Speaker breaks motion tie

| 28/02/2014

(CNS): Al Suckoo’s surprise last minute support, as well as backing from Anthony Eden and two opposition members and the absence of four Cabinet ministers, almost saw Arden McLean and Ezzard Miller win the day on the East End member’s private motion on 'one man, one vote' (OMOV) in single member constituencies (SMCs). With 6 ‘no’ votes from the government benches, 6 yes votes from both sides, the five absentees forced the speaker to use her casting vote in accordance with standing orders and the constitution. A long opponent of SMCs, however, it was no surprise that Juliana O’Connor-Connolly defeated the motion with a 'no' vote but the debate stirred up passions and revelations as well as some uncomfortable moments for the premier long before it came down to the wire.

During his closing remarks on what had been a long debate, in which some members of government had clearly been troubled over the motion, Arden McLean took  aim at his former party colleague, Premier Alden McLaughlin, and said he had never supported single member constituencies and never would. He said he had remained silent for too long but then pointed the finger at the PPM leader as the stumbling block to the more equitable voting system. 

In an impassioned response to the two-day debate on his motion, the member for East End said that the premier, when he was leader of the opposition, had tried to cut a deal with him over the plan for a referendum on the issue of 'one man, one vote' and single member constituencies. He revealed that McLaughlin had offered to support the referendum plans only if McLean in turn supported the three additional members.

However, the East End member had consistently opposed the growth of parliament because he said the country could not afford it and refused the deal So he went his own way with Miller, the independent member for North Side, who was equally as committed to OMOV and SMCs

McLean said the disagreement over SMCs was the straw which broke the camel’s back form him in terms of his eventual departure from the Progressives. He warned the new members on the government benches that their leader was never going to put SMCs in place and this was their chance to see it happen, and if they did not take the chance, the people would remember.

Al Suckoo, who had been a staunch advocate and a key player in the 2012 OMOV campaign, was in the end the only member who took heed. His own contribution to the debate on Thursday had seen him commit to SMCs and although he had noted that there may be some questions still to be asked about the future voting system, the young Bodden Town representative had not stated in the debate whether he would or would not be backing the motion.

In the end, Suckoo rose above party politics and voted with his conscience rather than the party line, a brave move for the novice backbencher but one likely to pay off in the future. His senior Bodden Town parliamentary colleague, Anthony Eden, also stuck to his guns and, as promised, voted in favour of the motion.

However, it was the mysterious absence of four Cabinet members – Tara Rivers,Wayne Panton, Marco Archer and Osbourne Bodden – which was even more significant. It was clear during the debate yesterday that Archer and Panton were finding the situation uncomfortable. However, Archer later told CNS that he was attending a reporting session at his daughter's primary school, which was why he missed the vote.

Rivers made just a short contribution and Bodden made sure he wasn’t involved in the debate at all, as it is understood he went on personal leave. Given that critical front bench absence, the support from both Bernie Bush and Captain Eugene Ebanks on the opposition benches, as well McLean and the seconder of the motion, Ezzard Miller, very nearly carried the day.

Having cleared his team to vote their conscience, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush was also absent from the chamber at the time of the vote. Bush has always opposed to SMCs but it was clear he saw the political capital in not adding to the 'no' votes.

During his closing remarks McLean reached fever pitch in his condemnation of the premier, not least in reference to the premier’s comments about demographics. Urging everyone to stop the racial divisions among Caymanians, he pointed out that the only people who can vote are Caymanian. He said it did not matter if they were white, green yellow or black, it was Caymanians in total that politicians had to worry about, not any demographics, as he turned to the speaker and asked her to put his motion to the vote.

Vote in the CNS online poll:

Were the PPM wrong to u-turn on 'one man, one vote' in single member constituencies?

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Politics

About the Author ()

Comments (117)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    I am honestly so fed up with these so called politicians that it is not funny.  How dare Marco Archer turn away from the job he is being paid to while he attend to his personal business. It is admirable that he attended his child's reporting session but it is horrible that he stole time from the job he is being paid to do in order to attend! In the private sector people get written-up for that!

