New election commission
(CNS): The premier has announced his government’s intention to request a new Boundary Commission to assess the current political landscape ahead of the next election, with the view of introducing 'one man, one vote' in single member constituencies. In what is likely to be a welcome U-turn, Alden McLaughlin has promised that the necessary work and legislative changes will all be done within the year and be in place before May 2017. He said it would be down to the Boundary Commission on the exact details of the new constituencies based on both historical boundaries as well as equal numbers, and there will be no at large candidates.
Check back to CNS for full details later.
Category: Politics
They know that they are done with. The PPM is finished and i know this as i was a big supporter but i am done with them. They are all liars. Next election vote all new people because once they get two terms we have to pay pension for them for life. Put them out to pasture and make all the new ones 1 hit wonders!! They only changed their minds after they consulted with their Barbadian Consultants whom they use to help them win…….who wants a government in power that seeks expat advice over their Constituents. Vote them ALL out on May 2017.
See how fast Arden and Ezzard go at each others throats when they have to fight for the same seat. What Irony that would be…
That is the only reason that it is being suggested that NS and EE should form one district – to put them at each others throats. Politricks.
two words CREDIT CARDS
I do not see this as any U-turn. What the Premier said before, as you reported, was that without concensus he did not see progress being made on this issue. In other words, unlike our previous Premier, he was not going to insist and push through a particular position. Now it appears that further discussion has resulted in concensus and they are moving forward. Only time will tell if this coming change will be the best option.
Note that it will be up to us the voters to ensure we elect worthwhile, honest candidates of high integrity.
We are stupid, you know.
If you don't then you have not been following the news. It is ridiculous to say that your party does not have consensus when this was a manifesto promise that you campaigned on. It was very clear: vote for us and we will introduce OMOV single member constituencies. Does the manifesto not reflect the position of the party as a whole and if not what the hell use is it? The consensus should have been obtained before publishing a manifesto, otherwise it is outright deception.
15:24 Apparently it is you who have not kept up with the news.FYI the ruling alliance is made up of 9 members who ran under the PPM banner,1 under the PNA banner ,and 3 independents.That means that 4 members of the ruling group were not party to the PPM manifesto.Since the manifesto was published before the general election ,it would have been impossible to get consensus,as there was no way of knowing who would be forming the Government.
The C4C issued a statement declaring they were not the problem after Alden tried to throw them under the bus. Go back to your Kool Aid.
But I thought Mac said that those who did not vote 'won' the referendum…
Just another PPM Sham to try and distract the voters about the dire situation this islands is in how's that going to help us another minister to spend more money and abuse his credit card and to slurp at the public trough. The fact is this sham government have no answers or soulutions to our problems but to create illusions and distractions and to blame others for our problems ohh! i forgot to install their cronies and lodge buddies in positions and cover up corruption for them while they direct financial interest and business into the hands of the annointed few and party backers and loyalist wow!
right on time, to distract from credit-card-gate.
Don't forget TrashGate
This is how democracy should work, no forcing issues, get a consensus.
Its good to have Premier and Government that will get this done. Bravo Premier & your Progeressive Government. this is a historic day.
Alden never wanted OMOV and SMCs so watch him very closely on this one. Lets make sure he isn't up to any tricks here and if he tries any we the people must be prepared to remove him from office early by whatever means necessary !!!
Just another PPM ploy they have just awaken to find out just how unpopular they have become with the electorate and have now become alarmed. So alarmrd they are throwing us yet another imaginary political bone unfortunately it wont pay those high utillity bills or feed us but help them set up yet another Fool Fool boundary "CO" mission filled with PPM cronies and lodge bro's What a sickening and desperate bunch of vagabonds running this place.
You can fool some of the people all of the time and those are the ones you want to concentrate on eh Alden?
wasn't OMOV this voted down in a referendum ? What about the will of the people?
By the rules Mac pulled out of his @$$. yes, but the count was about two thirds in favor.
Uh Actually those rules were pulled out of the constitution..
If for no other reason, it should be done just to piss Mac off.
At least we have a Premier that listens and is not above adhereing to the views of the majority. This is democracy at work.
I am so happy that at last we will have OMOV and single memeber constituencies.
Well done PPM. This has always been the Party to bring critical constitutional reforms.
Now let's move on and get the country working.
To 14:05. East End and Northside, both have over 600 registered voters. They are both unique districts and you need to be able to understand how the people think. One politician would not work, you need to live there to understand the dynamics of each district.
And both donkeys get paid 140k pa… plus pensions for life!!! Make it one mla for that area!!!!
Ordinary MLAs do not that paid $140K. That is nonsense. In any event each of them is worth 10 of Capt. Eugene and some others.
Are tou seriously suggesting that someone from another district is incapable of listening. Also perhaps it has escaped you but this island is extremely small!
LOL, broke under pressure
That's how a democracy is supposed to work – the leaders listen to the people.
When you got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.
And showed his true colors in the process. Nasty.
