty of good people. Take a seat in the back c4c.
Roy is an Auditor. If you want a smart guy for finance, choose Marco Archer.
We all know Roy is the best choice to monitor the government coffers. Will the right decision be made. Actually having someone qualified to be there will be a first for the country.
i cannot believe the venomous negative comments when the new govt. has not yet taken over.
Good grief we should be rejoicing for just a little while that we have been freed from the past 4 years of vindictive and highly questionable leadership centered on personal gain.
Well done PPM and congratulations independents who can now join a free from graft group of legislators as a team.
It's fair to question the PPM right out of the gate and I trust the newly elected Independents will do so. Fulfilling the PPM Manifesto involves promises of spending which we should all know is not possible. Their campaign platform revolved around big project dreams we cannot fund ouselves, nor has anyone yet done the feasibility or business case work to show these are even necessary.
I agree. The reality is that the electorate kicked the PPM out of office after one term last time, so that to wonder if they are going to do any better this time is a fair and balanced question. I am concerned as to exactly where the money's coming from, of course. As they can't borrow (like last time) the only remaing options are increased taxes or generation of more income from the existing tax structure from a regenerated economy.
I don’t see how it would be impossible to believe. Bush was less than stellar however this is not PPMs first opportunity to destroy Cayman either. Their past speaks for itself as well.
"Less than stellar"??!! Well if that is not the understatement of the century. He was an unmitigated disaster as premier taking us down a pathway of destruction.
I ask God to keep the Cayman Islands and its people safe for the next 4 years under the Red Government…I hope that history will not repeat itself as (2005-2009) or have the PPM supporters forgotten, I know I haven't.
OMG Alden for next Premier and Minister of Education? I trust that he will ensure that the students that need the scholarships will get them and not only just the chosen few!!
have you forgotten that during the PPMs last administration the nation suffered from two devastating hurricanes? they took office directly after hurricane ivancast 95% damage on the islands, and just at the end of their term hurricane paloma did its damage on the sister islands. I think the PPM is more than capable of leading this country but any government would suffer a hit after two storms like Ivan and Paloma in the same term.
have you forgotten that during the PPMs last administration the nation suffered from two devastating hurricanes? they took office directly after hurricane ivan cast 95% damage on the islands, and just at the end of their term hurricane paloma did its damage on the sister islands. I think the PPM is more than capable of leading this country but any government would suffer a hit after two storms like Ivan and Paloma in the same term
the nation suffered from two devastating hurricanes? they took office directly after hurricane ivan, and just at the end of their term hurricane paloma did its damage. two storms like Ivan and Paloma in the same term
two devastating hurricanes? after hurricane ivan , and just at the end of their term hurricane paloma
two? after hurricane ivan.
Confused. 1 = 2 sounds like the sort of maths that the UDP were using to balance the books and report a deficit.
PPM should appoint Tara Rivers as Minister of Education. She would be excellent.
Aahhh, I think you are mistaking Alden for McKeewa
I don't it could be any worst than under Green , and more needed scholarships will be given and not a chosen few like the UDP Govt. for if you were not a friend of a friend,or a friend of McKeeva your child got nothing Think about that.
Oh come on. He will be much better than the last one – driving around drunk – what a disgraceful role model for our kids. Alden introduced scholarships for "A" Levels, which has given a lot of kids the opportunity to get to college/university (with scholarships). There were also a lot more after school programmes under the PPM such as the subsidy for the sailing club which made it affordable for all of our kids. PPM are honest and ethical and have promised to be open. Thank God for this change. I couldn't bear the thought of another 4 years of oppression and higher taxes under the dictator.
Okay the corrupt crowd are out, but do we now have the stupid crowd, do the right thing Alden try not to mess it up again.
That school in Frank Sound certainly doesn't look like a mess up to me. No matter how sweet the Kool Aid tasted.