  2. Anonymous says:

    CNS:  Why are they allowed to miss ANY votes?  Isn't this their job??!!  This is what they get paid for so why is not mandatory all are in attendance?

    • Anonymous says:

      It is wearisome reading the posts of people who don't have a clue about the way the system works. The least of all issues here is about the MLAs being paid. Smh.

    • Teacher conference more important!? says:

      Marco said on Radio Cayman he had an excuse from his kids teacher for a student conference meeting!?!  If I told my boss I could not be in an important meeting because I had a teacher conference I would be fired!!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Al, here is a quote for you " four suggestions for living this life 

    show up

    pay attention

    pick and speak your words with truth

    and do not be attached to the outcome

     

    We love you and are very proud of you you were born for such a time as this

     

     

  4. By Any Means Necessary says:

    And where was Tara? Counting her passports?

  5. Anonymous says:

    Based on what was said in the LA, it seems that all persons, except Mac, supports the concept of voter equality. Some representatives disagreed with the motion as proposed and so voted no. Now we shall see what concept is proposed. Every option has negatives & positives. Lets not jump into the first option proposed without some thought for really what it would bring. Time to discuss, educate ourselves, then decide. We must ensure that local & national views are considered in or small counry. We cannot afford to have representative just fcused on only one.

    • Anonymous says:

      Rush? The OMOV referendum was in July of 2012!  There was 6 months of discussion and debate prior to that, and we have had 20 month's do discuss and ponder to this point.  These superheros that we call MLA's have had enough time to ponder, formulate and discuss.  Which of them is better equipt to recommend a electoral system than the people in the comissions previously?  Can anyone guarentee me that whatever concept these guys come up with will work better…..ummmmm, NO they cannot!  So why would any MLA delay what the people of Cayman stood up and said YES to in an overwelmeing manner in July of 2012!  Politcal expediency that is why!  Any delay in implementing OMOV as proposed and mandated by the people of Cayman in 2012 is simply an bastardization to allow better opportunity for political advantage for the MLA's themselves, FULL STOP!

  6. Anonymous says:

    Where can I get some carpet like that? It would look good in my den.

    • Anonymous says:

      Stop the ignorance, leave people's personal looks and the way they dress and talk  out of this. We have more important issues to sort out.

    • Missing vote Mr MLA? says:

      Not a priority!! Marco Archer just went on Radio Cayman and TOLD us the public, his kids teacher conference at 3;30PM-4PM. was more important than his vote for the country!!

      • noname says:

        it IS actually. Not sure why decisions can be madewith 1 third of the representatives not even present. Also not sure why they couldnt give him a HALF HOUR to deal with his childs conference and then be a part of the vote. Guess we're in too much of a rush fixing the country to do the things that will actually fix the country. go figure.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Where the heck was everyone during such an important vote?  Where was Mac?

  8. Anonymous says:

    We, the people need to call for early elections. The bunch (save maybe 2 or 3) we have in there now are a waste of time. We simply can NOT endure another 36+ months of this hypocrisy and self serving stooges.

  9. Anonymous says:

    CNS,perhaps you should amend your article and point out that the established protocol has been not to use the Speakers casting vote to change  a law ,but instead to keep  it the way it is at present. This is called maintaining the "status quo". Since the Speaker can be someone who has not been elected by the people that seems to be the correct approach.

  10. Anonymous says:

    CNS can you tell us exactly how many major votes have taken place since this new government has been elected and of those major votes how many did Tara Rivers exactly vote in?  I would like to know my vote is being put to good use as much as the money we are paying her is most likely being put to good use. 

  11. Anonymous says:

    Stop it Ezzard, Just stop It!  You know that you, Arden and Suckoo are only pushing this now so you can figure out how to start campaigning for the next election.  You three just want to know who your constituents will be.

    News Flash . We are smarter than you think we are.  

    News Flash.  We elected you to fix the cost of living and rising crime.

