Mac will lead opposition
(CNS): While the government front bench remained in question Monday as Tara Rivers continued to consider the offer of a Cabinet post made to her by the premier in waiting, there seemed to be no challenge to McKeeva Bush’s role as opposition leader. According to the constitution, it is the leader of the largest party that is expected to take up that position, which points to the former premier and leader of the UDP. Although the C4C entered into an agreement of some kind to work with the two independents in an effort to negotiate their way on to the PPM front bench, there is no indication that the group of five will be coming together to oppose Bush’s candidacy as the official leader of the opposition.
While the C4C team and the independents were all still holding out on supporting McLaughlin’s government, hoping for more seats at the government table, Tara Rivers is set to meet with her constituents on Monday evening regarding her decision to join it as a minister but has said that there should be a coalition government with at least one more Cabinet seat going to independents.
The PPM had agreed to extend their deadline for Rivers until 8am Tuesday, ahead of their press briefing to confirm the Cabinet, giving her one final chance to join them.
Meanwhile, Arden McLean echoed comments by Miller that section 45 of the constitution did not give McLaughlin a majority, regardless of his invitation to Juliana O’Connor-Connolly to be speaker. However, the former PPM member said he would not be attempting to block McLaughlin as premier, despite what he believed were constitutional issues that were thrown-up by the election result.
McLean also vehemently denied that he had ever said he would not work with the PPM prior to the election but had indicated that he would wait to see what happened. He added that his position had been that he would not, under any circumstances, work with Bush in government.
While all of the independent candidates may still be hoping for a slice of government, none of them have commented on how the opposition will shape up and whether the C4C candidates will be scrutinizing government through Bush or whether they will be seeking to pull together a non-aligned opposition group to sit in “opposition to the opposition”. This term was coined by Bush when he moved to the opposition benches following the vote of no confidence in December for his UDP administration and the subsequent split from his former colleagues.
When Bush chose to sit on the opposition benches in the few short meetings of the LA after the downfall of his government, it was clear that, despite his fracture with his former government colleagues, he was equally in opposition to the then formal opposition leader and even informally challenged McLaughlin for the job on the floor of the House, as at the time he, like the PPM leader, had four seats.
Bush’s UDP now only has three seats in the LA but the C4C, which although not a party is not constitutionally prevented from being an official opposition, have three seats and the eastern independents have two. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has offered her support to the PPM government and, in order to avoid a hung parliament, has accepted the nomination as speaker.
Unless the C4C and the independents join forces to become the official opposition or unless they do decide to follow in O’Connor-Connolly’s footsteps and offer to support McLaughlin’s government, they will be joining Bush on the opposition benches with him as leader.
Miller, who was the only one of the ‘independents’ group to talk about his opposition role, told CNS that he would continue to oppose what is necessary and did not need any title.
He said he had acted as a clear but independent opposition voice, scrutinizing government and representing the people of the Cayman Islands without the tag of opposition leader during the last administration and he was happy to do so again during the next one.
Tara Rivers will be holding a meeting at the John A Cumber Primary School in West Bay Monday evening at 7pm to speak with the district about the offer made to her.
Category: Politics
WE must learn to forgive those whom have leaded us wrong or have been a vexation to our souls in the Past,including our Former Premier Mckeeva Bush and others. However we must pray for them that a lesson has been learned for them. I now pray that IF Big Mac is elected as the Leader of Opposition that he will change his ways and choice of words both in the Legisslative Assembly and in the Media. He must now work for the betterment of the Country as an Elected Member and not be disrespecful while in the House and not keep provoquing others. Anyone doing so too many times should be removed from the floor and sanctionned. Yes forgive we must , but forgetting the pain caused will take time and correct actions will see to it in time. This is a time where All must work together. I command our current new Premier Hon.Alden for forming such a capable Cabinet and reaching across the aisles to achieve this goal even if it was needed. Congatulations to everyone involved as We the People need some form of belongning and proper representation for all of us and our future Generations. If We Love One Another more in an Agape manner it will bring back our sense of Pride and belongning iin our Beloved Cayman Islands . God bless, Michel Lemay
Great – 4 more years of that irritating high-pitched buzzing sound constantly around our heads… can't block it out, can't swat it, can't stand the irrational and offensive content. Just great….
This could be part of the rehabilitation of Big Mac, having to ask others what they think instead of telling them what they think.
Haha….now that's politics for you.
Roy said he refused to form a government with Mac or Alden at the head…….
Yet he may be willing to form an opposition with Mac as Leader…go figure.
The irony is as thick as dem grey June clouds we got this morning.
Don’t get your point sah, you are viewing Politricks 101, never say never, kapish.