It’s over !! The people have spoken (not sure yet what they have said). But can we stop with the hurtful comments and disparaging remarks. This attitude is what is eating us alive. We have to move on and work with what we have. We just need to now continue to demand accountability!!! Congratulations to the winners, and may God be with you and continue to bless the Cayman Islands.
So what happens when someone does a bad job and needs to be held accountable, if we can't disparage them?!
I just hope that you all who put them back in are ready to see Cayman drop into more debt and taxes to come to light but promises promises not everyone is perfect and this just didnt happen once lol sooo you all want them back in to see this island suffer more and more each day well you got it hopefully the independents stand strong to not let them run us in the ground anymore than we are.
And how will they be able to run up more debt now that the UK's put a cap on the borrowing?
I certainly would prefer Ezzard to be speaker, than Minister of Anthing.
He will certainly be an improvement on the speaker of the past 4 years!
Soooooooooo WELL SAID! lets hope he's offered it, he takes it and we can breathe a collective sigh of relief that the buzzard wont have too much to feast on!
Why on Earth would CNS suggest that the Independent candidates endorsed by the C4C advisory group would now cross the aisle to support their sworn opposition in the UDP camp? The C4C endorsed Independents were compelled to join the political fray specifically to run against the UDP because of their diametrically opposed viewpoints – it was their whole platform! Honestly CNS, your anti-Independent spin-doctoring and conspiracy theories have got to get in tune with the mindset of this country. The independent candidates had a significant 4 to 1 or 6 to 1 disadvatage against all of the straight vote camps that voted yesterday, and where they finished tells a lot about how far we've come. It should be obvious to all that OMOV is already the will of the nation and that the party "straight vote" blind votingis no longer the preferred paradigm. CNS is not yet on the right side of history in its reporting on this.
CNS: You don't appear to understand how the Westminster-style parliamentary system works. The opposition benches are not necessarily unified but are made up of any and all parties that are not aligned with the majority party government. So for the C4C members the decision is whether they join the government benches, where their job is to support the government, or whether they choose to sit in opposition, where their job is to scrutinise and question government decisions, which I believe is more likely. This in no way means that they align themselves with McKeeva Bush's party or support the man.
scrutinise and question government decisions??? oh boy more ezzards out there now
OK. Agreed about not joing Mac, but now I also understand why Brit politics is so backstaberish,miserable and grumbly (really grumbly, here here, etc. etc.). The Cayman Islands Government should be able to improve on the system as long as the people of the country are in sync with it and approve of the Goverments performance.
CNS, the narrative in your story is misleading re "join Bush", and could have been worded better
CNS: When you use the words "join Bush" you are suggesting that they are unified so the writer is correct.
Thank you CNS :many people don't read widely and they don't understand many things > They just repeat what they hear others say even if flawed. They should teach some sort of Civics as part of the cariculum in high school and parliamentary procedures. One need not remain ignorant in these days when you can search out the knowledge on the internet and inform and eligten yourself
CNS repeatedly implies that the Independents endorsed by the C4C advocacy group are "members" in a party, which they are not. That much the voters understood, when CNS still does not.
Wendy this is one time i have to congratulate you for that comment. Caymanians are so immuture in politics, that is why we suffer in this country. Here is someone suggesting for the C4C not to join the UDP party or group to form an opposition party.
Thank you for the education, i hope they take it in.
"immuture" in politics, exclaimed the spelling bee champion.
So much for change, wow extremely disappointed.
I can’t believe you guys voted Mac,Kirk and Alden back in..
These three people are the main reason the country is in the state it is today, but NO you Donkeys have to vote them back in.
Now that Alden will be Premier let’s go build a port that is the best design in the world and win some award for the design, oh and at the same time lets do the same at the airport. Then we will deal with Dart and take everything from him (large law suite). This man is just as dangerous as the Big Mac.
You PPM members are donkeys, vote out your leader and put someone like Moses in power, much more sensible and I would probably voted PPM.
