Alden’s top job now official

| 28/05/2013

al n juju (226x300)_1.jpg(CNS): The Cayman Islands governor has given his official nod to the country’s new political leader and has formally appointed Alden McLaughlin to the post of premier. The appointment came following news that the former premier, who only recently resigned from the UDP, has joined the PPM. Duncan Taylor said Tuesday that after he was informed that Juliana O'Connor-Connolly had joined the PPM and all of the other elected members of the PPM were offering him their support, the governor could make the constitutional appointment and he congratulated the new leader. Although McLaughlin's PPM team was by far the largest political party or group returned to the LA after last Wednesday's general election, with nine seats the Progressives were one short of a majority.

McLaughlin needed the support of at least ten MLAs before the governor could appoint him as premier. The news that Juliana O'Connor-Connolly had actually joined the PPM cleared the way for McLaughlin to be appointed.

“Iwas today informed that the Hon Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, MLA, JP has joined the People’s Progressive Movement. This, in effect, gives the PPM a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly,” Taylor said.

Although O’Connor-Connolly had reserved any commitment to joining the party, last weekend she had offered her support publicly for the Progressives administration when she agreed to accept the speaker’s nomination. As the former PNA candidate made the decision Tuesday to become a card carrying member of the PPM, McLaughlin had enough support to formally become premier.

“I subsequently received a recommendation from all the elected members of that party as to who they would wish to be appointed Premier. In line with their recommendation and under Section 49 (2) of the Constitution, I have this afternoon appointed the Hon. Alden M. McLaughlin, Jr, MLA, MBE, JP as Premier of the Cayman Islands,” Taylor added. “I would like to congratulate the new premier on his appointment.”

Following the recent turmoil between the UK’s representative and the first premier of Cayman, McKeeva Bush, McLaughlin has said he hopes to improve on the relationship. The interim government led by O’Connor-Connolly made the first steps after Bush’s arrest in December to improve the soured UK-Cayman relationship. 

During the campaign McLaughlin spoke at length about the need to improve the relationship and work closely with the UK to address Cayman’s financial situation. He said he hopes his Cabinet can talk with the UK officials at the FCO about the long term budget plans so the PPM government can begin to lift the austerity tax package, giving the local economy a chance at recovery.

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  1. Unholy Rapture says:

    That woman needs to be held accountable and responsible for  her actions whilst she was a minister and premier its a national disgrace to hand her such a post  for the sake of political expediency an absolute disgrace. It clearly is not popular and doesn't bode well for these islands. PNA needs to be POGFOG Put out of government for Good! Poor old Rolly and CG Marky and Sacred Vessel you all in the big time now!

  2. Anonymous says:

    The fact that O'Conner-Conolly is now a PPM card carrying member is disgusting.  She was no better than the former Permier in spending the country's funds for elaborate and unnessary travel, paving roads and providing herself with security and accommodation.  I am very disappointed that the Progressives have taken her within their folds and pray that this is not indicative of the future of how they will conduct themselves.

    WE the people voted for honesty and integrity, which includes ethics.  This early move is anything but ethical and shows a lack of values.

     

    Disappointed…….

    • Anonymous says:

      Just goes to show you simply cannot please all the people all the time. Press on PPM.

    • Anonymous says:

      The shenanigans by C4C and thetwo Independents gave the PPM no choice but to look to Juliana. It was a very smart move on their part and completely took the wind out of the sails of C4C.  Would you have preferred if C4C had been able to strong-arm the PPM as the people's choice into undoing the results of the election?

    • The lone haranguer says:

      Me too.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Julianna is PIP – Party in Power – and always has been. Carefully review her public statements on ANYTHING that is controversial and you will see that she neither supporter or opposed it. She is the consummate politician, ready to go whichever way will keep her in power.

  4. Olivia Pope, the gladiator. says:

    Juliana is an expert in survival skills. After assesing the results in the sister islands, she knew she was on a downward spiral and with the right person next  election in 4 years time, running with Moses, she would not stand a chance. She is also aware that being out in the wilderness she cannot claim to do anything constructive for CB & LC, but if she now hangs on to the coat tail of Moses, she can also lay claim to what he may accomplish. Secondly, she can now lay claim to putting COUNTRY FIRST. By joining the Progressives, she has allowed the Governor to proceed with the appointment of Alden as Premier, without having to go to a vote in the LA. She has in one stroke created certainty. She will also be able to know what is going on in the PPM, as a party member.