    News Flash.  You better start dealing with OUR issues and not worry about YOUR next election.

    I'm for SMC and from what I can read in the paper about what the ppm government said, they are too, and they are researching how to make it as equal as possible given the make up of Cayman. But, please, worry about this in 2 years when it matters, not now.  

    Right now this only matters to politicians who care more about themselves than the people that voted for them. Like Ezzard, Arden and Suckoo.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      That is the most ignorant bunch of crap I have read in a LONG time, seriously read what you just read!  Arden and Ezzard, where in the hell do you think they are going to run if they decide to run in the next election?  Westbay, Bodden Town, George Town?  Hmmmmm let me guess, I will put a $1,000 on Arden running in East End, and $10,000 on Ezzard running in North Side.  As for Al, he can win anywhere in Bodden Town, as he and Tony have solidified themselves ad "honorable".  I would also bet $100,000 you are a M.A. nutthugger. Laughalbe, your entire post is pure comedy, thanks for the giggle.

      • Anonymous says:

        I understood what he is saying, sorry you didn't get it.  He's pointing out that it doesn't make sense to have EE and NS as separate districts.  They are too small.  So Ezzard and Arden are anxious to rush through a decision that locks down that they will each have a district.

        If the people have the time to study this, the fair thing to do will be to put them together as one district so Ezzard and Arden will be competing for the same seat!

    • Anonymous says:

      Ezzard, Arden and Suckoo keep the pressure on, you are educating your  people! Regardless of it being a winning ticket for your next election.

  12. Anonymous says:

    So sick of this topic.  If these guys put as much effort into real issues (crime, dump etc.) as they do protecting their own political futures, the entire country would be better off.  Start focusing on the real world instead of politics.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Al needs a rudder!  He told me he was in favor of adding a few national candidates to SMCs and then he votes against it???  Why did he flip flop?

    CNS – Can you print his comments made in the LA?  I'd like to figure out when he did the flip flop?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah, Suckoo's just a babe in the woods.  Ezzard and Arden will chew him up and spit him out.

    • Votes against What? says:

      He said he would support the creation of 15 SMC's in order to keep the size of them at a realistic number of voters. He then went on to say he still supported OMOV but that he thought the Premiers compromise was acceptable. I dont call that a flip flop

    • Anonymous says:

      Listen to it on Radio Cayman.

      The Hansards come out a few weeks/months after the debate. Its not fast but its accurate. Otherwise CNS or other print media would have to try and transcribe verbatim either in the House, from the Radio or CIGTV. Probably not an economic use of their time.

    • Anonymous says:

      Guilt?  Shame?  Fear?  Political self-interest?  A mixture of these?

  14. Anonymous says:

    A voter demanded referendum with a very specific mandate for single member constituencies is required.

  15. Coconutz says:

    That's what you get for voting in career politicians a.k.a. weasels, the like of  Big Mac, Little Mac, Juliana, Eugene, and the latest, "No Show Tara", etc.  The only honest ones among them, Ezzard, Arden, Al and Anthony are outnumbered by a bunch of jackals and hyenas.  Granted they're far from perfect, but at least they tend to stick to their word. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Of course you conveniently forget “no show” Marco and Wayne? Typical…

    • Anonymous says:

      Funny that you seperate the 'career' politicians from the others not by how long they've been in (btoh sides had veteran and new MLAs) but by whetehr they agree with you or not.

  16. WillYaListen! says:

    Wouldn't the headline be more appropriate as 

     

    Politicians Break Word (or Wind)

  17. Anonymous says:

    You go against your people request will be delt with in the next election & for those cowards who wasn’t man or woman enough to show up & defend the people request will also be delt with in the next election! Gt voter

    • Anonymous says:

      Do you know that the "yes" and "Nos" are collectively/premeditated? Each and every one  knows from the outcome if they are "for" or "against" a particular motion or Law. They do the Maths and figure who will be Present or Absent. Therefore, I do not see any surprises!!!  

    • Anonymous says:

      Why wait until then? They can go as quick as they came.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Nothing more than Ezzard showmanship … sorry to see Suckoo sucked into Ezzard's games.