I am happy to see Roy, Winston, Big E, Tara and Arden in but what can they really do? Unfortunately nothing but complain from the back bench.
So for the next four years we decided that we didn’t want change, let’s see what sh…. The island is then, ruled by the UK is my guess.. Oh and let’s see who’s skeletons comes out the closest and if anyone gets arrested in the next four years….
Well, aren’t we mr. Grumpy!
A very negative person … you see the bottle empty all the time. I wonder how you're like at home. Don't want to know.
Who is KIRK????
Who the hell is Kirk?
We vote the same party in and out all the time. Cayman voted the PPM in then we voted them out, then we voted the UDP in then we voted them out. I think this should be the last election that some of these canidadtes should be allowed to run. Same B.S. every year just from different parties. My two cents.
Out of the 18 people who were voted in, 8 of those are "first timers" in the political arena, and of those 8, none of them can be compared to the rest in terms of what they will bring to the table.
That's change in my book.
Term Limits need to be introduced into the Constitution. once that is done, we can be SAVED from the year in and year out BS that goes on!!!
Just as long as its not a UDP member.
I am happy that God has made it possible for Alden and Kurt to once again amend their mistakes and set the record straight. As one of the authors of our Constitution, I think it is crucial now that he push to implement an Order in Council to change and ensure a better Constitution for the Cayman Islands.
Important amendments to our Constitution, ease of doing business in the Cayman Islands, job creation, strengthening our relations with the UK, and dealing with the cost of living, I think are top priorities.
Get rid of all of the Premier Protocol perks, the double dipping, and rescind their massive 2009 MLA pay increases (that many of these same PPM silently accepted).
Please not Buzzard. He is anti-business, anti-expat and not a very nice person. All he did do in representing his "kiddie district" is continue the exposes of Big Mac. Please–think about Roy or Moses or Tara. Please.
If the ppm had any sense they would re-consider that as it is clear that people are as UNEASY with Alden as they are with Mac being premier.
If the PP
M didn't have sense we wouldn't have elected them to run our country.
What reasoning is that? the UDP were also elected by the people and as it should be clear by now that did not guarantee them "having sense".
Face facts: Moses would be a better Premier whether the party likes to admit it or not.
Unfortunately the UDP were elected by the people that didn't have sense. Whether you like to admit it or not the party will elect who THEY want to be premier.
I bet you if Kirky was running we would vote for him too!
Over McKeeva Bush? You bet.
Anyone is a better option than McKeeva. Dishonourable disgrace of a politician facing criminals trials.
You see? You already have money to throw away now that the PPM is in.
On top of the alliances wtc to form a Government, who will be the Leader of the Opposition?????
Congratulations to all.
Now lets elect the best people to be Ministers.
Remember, Cayman Islands First,
remember thats what it's all about.
Or, is it party first?
lol lmao ! "Now lets elect the best people to be Ministers" We've had our say already what happens next until 2017 is now out of our control
Has anyone seen or heard from the Jordanian?
M.I.A.
We can only hope!
Saw him boarding the first flight out this morning. He was wearing a hoodie and extra large dark glasses.
He called in to Talk Today!
Ezzard as speaker…lol
It could be worse I guess. Now, Mr Alden and the rest of you, remember those promises you made? Now is the time for you to start the promises ball rolling.
what promises? the same crap as we had back in 2005? great. very disappointed in these results.
I thought Ezzard and Arden said they would not back Alden as Premier? Promises?
Arden said no such thing. Arden has said although they have philosophical differences he is willing to work with Alden.
Where u been living????
Annointed at last!!! There will be no living with him now……….
That's all he wanted.
PPM witin power again … Let us pray
Thank you God the PPM is within power again. Amen.
Oh boy, and these guys brought the country into a deficit of ??? figures last time. I hope they engage with auditing the country's finances now that they are in
UDP just accept your defeat, go home and lick your wounds. At last we can have a respectacle goverment back again
A respectacle government is one that will look again?