    On another topic, Arden has been a  dissappointment. My observation of him over the past 2 years, is that he is undisciplined and he has become the "lap dog" of Ezzard Miller. Next time arround the Progressives should have candidates running in EE and NS. The present 2 are untrustworthy.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations to Alden and thank God we have a new government and that they are trying to be inclusive of those who want to work with the govt.  Those who don't, shame on you.  OUr country is in a big mess and we need all of you to put aside your differences and work together for the good of our country.  I pray that they will continue to be open, transparent and inclusive.  It would b ea shame to waste any of the talents of our elected members.  Let's support them all in prayer and stop the negative comments and rumour spreading.  They need all the support they can get – especially those who were elected for the first time.  Now we have hope that our relationship with the UK can be fixed and not be ashamed every time our Premier opens his mouth.  

     

     

  6. Anonymous says:

    Wondering why Mckeeva has been so quiet? a little birdie told me, he is chilling out in the Bahamas with his entourage. I just wondered who is paying for that trip?

    • Anonymous says:

      He is going to put the money Ellio raised for his defense on the blackjack table and double it.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Unemployment is now Tara Rivers baby, not the PPM's.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Would you all just give the Government a chance on doing their work? There is a process that needs to be completed first before they starts their agenda and to be honest this is the first time we have this kind of Government in the LA. For Christ sake, be patient!!  Remember the UDP Government? They cause a big mess, because they were NOT patient.  So far as I see it, Mr. Alden is doing a great job trying to get everyone on board, but there are some that wants the Premiership and it can only be one.  The leader of the winning PPM team, they have the majority. Give him a chance please. I know a lot of you don't like him, because he is NO pushover and most of you don't know why you don't like him, just beccause McKeeva says so. Get to know the man and you would be very surprise how humble, wise and smart the guy is. No he is not corrupted, he is just too squeaky clean for some of you.

  9. Baldric says:

    Miss Julie had more parties than Hugh Hefner!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Try so get your facts straight 19:29. It is ‘pretending to be happy in my southeast corner’ Ezzard that is refusing to work with Premier McLaughlin, not the other way around.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I ask again "Where will JuJu wear her glasses/spectacles?" On her wig????

  12. Anonymous says:

    Ms. Altia must be smiling and dancing about in heaven. She would be so proud of her only son, who is now the Premier.  Make her proud Premier Alden, hold you head high and do the right thing, God will be with you to guide you to do right for Cayman.  We George Towners are so proud, please don't let us down like the first Premier. We love you and will be praying for you. God bless you and your lovely wife Kim and kids.

    • Rorschach says:

      Hmm Premier of the Cayman Islands…kinda like Skipper on the Minnow…

      • Anonymous says:

        Envy is a bitch.

      • Anonymous says:

        Cayman is the fifth largest banking centre in the world, is the largest offshore domicile for hedge funds in the world, and has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. No comparison to the Minnow at all. Pathetic attempt at ridicule.   

        • Rorschach says:

          The days of Cayman being the "fifth largest banking center in the world" are LOONG gone…hedge funds..meh..Highest GDP in the world..source??…this is like rearranging deck chairs on the titanic..you can hoop and holler all you want…the glory days are long over and they ain't never coming back…you all suffer from a severe case of Big Fish/small pond syndrome…

          • Anonymous says:

            lol. Someone should tell the BBC that.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20219637 . The Banker magazine’s 2012 survey of international financial centres, gave Cayman top ranking as a Specialised Finance Centre beating all other financial centres globally in this category.

            If you re-read the post you will find it said "one of the highest per capita GDP in the world", not "the highest GDP in the world".  

             

  13. Anonymous says:

    Let’s call for early elections because they all lied to us and now stand for nothing more than self interest. PPM where is your pride? Ms Julie how could you do this and not consult your UDP PNA constituents? Why the C4C joining a party I thought they was independents and none have Ben been sworn in yet.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Lets move this country forward Mr. McLaughlin… Train is moving and I thank God that we are now moving..  Each and everyone of us must do our part..