    Stop messing around Ezzard, you are wasting our time.  We need all you guys we elected focused on creating jobs and lowering the cost to live here.  I have a family to feed!

    • Anonymou says:

      Ezzard just wants to break the power of the political parties so he can be premier

  19. Anonymous says:

    Was Tara "ill" again?

    • Anonymous says:

      Why are no questions asked of the other 3 – Marco, Wayne and Ozzie? Unbelievable bias!

      • Anonymous says:

        Perhaps because they don't have Labour in their portfolio?  And also because they are not the most disliked politiician in the LA.

  20. David Shibli says:

    People are beginning to wake up to the shenanigans of these slimeball politicians. Why is it that before elections, pretty much all of these windbags promise us a breath of fresh air from the incumbents and all we get is the same old halitosis? Folks please stop and think. This entire system of "democracy" is flawed. It is flawed in the US, the UK and it is damned well flawed in Cayman. When you vote, you are actually voting for a system that will never represent the true view of the majority. These politicians lie through their teeth, get elected and then spend the next 4 years feathering their own nests and putting things off whilst blaming the prior administration for their ineffectiveness. The whole system needs an overhaul before it's too late. The will of the majority needs to prevail, not the will of a few. We have to change the system or we are doomed. Western democracy is a lieand is not real democracy. True democracy engages the people continually. What is wrong with voter cards being used as electronic passports to cast votes on current issues? For example, if a Bodden Town MLA wants to vote a certain way and the consensus of Bodden Town is the other way, then that politician should be removed by due process because he/she no longer represents the majority. We have created this ugly word called referendum and shut the country down for a day. Technology can make a public vote happen in real time with no national disruption. Cayman should be thriving and it is not. The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of those who have been at the helm of the ship and those who put them there…..that would be us. We need CHANGE! Can anyone else see the problem with the flavour of democracy that has seasoned our politics over the years, or are you all happy being fed bullshit day after day? If we the people don't start speaking up, who the hell will? And this is what you bequeath to your children? We don't deserve children if all we do is promote a system that enslaves them and gives them no hope of living free. Living free is our birthright. How cheaply we have sold it?  Alden, I am SMDH. Nobody in the history of Caymanian politics has disappointed me more than you. I was so hopeful when you were elected. You seriously need to take a look in the mirror and re-evaluate where you stand and what you stand for. Somebody had to say it and it might as well be me. Dammit, if you are struggling, just say so. We'll come to work with you a few days and help you out. Let's pass a few laws that actually represent the people and do them some good.  

    • Anonymous says:

      09:08, you are so right .  Alden is not even a bad nights rest.  He should be ashamed of himself, get off of whatever is spinning his brain and focus on the things that he so clearly stated during the campaign that he stood for.  He is a let down to the ppm and any of the others who are towing ihis line.

      When can we start a movement to protest the ignorance and arrogance of this idiot?

      • The Pastafarian says:

        Yes, you and 09:08 are both right.  Politics is a dirty business.  Do you know why democracies never last more than a century or two?  It's because more and more people vote for the one who promises them the most, no matter what is best for the country. They become addicted to those "freebies".  Believe me, they are not free! Why do politicians want to be in office?…. Because they want the power and riches that are there for them!  Do you know of any politician who donates his salary to his country?  I don't.  Do you know of any politician who has somehow managed to gather large sums of money by wheeling and dealing while in office?  I do.

      • Anonymous says:

        It's actually funny that the Caymanian people fall for the same crap every election. They are so easily manipulated. Hey get this if you elect me I promise to pave everyones home with Gold, get rid of all the Expats and give everyone a high paying job with 30 days. Oh and I also promise to make all the garbage in Mount Trashmore disappear for free, reopen West Bay Road and take all Darts money and distrubute it amongst the people….Mr Liar for Premier 2017

    • Anonymous says:
      The Regressives are now a party of yes men for Aldiin who not interested in the people just power.  Disgraceful attitude by the premier who has lost the plot and losing support from party mlas and supporters
       
       
    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you David!!!!! Yes! Stated perfectly.  I'm not surprised by Alden though, I was waiting for this to come. Just scroll back to when the Constitution was being amended and revisit what he was trying to pull then. Wasn't it he who wanted to make changes to allow 1st generation Caymanians to run for legislature? Ask Mr. Tony Eden, he knows because again he was staunchly against it!  