Or one that will look back?
Lets hope its honest, and maybe then respectable!
This deficit of ??? figures should be audited becasue some manipulation of finances was going on during the 2009 election race.
It was 18 million deficit when PPM in the last two months, but once they left office the deficit jumped to 54mil then to 81mil as stated by the most professional self-appointed 2009 -2012 Minister of Finance – Really that is a 63 million difference!! Isn't this a little bit craftily suspicious? Where did the difference disappear to?
Congrats to all, hopefully we can now move on and get the job done, together.
Victory aside, I just can't help but notice there are some 1500 people on this island who advocate Bush andhis politriks.
What the XXX is wrong with you people?
You've voted a XXXX and his team back into government! A complete moron represents the face of West Bay, and I can't help but state that the district of West Bay has the largest amount of dumb people in our population.
and they will now get the kind of representation they deserve cause the money pot has dried-up! Bush has no longer the necessary access to keep the pay roll going…….
Well if you going to look at poll numbers and state the district that has largest amount of dumb people in our population, the polls show that is George Town in first with 1,889, trailing behind by West Bay's 1,583 in second place, and secured in third is Bodden Town with 1,352.
We are all affected by this team.
Glad to see that the UDP got what it deserved. Unfortuante that the PPM could be back in control. 9 seats isn't a majority but it's amazing how soon people forget how much the PPM contributed to the current debt load. Unrealistic spending and the inability to make decisions when budget cuts were needed are just two things that come to mind from their last term in power. Hopefully the independents can keep them in line. All it takes is for one of them to not be present in the LA and they can lose a vote on any legislation. Let's just hope that there are no more scandals!
Wow. Some people just cannot un-brainwash themselves. The main reason the PPM had to spend the money in the first place was because of the massive status grants by McKeeva that put so much stress on the countries infastructure that the PPM had NO CHOICE but to spend the money.
Hey Mac how ya like how them status grants backfired on ya? BaHaHa!!!!
I for one am PROUD of those new Caymanians who did the RIGHT thing! Now we can go back to working at living in harmony, just like it should be.
What utter GARBAGE!!!! The main reason PPM spent so much in the first place is because of arrogance and absolutely no fiscal management skills whatsover. He should be flogged for spending 100M+ on ONE high school in the midst of a recession. He could have built a school for $20M(I am being very generous because Prep was built for $5M) and your argument would have made more sense. Noticed I didnt touch the other 100M+ high school, Arden spending on the roads and the new Govt administration building all at the same time all above budget and extravagant!
"In the midst of a recession"? Really have to wonder what planet you are on, it sure is not planet Earth. The worldwide recession began in earnest in late 2008 about six months before the 2009 election. The only garbage is your McKeeva like numbers and the rewriting of history which is another UDP or just plain MORON tactic. Or maybe you or one of your developer friends received one of those bogus contracts that pushed the cost of the Frank Sound school up way past what it was supposed to have cost? But you'll just keep that hush hush right? Guess you would rather sit in traffic for hours, road rage and have all the children be miserable and uneducated, just as Mac would like it. Even if your numbers were credible what YEAR was Prep built? Have any idea how much commodities and labor increased during the great worldwide contruction era that even the Chinese are suffocating from now? The scarcity of concrete alone drove up building prices to ridiculous heights.
What cost Arden and the PPM the government in 2009 was that yes he tried to do too much at one time (a mistake he has admited to, unlike Mac who will never admit a mistake) but his intentions were noble as the plan was to save CIG money and economic opportunity costs in the future, a plan that the now dismissed UDP/PNA bozos completely scuttled. Combine that with the sudden downturn in the economy, Mac and the UDP telling lies, lies and more lies that far too many people fell for and the fact that NOSTRADAMUS did not warn him about the upcoming recession. Even the most learned economists on Planet Earth did not forsee the depth of the 2008/2009 recession. Sandwich all of that in between two of the most damaging hurricanes that Grand Cayman and the sister isles have ever seen and you have the ARROGANCE to mention lack of fiscal management skills? Oh and let us not forget the fact that sadly most people do not understand Economics 101, a category you most obviously fit in.