     

  15. Anonymous says:

    I’m not so sure that on a literal interpretation of Section 49(2) of the Constitution, that the Governor should have purportedly appointed Alden as Premier. Section 49(2) reads, “where a political party gains a majority of seats of elected members of the Legislative Assembly, the Governor shall appoint as Premier the elected member of the Assembly recommended by a majority of the elected members who are members of that party”.
    At the recent election, the PPM did not “gain” a majority of seats. They had to make deal with Julianna, (who seems willing to jump into bed, politically speaking, with any party) after the fact. So, by virtue of the fact that when she gained her seat she was not a member of the PPM party, the PPM party did not gain a majority of seats in the LA. It all turns on what the drafters of the constitution meant by “gains a majority of seats”. The obvious argument for the PPM will be that the Constitution doesn’t define the word “gain” and therefore it doesn’t matter how and when those seats are “gained”, and so section 49(2) can still be invoked in the instant case. This cannot be right in principle, and although it would have been clearer if that sub-section included the words, after the word “gain” “after a general election”, it must be implicit that this is what it means, as this is the only way that a member of the LA can “gain” a seat (ie by way of election).
    Whilst it may sound a bit esoteric or a technical argument to so strictly construe section 49(2, if we were to interpret the constitution so liberally as to allow the appointment of the Premier by way of such after the fact “deal making” so as to expand the numbers of party members in parliament to gain a majority of seats at any time, without reference to the election process, then the result would be that Section 49(2) could be invoked at any time during an election cycle, thereby creating ample opportunities for “coups” to occur, by deal making and “party jumping”. Lets pray that that’s not what’s in store for us!
    Therefore I would implore HE the Governor to carefully consider getting advice from a constitutional legal expert before he ends up making a costly blunder that could cause much disarray and dismay in the future.

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually, it can kick in at any time, in practice. Its called a vote of no confidence. When someone else gains the support of the majority.

      • Anonymous says:

        You have no idea what you're talking about. I think you should grow brush up on your Wesminister parliamentary proceedings notes. Who else could have "gained" the majority? Can you do math? And don't you think the governor would have done his homework on this? You are all just trying to prevent the country from moving forward. Give it up. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Who then do you think "gained" the majority?  C4C – 3, UDP – 3, IND – 2, PNA – 1!

    • Anonymous says:

      I concur with you. The governor should seek advice from a constitutional expert as this is not a clear, cut and dried case.It also puts stop to the members of the PPM who have been jumping on Rooster claiming that they needed no one as they had a majority. Not so! Obviously the Gov was not convinced.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      This is nonsense. Please give it a rest. All that matters is that the PPM has gained 10 seats in the House and no one else comes close. You need to accept that you lost and move on.

      Coups can occur mid-term but (unfortunately) they require a 2/3 majority.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Proof again, you can't trust a politician.

    They change their mind about Bodden dump and change parties if needed.

    And all for the money, power and their faces in the paper.

    Big selfish ego's. No exceptions . . . .

  17. 4 Cayman says:

    I am too confused by these various other members allowing to join a party after much campaigning was done against each other. Actually I am now furious as I feel really cheated. I voted for ppm on the basis of their manifesto and for what they stood for i.e. against UDP, PNA and independents now they go and join forces with each other??????

    So where do we stand as they all had different manifestos. One preaching more taxes and to move the dump in Bodden town whilst the ppm was rolling back taxes and keeping the dump out of Bodden town.

    Someone mentioned this was a game of chess. However please bear in mind when you are trying to check mate with Big Mack, there are people that are suffering due to hardship that has been bestowed on us by the previous administration.

    I was really hoping for hope but now I only see party politricks!

  18. Anonymous says:

    CAYMAN BRAC IS NOW OFFICIALLY 100% PPM – I had no doubt that Miss Juliana would jump ship and join the winning team.  Miss Levonne must be completely dumbfounded.  Miss Juliana's former UDP/PNA supporters must be in shock.  Don't fret many of you will look good in RED!!!!!  Got to love politics – Benedict Arnold (who is not to be confused with Miss Juliana abandoning ship).  LM _O    

    • Anonymous says:

      The people of Cayman Brac should feel so proud. They have continued to put Julie is, allowing her to live high on the hog, while they continue to suffer. They must be sooo happy!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Be fair! How else was she to get paid for shopping trips?