    • sombodi hep mi plees says:

      Let me say thank you Mr. Shibli!  What you just said is so truthful and needed to be said. We "our Island" is going to hell in a hand basket quite rapidly, and if we don't stop these liars who continue to feed us crap, it wont be long before our way of life as we once knew it, will not have a chance in hell of being revived.

      I think we should start by cutting their salaries and pay them all $5.00 per hour! Seriously tho folks. Just stop and think about the leadership we have had in the last  16 years. There has been so much corruption it is almost unfathomable. They lie, steal, bribe their way through each term and then they are thrown out , then the next party gets in and screws us again.

      They talk about morals and ethics, but in the evenings you see them out at the bars "some are like brothels"  thats right, unofficial tho they are! Prostitution "is" here in Cayman, but nobody wants to admit it. They Are Here! I was told, they bring them in from overseas! I personally have been approached by them, while having a drink at the one of our finest hotels. I'm not making a judgement here, what I'm trying to do, is to tell our politicians that people know about these things, and when they hear nothing forthcoming from our leaders about them, it says that these kind of activities are being condoned.

      Corruption is alive and well in The Cayman Islands! We definitely need to get rid of these party systems. They have ruining our beautiful Island. Cayman is living proof that power corrupts and, absolute power corrupts absolutely!

       

       

       

      • David Shibli says:

        Dear Friend,Thank you for your support. I know that you are frustrated with our so-called leaders and quite rightly so. They should be ashamed of themselves if only for the lies they have told and the empty promises they have given. Anyway, I put my name to my comment to encourage you all that I for one am not afraid of the corruption in our government and neither should you or any other Caymanian be afraid of telling it like it is. It may cost me in many ways, but as I said, someone has to say something and it might as well be me. People, there is nothing to be afraid of. They are only fallible human being just like you and me. We have all failed and no one is perfect. What we can do is work together to make our piece of the planet a better place. 

  21. Anonymous says:

    The PPM House of cards is falling down.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Self-serving, spineless and opportunistic career politicians and cowards.  Master manipulators to attract votes, and master betrayers of their people once in power.  At least with Mac, you know where he stands on certain issues.  Case in point, recent PPM stance on campaign promies on minimum wage and now, OMOV and SMC as originally recommended.   Can we have a referendum to vote their sorry asses out for failing to fulfil their obligations?   Alden is a wolf in sheep clothing, that much we could see after he flip-flopped on the rollover policy after agreeing it was not working, only to extend its term and changing requirements to make it virtually impossible for any, other than the super rich elite class or the top echelons of professionals,  to apply for residency.   UN human rights commission anyone, for the constant, blatant disregard of both local and expat basic human rights? 

    • Anonymous says:

      I certainly AGREE with Alden on strengthening the requirements for residency. Thank God he did us indigenous Caymanians proud on this one. He was sensible enough to know that Cayman can not continue to grant residency to people who can not sustain themselves, who shortly after receiving it, turn to social services and live off of tax payers. We simply can not afford to take on that kind of additional responsibility. If they can not afford to sustain themselves in this country, they should return to their country of domicile. 

      • Anonymous says:

        14 :30  Poo you. Where have you been living?Aden could have made all the difference ith the new Immigration Law. However We hear that he shoud say "Dami you do and am if you dont". We only had one anwith balls standing up for us and tha was poor Mr Billy God knows that he tried. That law is the complete ruination of the Cayman Islands. o we dont unerstand your ostat all.

  23. The Reality Is says:

    "Every politician has a promising career. Unfortunately, most of them do not keep those promises." ~ Jarod Kintz

    Thank you for keeping yours, Al. Your political career, if you so choose to continue after the term, and can withstand the slime, looks very promising indeed. 