It'll be short-lived due to his facing those criminal charges, so don't worry too much, folks. He'll soon be gone, this time for good, I'm praying.
Oh sense where art thou??? "I'm praying". What a prayer. I guess Karma is going to answer this one for you because I know the good Lord doesn't answer those kind of prayers.
The Lord doesn't answer prayers for justice to be done? Since when?
Where will Julie put her spectacles? On top of the wig???
mac has been appointed to stand next to her to hold them.
Actually, I am glad that McKeeva is still visible politically.
His buffoonery is always entertaining.
And, in opposition, his entertaining antics will be much less expensive for us than when he was in power.
Alden, Roy, Ezzard, Arden how can you make Mack be leader of anything considering his current position with the authorities? Somehow Mack and Ju Ju always come out on top. You certain they don’t have stuff on you all?
20.29..right on…hey Opposition!!! Are you there???All get together, and exclude UDP from leading anything…we are sick of this mans voice, the public spoke and you as opposition allowing him the oxygen will only mean he stirs it up constantly…get together,if not as a party then at least united in opposing him and cut off his air supply, for Gods sake!! This cannot be allowed…another scandal coming when the leader of the oppistion goes to trial!!
I fully CONCUR. To make that abusive and unruly 'BEING' as Leader of Opposition will only be another ATTROCITY in the HINDERANCE to a 'Positive' and productive recovery and good governance of these Islands.
OUT with that 'being' once and for all. OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT!!!….
I can assure all of Cayman that McKeeva Bush even if appointed as Leader of Opposition will not lead Ezzard Miller on the Opposition Bench. I sat in the southeast courner for four years withh the PPM KirtTibbetts and Alden Mclaughlin as Leader of the Opposition and did not join them. Most Caymanians will admit if even grudgely that I was a more effective opposition that both of them.
Ezzard
It doesn't seem that McKeeva Bush isn't the only person that you cannot and will not work with. You are too bull headed and think you know it all to work with any body it seems. You need to come down from that high horse you are on and maybe just maybe sometime in the election future you'll be able to sit somewhere else (if not outside in the next election) other than in the southeast corner of the LA. What a brag for a politician! You are not working with this one or that one. Well, you had better find some body to work with because you'll never be the Premier and hope that some day people will stop leaving all these NOTES in your windshield.
That’s right Ezzard. At least we can depend on you to stand on your principles. I for one am happy you will be unbridled in your opposition.
I voted PPM in George Town, for the first time but I am glad someone like youare there to reign in excessive spending and to help move them along on important issues like OMOV.
For someone that lost so many votes to Joey even thou you won, it doesn’t say much for you!!!
Unfortunately we have stupid woters in every district. You are clear proof of that fact.
Ezzard sorry Hezzard, I would hazzard a guess that you say you don’t care, but you really care. You did not spend 4 years tearing down and dragging gown just for so. It strikes me that you now know your limitations and will not seek to even think even remotely about being Premier of this country, na gon happen bro, you ave burned ya self out.
Ezzard, Arden, Roy, Winston and Tara if she does not take the cabinet seat have the numbers greater than the UDP three in Opposition and one of them should be the leader of Opposition not McKeeva Bush
Numbers are one thing but the law says the Leader of the Opposition will be from a party.
Looks like CNS should have read a little further down the page of the constitution before printing that headline. C$C doesn't even have to say "party", they can just say "we are a group of members." I guess that means they need to hang onto Tara or get hold of Ezzard or Arden since they need to fill out the bridge table to outnumber UDP. I wonder whatother fun civics lessons await us.
I believe the Governer will be guided by the election report as to who belongs to which party or group which is why Alden needed Tara because even if Juju joined the PPM they could get the Governor to appint Alden as the Election report says PPM – 9 seats PNA – 1 seat. on the back bench will say UDP -3 seats Independents 2 C4C 3. C4C declared it is not a party
Tara is the only one left on the other side worth considering for a ministerial postion. The other 4 have declared they wont work with the PPm leader. They clearly will only form a coalition govt if they can be premier. Country First – my back foot.
ENOUGH ALREADY !!!
And this was what Roy and Jude meant when they said they didn’t care if a coalition govt would mean horse-trading. Blame the C4C.
Can anyone say when is McKeeva due to reappear in court on eleven charges of official corruption?
And please send in the best the UK has to convict him!
In our Constitution please read subsection(7) under section 68 whic deals with the leader of the opposistion. It says :
"In this section “opposition political party” includes a group of members of the Legislative Assembly in opposition to the Government who are prepared to support one of their numberas their leader."
Clearly Mr Bush is not automatically LOO. If a larger group then Macs three get together and decde differently then he is not it.
Good point.