    • Anonymous says:

      No one was really surprised (least of all Miss Levonne). It's the only way for Ms. O'Connor-Connolly to protect her constituents and that is to join with the PPM. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, so to speak. You people need to stop being evil-minded and instead, pray for our country. We all should be supporting each other and not beating each other down. Ms. O'Connor-Connolly was just doing what she has always done: putting her islands first. Hats off to her, despite the criticism of some small-minded, hateful people. Get over yourselves, please! I think we should all be willing to work together and for the best of our nation. So please stop all the nasty comments and get your minds out of the gutter. Spewing hatred is not going to make things better for this country – only worse.

  19. Anonymous says:

    The best thing about all this is that we no longer have mad Mac singing. AM NOT STEPPIN DOWN, AM NOT STEPPIN ASIDE, IT WASN ME, dey jes want my seat, its a conspiracy, it was the PPM, it was Alden, it was the UK, it was the Auditor General, it was Governor Taylor, It was Ezzard, It was Richard, It was Arden, it was the PNA. It was the RCIPS.  I sincerely hope he will make some attempt for the remaining of his limited free time to behave himself like a decent human being. And words simply cannot express how good it is to not have that little stray puppy licking at his feet anymore. 

  20. kirsten Luke says:

    Will the Nassau groupers get permanent protection?  And what about the NCL???

    I honestly don't know these folks feelings for the environment.

    • Anonymous says:

      The Nassau groupers will do just fine now that we've managed to cut back on feeding the lionfish in West Bay.

  21. St Peter says:

    Is there a job opening in the new government for a brown-noser? and more specifically a Jordanian-brown-noser?

    • Anonymous says:

      He won't have time for a job. He'll be WAY too busy learning how to run a country.

  22. Anon says:

    Juliana joining ppm gives new meaning to the saying “beating around the Bush”.

  23. Anonymous says:

    i want my vote back!!! i demand my vote back!!! i did not DID NOT vote for PNA ex UDP Mac lover wannabes and now the PPM let them in??

    bad move you contradiction of a party: progressive MY ASS.

  24. semi pro says:

    Now I am very happy that the deal is done, and things are going to move, but I must say that what standards does the PPM to become a member, and what is the difference between PPM, UDP and PNA, becasue now I am seriously confused.  The PPM althought a bazillion times better than the UDP gov't has really lost some credibility by letting the puddle jumper actually join your club.  I would also ask JuJu, what is it that you look for in a party that makes you want to join, I am gonna start a new party and I thought you may want to make history by joining mine and be the first and only person to have joined and quit 4 different parties in one career.  What a joke! 

    • Anonymous says:

      "what is it that you look for in a party that makes you want to join."  Ahh, that would be a pay check!!

  25. sickntired says:

    Wow this is interesting the driver must really be worth it.  LOL

  26. Anonymous says:

    Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, JP, UDP, PNA, PPM

  27. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if Alden made Juile wash his feet in exchange for the bodyguard to become the first driver for the Madam Speaker ?

  28. Anonymous says:

    Alden you smart bugger you. I was curious what all this was about. If this was Chess you would be Hump the Queen. but since its not, you get to be Premier.

  29. Anonymous says:

    The Progressives Government is to be congratulated for their diplomacy.   This country will once again thrive now that we have the Progressives in charge.  

    • Anonymous says:

      "Thrive"?  Alden and Kurt put us in terrible, terrible debt.   He borrowed from our kids (by incurring substantial debt) to please his voters.    Did Frank Sound need an architecturally complex campus?   Why?  

      • Anonymous says:

        That's because so many of our people need to be educated.

      • Anonymous says:

        Glad to see at least one other person other than myself prepared to acknowledge what these guys got up to last time round. I am dismayed that  so many of their party loyalists remain in complete denial/appear to be suffering from some kind of self-induced amnesia in regards to the reckless spending that occurred. Mistakes are made, inevitably, but to continue to claim that they weren't is an act of utter dishonesty and a sign of  basic immaturity to say the least. I am a supporter of no party whatsoever, just someone not prepared to ignore historical reality because it isn't particulry convenient. Perhaps you are? In which case go ahead with the little "thumbs down" thing if it makes you feel better, but do please read some history about the mind-sets of those who followed others blindly.

        • SSM345 says:

          Didn't the PPM rack up a "debt" of US$81 million in 2009?

          And in 2013, during the UDP, the debt went to US$700 million.