     

     

     

  24. Anonymous says:

    Tara has a habit of being absent for important votes.  She seems to think we are stupid.

    • Anon says:

      I try not to even think of Tara as being one our "leaders". She is absolutely useless. And, I don't know why ANYONE is surprised by Alden. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Once again the attempt here is to make Tara the scapegoat for everything this Government does or doesn’t do. Wake up Cayman, and stop the double standards! At least give her a chance to answer; and at least ask the same question of the other 3 that missed the vote as well.

    • Anonymous says:

      Tara has a habit of being absent from the LA Meetings too much.  What the heck is she doing?  Counting her passports?  Or is she afraid to stand up to the Caymanians who elected her?  Come next election I say we send Tara to another country to live there.  We do not need her in politics in Cayman Islands.

      • And Another Ting says:

        Well she has the passports wiki travel, no problem. And another Ting.

  25. Anon says:

    Political parties in cayman win by convincing their constituents to vote straight.  Would ppm be in power if each voter voted once?  Would we have 4 ppm candidates win in bt? Would we have had 4 ppm win in gt? Would we have had all udp but Tara win in wb?  Would Alden be premier? No party is interested in OMOV no matter what we're being told.  This should not be a surprise to anyone.  If ppm believed in OMOV then why did they platform on straight vote?  

    The politicians are taking us for fools because we are fools.  Next election cast just one vote for the best candidate and force OMOV on these parties whether they like it or not.

    • West Bay Voter says:

      Absolutely! We can, by las, cast only one vote. We should ALL do that in the next election and let the chips fall where they may. We'll see a different outcome. Might not be any better than what we have now but  I doubt it would be any worse. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, vote once in a multi-vote election. As a show of opposition to the the parties. The parties will thank you. 

  26. Anonymous says:

    Looks like a Referendum is needed once more so that Alden clearly understands what he has done is not what the people want.  Come on Billy Adam, crank out that Referendum machine again!

  27. NJ2Cay says:

    Just as I predicted a year ago the people now hate the PPM as much as they hated the UDP,Thats just Cayman Party Politricks

  28. pmilburn says:

    What the hell?Five no shows for such an important vote.You all (with a couple of exceptions) need to get your heads out of the sand and do what the hell we are paying you for.The Govt needs to really do better than this but after seeing 12 elections since I have been here nothing surprises me any more and this will go down as "par for the course"What a bunch of whoosies.

    • Anonymous says:

      Think like a business. Voters employed them. If they ain't going to work for you, then sack them.

    • Anonymous says:

      The problem here is that the masses do not understand the significance of the no-show and think the issue is about being paid to vote. Not turning up to vote is the only implied protest one can do where you are bound by collective responsibility. All Ministers are bound by collective responsibility. That is not a a Cayman phenomenon. It happens to the UK as well as recently as last August.  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-23896033

  29. Anonymous says:

    Didn't show up to vote!!! Should take away a month salary from them and give it to charity.

     

  30. Anonymous says:

    Al Suckoo,

     

    Keep it up, yes the road may be rough to drive on, yes you may be pushed aside by the party, but remember, in aproximately 3 years, WE will be the important ones again, and yes WE will remember.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Good for you Al , you are a true Statesman!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Al can't seem to make a decision.  If he was really committed he would have been man enough to say it in his contribution like Mr. Eden did.  

      Guess it's whoever he heard last, and Arden has figured out how to play him… better wise up Al.

      • Well says:

        I plainly heard him say that he still supported OMOV and that he couild support the Premiers version put forward but in the end he voted YES! I respect that he stuck to his promise and that he is willing to work with his government to improve it. Why in the world is that such a bad thing? Maybe you are only trying to cause mischief by making inaccurate comments.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Suckoo for having courage to keep your word. Now time to fight for minimum wage.

    • Anonymous says:

      no time to fight for min. wage ? what is the problem ?  say 5 bucks ! minumim ! that is is it

      DONE !!!

      wake up !

