Roulstone guarding independence in GT race
(CNS): Sharon Roulstone is the second independent female candidate to declare her intention to join the George Town battleground to win one of the six seats up for grabs in the Legislative Assembly this May. Although Roulstone said that she has gone through the process of seeking endorsement from the Coalition for Cayman, she has not heard from the group and, regardless of the endorsement, she said she would be fiercely guarding her independence during the political race and once in office if she is returned by the capital’s voters. Nevertheless, Roulstone said she shared similar views with the coalition team that is running in the capital and would be happy to work with them in a government.
Roulstone said the issue at this election is the need for a new and more accountable style of leadership in the country’s parliament. She said that all MLAs needed to recognize that they are answerable only to the Cayman people, not to party leaders, as she emphasised the fact that she was free of the constraints imposed by political parties.
“Over the course of recent political administrations, the interests of the Caymanian people have not been represented in the true spirit of democracy,” said Roulstone. “Instead, our leaders seem to give priority to the interests of the party over what is the overall good for the country. I will bring a fiercely independent voice to the Legislative Assembly and make sure the interests of hardworking Caymanians are represented,” added Roulstone.
“I have a passion for the people, history and culture of the Cayman Islands,” said Roulstone. “With our country heading in the wrong direction, I feel a personal duty and responsibility to help restore hope in the hearts of the Caymanian people by getting our beloved country back on track. It’s time we return to a government that is honest and transparent, is always fiscally responsible and, finally, looks out for the bests interests of all of Cayman.”
No stranger to campaigning, Roulstone hit the streets this summer as one of a group of people who campaigned hard ahead of the referendum on one man-one vote and is still strongly in favour of the introduction of single member constituencies as soon as possible.
Roulstone was born and raised in the heart of George Town and continues to live there today. She earned her law degree from the University of Liverpool, then worked for many years with the firm of Walkers before starting her own firm in 2003. She has served on many government boards and private sector organisations, including the (former) Immigration Board, CINICO, the Maritime Authority (MACI), the Civil Service Appeals Commission and the Work Permit Board. She has also served with the Chamber of Commerce, the National Trust, the Caymanian Bar Association, the Cayman Arts Festival and the YMCA.
Category: Politics
Congrats Sharon, Thanks we need more people like you. Please Please stay as an independant and not run with C4C. They will NOT be an asset to you.
SHARON, you must publicly declare your support and alliances in a possible coalition government because if you are willing to form an alliance with any past or present UDP politicians or independents then we the people of GT are not willing to give you our vote and support. You are a good Caymanian, so we beg that you openly declare that you will only support a PPM and non UDP Independent candidatesm for a coalition government.
If you do not openly declare this you do not get our vote.
I have noticed an increased anti expat sentiment on the Island generally I blame politicians for fueling this for votes.
Hopefully that means we get to lose foolio.
You should win only becasue you are female, and not just because your entourage will exaggerate your credibility.
VERY PROUD OF YOU!
You have my vote. I needed another person to add to my list with our good ole Mike Adams. Certainly appreciated your letter, I know you stand a good chance.
What do they have in common – both white GTers?
Good ole Mike? He should be voted out of office for reneging on his commitment to remove McKeeva Bush from office. He chose him over the country. The man has no backbone and should be dispensed with in short order.
Give us some more in West Bay like Sharon and Tara in West Bay!! They don’t have to live in the district you know.
If she had not put "10th generation" in her announcement I might have been interested. But she is not getting any votes because I want to vote for someone who sees all Caymanians as the same, whether they be paper, 1st generation, 10th generation or 20th generation.
Nothing wrong with that. That is something to be proud of.
I feel the same as you 9:30 but as you can see from the thumbs down, it appears as if some of our moronic voters (all countries have them in abundance) don't agree with you. You can be an effin idjut but as long as you are a born Caymanian/ son/daughter of the soil/go to church etc etc you are in with a chance. That's why we have ended up with such terrible MLAs in past years. Useless,/failures in their primary occupations but "real" Caymanians so no problem. Sharon is NOT, repeat, NOT, like that. She is an excellent candidate and does not have unhealthy hang-ups about ex-pats and the British etc. But it is a real shame she felt she had to add legitimacy to her candidacy by going down the generational route.
First Generation Caymanian/75th Generation UK.
I have status through marriage and think it is excellent that she mentions the generations that she came from. Nothing wrong with being proud of how we were growing and great before the days of party politics, scandal, and corruption. Yes Sharon, please remind the people that have been brainwashed and kept illiterate by the shameful politicians that we have suffered under for the past decade.
Cayman worked very very well BEFORE party politics. I'm sure she has some respected elders in her past and this is the reason.