          PPM = Schools and Govt Admin Building.

          UDP = ????

  30. Anonymous says:

    so glad that ezzard and arden have been frozen out…….. enjoy ur time in opposition with the likes of mac & whogene….hahahahah

    • Anonymous says:

      PPM choose to allow JOC to join them yet the refuse to work with Hazzard and Ardon speaks volumes about the battle of egos. Pledge loyalty to the leader or be annexed like in Game of Thrones

      • Anonymous says:

        Where in any of this story since elections took place do you see any evidence ofPPM not willing to work with Ezzard or Arden ya dumb donkey!!!

  31. Anonymous says:

    Finally! A Premier we can be proud of.

    • Yea right! says:

      I hear the Jordanian wants to join the winning Party, The Progressives!

    • Anonymous says:

      Good Lord!!! Really??? Give him the time to do what he did before and let's hear what song you'll be singing after that.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you referring to that beautiful school in Frank Sound that he gave us in spite of McKeeva?

    • Anonymous says:

      O'Conner-Conolly is now a PPM card carrying member to bring the PPM number to 10 which is a majority.

      Hurray,

       now you all can see why C4C is not a political party, no constitution and no card members.

      Now let's get to work, enough politicking, the campaign is over. The Country needs us all to help in anyway we can.

    • Anonymous says:

      BIt early aren't you… I hope so but time will tell.

    • Anonymous says:

      Careful now, you wouldn't want to piss mac off would you? I mean from May 22nd this is the longest he's behaved himself like a human in his entire life. A great writer once said "if there is one thing life is bound to do to you, it will humble you".

    • Anonymous says:

      This really is a PPM supported site! No matter what these people do, you PPM supporters just gobble it up with a smile!

      • Anonymous says:

        Of course it's a PPM site. Unlike UDP supporters, PPM supporters can read and write, and guess what, type too.

      • Anonymous says:

        Gimme PPM over UDP any day.  Wake up – yeah the PPM should have slowed their role 4 years ago, but at least they weren't serving the country up on a platter to every developer that was lining their personal pockets and calling it "in the best interest of the country."

        They are trying to work with others – which proves they don't have a dictator mentality like some gold digging, hand out slingling, I not doing for you 'less you do for me, 28 years too long, members of the LA.

      • Anonymous says:

        If you can't beat um you might as well join um.

    • Anonymous says:

      I thought that julie would have contacted her Cayman Brac supporters before joining PPM, as she said that before she could join in with the UDP again she would have to seek permission from them. Money is the root of all evil.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Lets allhope and pray that the ppm Government will see unemployment as a priority issue and do something about it ASAP

    • Enough says:

      How about instead of holding the Government responsible for unemployment, Caymanians get an education , lose the sense of entitlement, learn to read and write, brush up on their social skills, dress properly, get a haircut….then they may be suitable for employment. 

      And when they get a job, how about they show up with a smile, on time, Mon – Fri, do their job without an attitude and not call in sick every Tuesday after a public holiday.  I know….what a radical idea. Do the job that you get paid for!!

      How about we take responsibility for ourselves for a change? 

      As a business owner, who do you think that I want to hire?  

      A work permit holder, who will come to work on time, do their job to the best of their ability with a good attitude…..or the Caymanian who will stroll in when they feel like it, moan and complain that they're not the president of the company, call in sick every other Monday and actually become offended when you ask them to do their job.  

      I'll take the work permit holder every time.  

      Look around you, everyone screams unemployment…..but who are the Caymanians that are actually unemployed?  Is it the ones that got an education, are ambitious and willing to work, dress decently and can read and write?  Not at all.  

      It's the high school drop outs wearing their pants down to their knees, it's the girls with their skirts barely covering their backsides with 3 children all by different males, it's the Caymanians hanging out at gas stations and convenience stores all day, drinking and begging customers for money.  

      So before we go  blaming the government for unemployment….take a good long hard look at why Caymanians are unemployed.

       

       

       

  33. Anonymous says:

    Shows what a gift it is to give Rivers a job.

  34. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Mr. Mclaughlin! I'm already impressed with your leadership since last thursday morning.

    Your attempt to be inclusive and your negociation skills are far and above what we have witnessed during the past with Mac.

    Also thanks to Ms. Oconnor Connolly and Ms. Rivers!