  33. Anonymous says:

    We will never be able to trust the word of the PPM again.  Very sad day.

  34. Anonymous says:

    PPM in crisis and the leader looking lame 

  35. Anonymous says:

    Five No shows.  That means that 28% of our elected officials do not have the balls to show up and vote their conscience.  This was a major campaign issue.  We know that they copped out.  It is just this kind of political power play that is whywe need OMOV.  We need our elected officials to be answerable to us the people not the party.

    Ladies and Gentleman.  These are the spineless politicians that pulled  the wool over our eyes by promising us one thing in order to get elected, and then not having the morals to deliver for fear that it would cost them their "power".

    • Anonymous says:

      I call Politicians who do not show up to either speak or vote on our behalf "SPINELESS". Thats becoming a habit of our Tara now. At least we cant say that Mack was afraid of anyone. He did what he thought was right. That was also the style of JU JU.

      • Anonymous says:

        Ah bwoy, of all the “no shows” Tara is the only one that is targeted for criticism. Somebody’s master plan of placing all criticism of this government on her shoulders is unfolding before our eyes. Say what you want about Tara, but after listen to her stand ALONE (even the the entire Government voted no to his minimum wage motion) and tackle Ezzard in the house, she is not spineless!

      • Anonymous says:

        You did notice that in this particular instance he was also one of the no-shows, along with Tara?

    • Anonymous says:

      caymankind……..

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Get OMOV and you won't see many of the half ass faces elected.  Study what it means to have OMOV and the face of Cayman Islands will change forever.

      The West. Bay posses won't be around trust me.

      • Anonymous says:

        Parties thrive in OMOV. "Vote Straight" is the same slogan whether you are campaigning for everyone in WB to vote 4 straight or vote straight once for whichever of the four is on their sub-district ballot.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Looks like the Regressives got real problems but da wha you get for lying to the voters

  37. Anonymous says:

    Thank you Arden this Premier Alden McLaugjlin is a snake in the grass and behaves like McKeeva Bush more everyday keep exposing his back door dealings. He says one thing in public but does another in private to benefit his quest for absolute power. He cannot hide any longer the grass getting cut.

    • Anonymous says:

      Alden words are too sweet, he needs to stop making his words so tasty and get his ass out and do the job that he was elected to do.  Start paving the way for Caymanians and stop cherry picking for  expats.  We are sick and tired of government after government, making it easier for permit holders, status-holders, to always get ahead and the indigenous local is left behind.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Tara Rivers, Wayne Panton, Marco Archer and Osbourne Bodden  Be on notice that your absence is the same as a NO vote.

    I have no officially lost confidence in all of you.

    This is a sad sad day for Cayman and a death knell for the PPM.  We had high hopes for you and you let us down.

    • Anonymous says:

      Idiot, their absence was a yes vote. Collective responsibility means they have to vote no if they were in the chamber. By not being there, they could not vote and therefore the motion had a chance.

      • Anonymous says:

        Al stayed in chambers and voted for the bill.  His vote counted.  Anthony stayed in chambers and voted for the bill.  His vote counted.  The others could have do the same (right) thing.  If they had the bill would have passed as the people were promised.  Because they did not the bill failed.  They were more afraid of the party than the people and that is not a good thing.

        That is why I said that their absence was the same as a no vote.  If they had the balls to vote their conscience it would have passed.  We Know that Anthony and Al have a conscience.  I claim the No Shows don't.

        • Anonymous says:

          Al voted so a decision would be made now so he'll know how to start campaigning.  He shouldn't be wasting time on this with Ezzard now.  

          He should be caring about me, and the rest of us in BT that voted for him to fix the economy and the dump.

          If keeps worrying only about himself, he'll have a lot of time to do that after the next election because he won't be my MLA.

        • Anonymous says:

          Cabinet has collective responsibility. Arguably the back bench has less. You could argue that as this wasn't a Government motion they didn't have collective responsibility but it would be a hard argument. Once the Government (Cabinet) start splitting their vote it calls in to question the validity of the Government. Unless we admit/accept that it is coalation government. Which is not the position that the PPM currently holds on paper.