Will require more than 3 of them to agree – not looking so good so far!
Will require more than 3 of them to agree – not looking so good so far!
Well someone has to do it and
Yeah, and it's one thing to be the "leader of the opposition" and another thing to actually do it. Like C$C is going to listen real closely to him when it's time to vote.
We have 9 PPM, 3 UDP, 3 C4C, 2 Indians, and 1 PNA. I think C4C would do a better job at being the Opposition since they have the same number of MLAs like the UDP party. That means Tara Rivers MAY do well for the newly Independent party if she's not bought by Alden McLaughlin. It would be a game changer if the cabinet position went to Arden Mclean.
Hilarious! Mac gets to lead Ezzard, Arden, and the C4C as opposition?! Da wha you all get! So your letter of agreement to work together is now cemented for a 4 year period and crowned with Mac as your leader. LOL it must be that thing they call Karma.
I Agree,Arden, Ezzard,Winston, Roy……Uny Take That!!!!! Go meet your destiny, Have McKeeva for BOSS!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahah….that's what happens to those who want power. Thought you're all better than Alden.
Unless Mac gets his bracelets as anticipated, then…
Plaaaaaaesssse TARA, do not leave the C4C group to ride high in a PPM ministerial post. You were elected to oppose the two parties – STICK TO YOUR WORD
This is where you people go wrong. She was elected to do the best she can for her community and her country. If this means opposition to PPM then okay but the same should also hold true. You people have to stop being crabs in a bucket.
Maybe the purpose of these negotiations is for the residents of Cayman to get a birds eye view of the real characters of the C4C and the Independents. I didn't get fooled, I voted straight PPM
Tara needs to hold her grounds and not join the PPM. There are 3 C4C just like UDP, and I think they should take the Opposition title from them !!
No one is asking Tara to join the PPM, just to take a ministry.
Just to point out the correct constitutional position on Leader of the Opposition as CNS in this article as well as the hosts of Rooster's Crosstalk both have it wrong.
Section 68 (1) There shall be a leader of the Opposition who shall be appointed by the Governor.
(2) The Governor shall appint as Leader of the Opposition –
(a) the elected member of the Legislative Asembly recommended by a majority of the elected members of the Assembly who are member of any opposition POLITICAL PARTY whose numerical strength in Assembly is greater than that of any other opposition political party;
(b) if it appears to the Governor that there is no such party but that there is an elected member of the Assembly who would be acceptable as Leader of the Opposition to a majority of the members ofthe Assembly in opposition to the Government, that member; or
(c) if it appears to the Governor that there is no such person, then the Governor shall appoint as Leader of the Opposition that person who in his opinionwould be acceptable to the greatest number of members of the Assembly in opposition to the Government.
As the UDP has three members on the Opposition side and no other party is represented the Governor shall appoint who the UDP choses. In this case only section 2 (a) is applicable.
On another note is it not interesting that the PPM chose as Speaker the Deputy Premier from the Government with the worst preformance and reputation in the history of Cayman and who operated the legislative Assemble in directe contravention of the standing orders, the constitution and good governence. What does this say about the way then intend to operate the Legislative Assembly
Not so quick. The C4C only have to declare themselves a party, and with the help of Tara become the leaders in opposition. Nothing stopping them to do so now.
Also, take note of the wording “if it appears to the Governor” in (b) and (c); this clearly leaves it to his own judgement to decide who will be the opposition’s leader, as “appears” most appropriate.
You need to read the whole section, 68(7) makes everything clear…see several other posts on here for detail….
I am so disappointed with Tara. Is she going to have a meeting in West Bay before every vote or decision that she needs to make as an MLA for the district?
Maintaining communication with her constituents is nothing to be ashamed of. As a West Bayer I welcome the communication and Tara's style of leadership, especially when it comes to such an important decision. Maybe she should revert to the old secret style (CHEC agreement ring any bells???) that we all love so much!
To: "I am so disappointed with Tara"
I am so proud of Tara. no we don't expect her to come to us with every decision she has to make but we expect her to keep us abreast of every important issues that concern us.
Whether she was to take the position or not was of great concern to us as we didn't have the full detai of what PPM wanted in return. Tara is too smart too be fooled by anyone and we know PPM will not try that because they know that West Bay is not a district they can just turn a key and walk in, they have to be invited there and so the best way is to treat our representative fairly and maybe just maybe we will not be too quick to slam the door in their face next election.
Well Jeez. Mac spends all your money and makes decisions on his own without input from his constituents or even his cabinet colleagues on occasions, and now you complain when somebody actually does come to the people seekiing their input.