Oh wait! Should have known that was you Foolio, since you are out of a job now, nothing better to do than blog ignorance I see. Apologies to anyone that has not had the opportunity to actually receive an advanced education and really would not know better.
Shame on you, Cayman. You finally had a chance to change, with candidates who had run successful businesses, and you voted for the same good ol' boy network.
Glad I left Cayman last year.
Glad you left keep on going please don't return
Now the expats if they want to be a part of the community would kindly behave themselves. Caymanians finally getting back their country. The rest of you just have to toll the line
no worries, we never needed business expats like yourself in the first place! cayman can always replace the ole for the new
or just rotate out the old and the old
Glad you left. How’s things in your perfect world or is it ?
we glad u left 2
We are very happy that some successful business people put themselves forward, and have also been elected! It's now time for all to work together…successful business people and new and experiences MLA's, for Integrity and thus a better Cayman!
And if you "left Cayman last year" then why the ongoing interest? Is it not that rosy a picture where you went to?
Many more educated and successful business people and experienced people will continue to make Cayman one of the best small island nations to live, raise a family and do business!
But first we must pull up our sleeves and do the work…for the short and long haul…not run away when things get a bit rough!
bad news for dart, expats and anybody who wants to make this island better……….. caymanians will suffer too……
Are you saying Caymanians don't want to make Cayman better? Foolishness.
Are you saying expats are the only ones who can make Cayman better? How foolish of you.
Are you saying Dart is the only way to do that? How foolish of you.
Foolish Dartanian bigot is what you I'd call you.
English comprehension was not your strength at school was it? SInce the "anybody who wants to make the islands better" is a reference in addition to Dart and Expats, it is pretty obvious that the poster was referring to Caymanians who wanted to make the islands better.
yeah look at the last ppmterm….ended in bankruptcy and rollover was introduced…
you obviously don't understand the damage this has done to the country…..
it's an even greater shame that the udp had not got the competence to rectify the situation….
The more things change the more things stay the same…
Especially when it comes to crappy amateur investors who support McKeeva and McKeeva like tactics. Sounds like anyone you know?
Don't need much time to think about it do you? Exactly….
"Cayman breathed a sigh of relief that it had a stable administration and was not facing the prospect of horse-trading or backroom deals"
That's a very jaundiced view of non-party politics. For me, I think it would have been great if a coalition was required. We've just suffered from 4 years of the arrogance of power. When you have to actually talk to people and reach agreement through discussion, choices are more often in the interests of more people.
So YOU may be breathing a sigh of relief that PPM are the governing party, but many of us are actually just breathing a sigh of relief that Bush is no longer the grand fromage, and praying and hoping that the PPM don't let power go to their heads.
Actually a coalition is in fact required since the PPM did not gain an overall majority of seats.
Breathe in that sweet, fresh air!
Our nation should be in mourning not celebrating. A lot of things are better than Keke but Alden surely isn't. My heart is completely broken. *tears*
Hopefully the rest of the elected members will keep Alden in check. His arrogance is scary – but I'd take him any day over Big Mac. That man is dangerous and is selling the island out from under us. So sad that the West Bayers are too blind to see. Guess they feel a hand out today is better than a future for their children tomorrow. WAKE UP West Bay. After Big Mac helps Dart to control the island HE (Dart) will set the prices. You think times are hard now? You ain't seen nothing yet. They only want rich people here and you are only making it easier for them to make that happen – you are just a pawn in their game. You are disposable and when the time comes you will see how much. FOOLS!!!
Your brain is completely broken as well.
Get over paper status
Here, take this piece of bounty tissue and dry your tears – geez why are you so emotional? are you afraid that your covered dirt might now be brought to light?