        • Anonymous says:

          No, simpleton. Neither Al nor Anthony is a member of  cabinet and are therefore not bound by collective responsibility. 

      • Anonymous says:

        The audacity to call some one an idiot while using this apologist pretzel logic is astounding.  Let me explain something to you. If Tara, Wayne, Marco and Ozzie, all of whom are Cabinet members, would have really wanted to vote yes on the motion, they would have formed the majority of Cabinet, hence collective responsibility would dictated they should have been present and voted yes. Unless you're trying to suggest that Alden is a dictator of Cabinet and everyone else is completely spineless and won't stand up to him even when they outnumber him, then yours is a weak argument that shows you to be nothing more than an apologist PPM supporter who has consumed way too much PPM Kool Aid.

  39. Anonymous says:

    Which 5 members were absent?

    • Anonymous says:

      really ? 5 members not there ? i hope they have a note from their paretns or a doctor !

    • Anonymous says:
       
       
  40. Anonymous says:

     

     

    WINSTON , ROY? HELLO ARE YOU THERE?

     

    NOT LISTENING NOW? HOPE YOU TWO ARE NOT PLANING ON A 2ND TERM,

    • Anonymous says:

      Why? Did C$C ever support OMOV? Tara didn't down in WB.

    • Anonymous says:

      Say that again 16:44.  They got my vote one and only one time. Never again would I vote for either of them. A total waste and disappointment.

  41. Fred the Piemaker says:

    CNS – once you have finished exercising any pesonal prejudices, as impartial journalists you may care to reflect on the traditional practice that when a Chair or Speaker is required to vote in respect of a tie break, they do so in support of the staus quo rather than their personal beliefs.  If that equates to their own views, so be it, but its not really appropriate to suggest – absent some specific comment from the Speaker – that the vote was motivated by personal views (uness of course the vote is contrary to the traditional practice).  

  42. Anonymous says:

    CABINET MEMEBERS MISSSING AGAIN???

  43. Anonymous says:

    …as for Julie!!  no surprise there…she bends with the wind…no spine and just wants to keep getting elected.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not quite, after she gets elected she REALLY wants to travel on Caymans ticket and GO SHOPPING!

      This is an appalling use of the speakers casting vote, and truly shameful for those that were elected to support democracy, and either stayed away or voted against it. 

      • Anonymous says:

        To:Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/03/2014 – 03:52.                              FYI the established practice (in Standing Orders  I believe)is for the Speakers casting vote be used to maintain the "staus quo"or no change in status. In other words it is used to make changes but rather to keep laws etc,in their present state.The intent is for changes to be decided by the Mlas voting on the floor and not the Speaker,who could possibly be someone who is not  an elected member.

    • Anonymous says:

      Guess she still sitting on the hot mix paver.

  44. anonymous says:

    I just cannot beleive that these folks are more interested in getting reelected than to provide proper DEMOCRACY here…..just unbeleivable!!! 

    All I can say is never trust a PPMer or any politician again….after all this was a campaign promise. You gave them your vote now they stab you in the back. 

    • Anonymous says:

      told you so !!

      all promises and nothing else !   disgrace !

    • Gut Check says:

      They cannot force nor mandate the vote on the issue — they can only bring it to the table.   Would you want a government that made proclaimations without consensus?  

    • Anonymous says:

      They certainly became unpopular in a hurry.

  45. Anonymous says:

    Al and Eden proud of you boys- very well done. Will remeber this move of yours and vote you in in 2017. Cannot say the same for Marco, Wayne, Joey etc – Alden puppets. Speak up or you are finished politically

  46. Whodatis says:

    'Atta boy, Al!!

    I had every faith you would come through when it matters.

    Stand tall and proud before the bathroom mirror as you brush your teeth tonight bro!

    Wish you a peaceful night's sleep as well.

    Others won't be so lucky.