No pleasing some people…
Please, no. Having post as "Leader of the Opposition" is how McKeeva bent ex-Governor Jack's ear into holding that stupid commission and Tempura among other things. If his constituents consider his representation adequate, and want him to be paid public money that is one thing. To give him a post that, in the Westminster system, is valued for what it represents and therefore entitles the occupant to some level of public attention, is another. It would give him an expectation of consultation (and in some cases a right to it) for some of the Governor's reserve powers as well as a power of nomination for some government bodies and a prominence in the LA that is counterproductive and undeserved.
How can you have someone leading a contingent of 3 as the official opposition to a group of 10 in a body of 18, the other 5 of whom seem set to do a lot of actual, helpful opposing. It's a farce.
Lead the Opposition? What??? has the world gone mad? Roy/ Winston, surely are much more suitable??????
Roy and Winston are so sublime but they forgot to form a political party! They have a few lessons to learn about how to run a country! Sitting on the back bench with McKeeva Bush as the leader of the Opposition is not as fancy as being the Managing partner of an accounting firm!
Look at 68(7) of the constitution, leader of the opposition does not have to be from a party, just a group of opposition mlas who agree, so if Ray, Winston, Ezzard and Arden agree on one of their number then Mac can be ruled out….. 68(7) defines, for the section dealing with appointing LOTO, “opposition party” it gives a very wide interpretation…. And is definitely NOT an organised party.
Yes anon 1531 but dont forget they are not a party.
I do hope that I stop laughing in time to go to work tomorrow.
"Mac will lead.."…spine chilling words. Can we never get rid of this man…?
Come on C4C, Ezzard and Arden, there are SIX of you to Mac's three – don't let down peoples trust in you and let him be able to run his mouth as leader of the opposition – please!
The Governor has to choose. Mac can't appoint himself.
Seriously Guys, are you really going to let Mac be leader of the Opposition? Really?
We would all be much better off if we never again say a headline that mentions Bush, McKeeva, Mac, Big Mac, The Big Fry, Dirty Willie, Senor Stinko or any other reference to the national traitor unless it mentions jail time.
Hope Tara does the right thng and stays away from the long arm of the losers.
If Tara goes into the government, that leaves 7 in opposition and Bush only has three votes. I do not think the other four will have any problem choosing someone else.
I do not think you are reading the constitution correctly. Bush needs 2 more votes to be opposition leader. He does not have this. That being the case there is no impediment to someone else being opposition leader if they get 5 votes from "members in opposition to the government."
Holy Cow! BEFORE any Independents form ANY alliance, they had better remember what they ran on and WHO for!?
What is the bloody hurry Mac? We had a half govt since Christmas, so what is the rush?
For you newbie politicians. Stop. Take a breath and consult your people.
For the new Leader of the PPM, we SAW a 35% increase in the # number of civil servants under your last watch and crippling debt. Do not repeat the same!
We are not a socialistic society and need to go back to hard working ways.
In the selection/appointment of leader of Opposition at least need not be a registered or named party:
s 68 (7) In this section “opposition political party” includes a group of members of the Legislative Assembly in opposition to the Government who are prepared to support one of their number as their leader.
and in the Constitution it is defined as (s124)
“political party” means a group of persons who have united to contest election for membership of the Legislative Assembly;
Also Leader of the Opposition has several important Constitutional responsibilities:
Sits on National Security Council and advises on membership (s58)
Advises on members of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (s40)
Advises on members of the Electoral Boundary Commission (s88)
Advises on members of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (s105)
Advises on members of the Human Rights Commission (s116)
Advises on members of the Commission for Standards in Public Life (s117)
Advises on members of the Constitutional Commission (s118)
Advises on appointment of Complaints Commissioner (s120)
If it is as you say and a political party is a "group of persons who have united to contest an election" then the C4C would be considered a party, however if they join now with the two independent members from EE and NS in order to have more than the UDP, my reading is that it would hold mustard. Reason being they didnt come together as a group to contest the election (which i assume means BEFORE the election).
So whichever way you cut it, Mckeeva will be leader of the Opposition, that is of course unless the Governor gets some bad legal advice and appoints Roy just before he leaves the island.
No because 68 provides a specific definition for that section….
s 68 (7) In this section “opposition political party” includes a group of members of the Legislative Assembly in opposition to the Government who are prepared to support one of their number as their leader.
so you only have to be a very loose group of opposition MLAs, not in any form of "party" so Ezzard, Arden, Ray and Winston could be that Group….
Oh Jeezus, how much worse can it get? Thought we'd gotten rid of him and now nothing's gonna get done with him around stamping his feet, sulking, having tantrums and laying blame every time he can't get his own way…
Let's get both Tara and Arden on board and you will have a fantastic Cabinet!