Make North Side & East End into 1 district, it is wrong to have such small voting districts where 200-300 votes places a person in the LA.
Yes, yes, yes!
You leave EE and NS alone. The most corrupt politicians have come from the larger districts.
Why does EE and NS deserve more representation than proportionate to the population? At least one mistake sent from the East/North-East would be better than two mistakes.
PS: At the next election, try to avoid lunatics or people who use government credit cards to buy presents for the wife.
Because each of them is a district community in its own right. Why are you so focussed on EE and NS? Cayman Brac-Little Cayman has two MLAs but has only 1000 electors. Obviously you have a personal grudge.
For the next election we will keep electing honest men who put the country first and are very effective MLAs.
If East End is so great why doesn't Arden even live in East End?
At least the MLAs shoud live n their districts that is basic common sense.
Please don't tell me it is too far to commute to George Town.
That is a matter for the people who elect them to decide whether they can properly represent them. Obviously EEers disagree with you. It has never been a problem for Kurt or Mike Adams so why would it be a problem for Arden?
WHAT A LOAD OF POLITICAL POSTURING
There is currently tabled at the LA a motion by Arden McLean on this same very subject. Why not just accept his motion and move on. The PREMIER had every opportunity to do what he has just done months ago and went over board to cause a prior motion to fail. Shame on you Alden you just don’t want Arden and Ezzard to use your failure to implement what you and your entire party campaigned on.
Ps Arden please continue with your motion because your motion is clear and I believe good old PPM Alden may be out to trick us.
Ever thought that the two motions might be different?
A step in the right direction.
This can be done quickly by reappointing the previous Commission to simply revisit their SMC recommended boundaries from their previous report(s) in light of crrent census numbers. There probably won't need to be more than a road or two's movement of the lines.
And no silly at large seats or, worse, unelected senates.
They want to appoiint a commission that will say it will not work. That way they will have an excuse to get out of it.
Well done Al Suckoo, Johan Moxam, Kenneth Bryan and the rest of the OMOV proponent and more importantly all the people island world who voted in favour of OMO before it was hijacked by the former premier. Let us also remember our dear departed Ms. Consuelo. Did'nt the Bounday Commission already did this work? I suppose the Premier is still trying to squirm out of his Campaign Manifesto promise!! He must be kicking himself!!
Kenneth?
please. smh
Finally, justice!
In Cayman? NEVER!
another commission, another rouse… welcome to the circus.
"…and there will no at large candidates." as in over-weight or financially stuffed?
"assess the current political landscape ahead of the next election with the view of introducing" This is not very definitive rhetoric.
I certainly hope this is not an attempt to play political games and get out of passing OMOV heading off any other bills that are scheduled to be introduced.
The public has been clear that they want it and the PPM has it clearly in their manifesto that they would implement it. It is the issue that got them elected.
I think it is time to pass OMOV and then have the commission do the necessary boundary work. It would make them credible again in the eyes of those who put them in office. Until it is law their credibility is in question.
It can be easily fixed and they need to do so now. Only this would renew my faith in them. Delay tactics will backfire.
Len, you understand that, I hope the Premier does as well. He thinks he is slick but he will get the last lick.
Please don't get me wrong. I sincerely hope that the Premier is 100% sincere. This is the opportunity for him, and the other people who got elected because of their promises, to keep those promises and prove they are worth their word. It is our job as voters to publicly hold them accountable by voicing our opinion. It is our duty to do so just as it is our duty to voice our opinion by going to the polls on election day. We help our elected officials when we do so. Remember they are supposed to be working for us, we have the obligation to remind them of that and let them know when we are not happpy with them.
Premier McLaughlin don't put the OMOV as priority right now, Caymanians need jobs to pay their bill, savetheir home and feed their families. We don't want hand outs, have the nerves of steel to make the proper directives that will put Caymanians back to work. The rest of the world is coming and getting jobs while Caymanians are left to suffer. Would you call all the children from around your neighbourhood have a cookout and feed them while you leave your children hungry? this is what is happening to your people "Caymanians" the people you were elected to lead.
Why can't the Premier and the PPM government do both. One is definitely not dependent of the other. As far as can see very little is being done on either front and whil you are at it please roll back the fuel tax. Any respectable government could/should do all of the above and them some. What is really wrong with this man?
Well said! Don't know why you got a thumbs down. You are 100% RIGHT!
Fair points poster.
However, I humbly submit a minor tweak to your post; Caymanians don't "need jobs" – what the country needs is less non-Caymanians taking the jobs that clearly exist!
The biggest challenge facing us right now is figuring out the euqation to bring this to fruition.
I hope credit and thanks for this move goes to Anthony Eden and Alva Suckoo, these two men went against their party line to fight for equality for the people. They are real Caymanian heroes! Thank you both for being true to your word.
Al and Tony, we will never forget your efforts, but I do believe you still will have to fight on this on. Stand firm.
They are not heros , simply men of their word. Party should not change the honor of a man.