*sigh* I am definitely going to vote right, but I'm sitting here this morning asking the question of why OMOV isn't in place for our 2013 Election?! I DO NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR 4/5 PPL!! Just give me ONE choice! urghhh. Just give us the damn OMOV already!!!!!!! Party Politics have way to much an advantage in our islands. Everything is to THEIR favor!
Ahhhh…HELLO Friend!!!! You do have a CHOICE of ONLY voting for ONE person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what seems to be your dilema? If you don't think the other 4 or 5 are worthy…………the just vote for ONE person (hence YOUR OMOV)!! DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You people whine over foolishness, seriously.
Sharon I respect you, support you and thank you for being so passionate about the welfare of people, never materialistic and always realistic, down to earth and very approachable – Cayman, you want change, here is another perfect example of the kind of representation the people of these islands need!
Now is the time. This is the election year that needs to see more stalwart and independent women to return to our government, who are not only educated but have the morals, values and integrity which have been lacking in all more recent governments. Sharon Elaine Roulstone is one of those who I am sure would make the late great Annie Huldah Bodden very proud. I pray she is successful in her candidacy and I am sure she would be one GT MLA that Cayman could be very proud of. Thank you for stepping up to the plate Sharon and God bless you.
Congrats Sharon, it's been long, a long time coming but I know a change is gonna come, yes I know that it will. Thank you, thank you Sharon for running. Oh there were times when I thought that these beloved isle would not last for much longer but now I think that we will be able to carry on. It's been long, a long time time coming but I know that a change is gonna come, oh yes it will. Thanks Again, Sharon you have my vote.
Congrats Sharon. You are a great Caymanian lady. Now I only have to decide on the other 5. You have my vote !!
Go Sharon. We love and respect you but……don’t sell your soul to the C4C/UDPlite Scott brothers money for influence machine. It’s not worth it and it will cost you votes in the end. If you can only serve one master, make it be Cayman!
Just what we need more educated women!! Congrats!
I really admire this caymanian power-house. She is good for our country and so approachable. I live in West Bay but will encourage my GT friends and family to strongly consider this lady for one of their votes. I hope GTowners gives her a seat.
Having know Ms Roulstone for many years when she was(and still is)involved on various committees on the Island and now hearing that she is going to run for a seat in the GTown area in May it makes me feel good to know that she will now take her talents to the LA.She has ALWAYS been a very helpful person to those in need(and yes this was way before she decided to run for election)Her integrity is beyond reproach and her heart is certainly in the right place as she loves Cayman having been born and raised here .Her understanding of the many problems and issues that we face today as a Nation is also very strong but not only does she understand them she has answers to many of these problems and I encourage people to get out and listen to her solutions when she hits the Campaign trail and give her your support.She is NOT a party person but believes that Independent candidates CAN and WILL make a difference to the running of of this country in the days and months ahead.Before any of you decide against anyone of these Independents give them the chance to talk to you but more importantly LISTEN to what Joe public has to say.There are many good talkers running the LA right now but there are hardly and LISTENERS and that is where our country has gone wrong.Support Sharon Roulstone and let her show you that she CAN and WILL make a difference.
I echo your remarks Peter. As you say she is a person whose attributes include integrity, a commodity that has been sadly missing in the lives of several politicians over the past twenty years. In addition, once she is elected we will see a lot more transparency, another commodity that has been missing. Role on election day.
If only there were four like her in West Bay?!?
Congratulations Sharon!! Thank you for putting your personal life on hold and offering your expertise and services to the people of George Town and Grand Cayman on a hold. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
I hope she has proof she gave up her USA citizenship – if not then there will be an issue.
Stop insulting the integrity of this woman, don’t you think being a lawyer that she wouldn’t know the law in relation to her citizenship?
Lets hope some of the current crop gave theirs up too!
You kind of people should just never talk. Here, acting like you're any higher then your own backside.
I don't think CG ever gave his up?
It is a stupid law since we can all have UK, i.e. European citizenship, with a simple application.
Cayman is not exactly a military/industrial powerhouse so that we need to control those interests, it just allows you to get through immigration faster.
It is not stupid. Similar restrictions are found in the Constitutions of most democratic countries and with good reason. British Citizenship by virtue of your connection to Cayman is specifically exempted under the Constitution.
So why, exactly, should I not be able to vote for a Caymanian because they obtained citizenship by being born in the US, for example? What does that have anything to do with their ability to be an effective politician?
Furthermore, we want our best lawyers, accountants, nurses, doctors, etc to go overseas so they can get past the glass ceiling. This, at the age when they are most likely to have children. So, when they come back we will say good for you but, BTW, your kids are now second class Caymanians…
I am not just talking about Sharon, but just in general.
If you are simply entitled to US citizenship by virtue of your birth you are not disqualified. However, if you have taken any step to take up that citizenship, e.g. obtaining a U.S. passport, then you are disqualified. The reason is obvious you are under a pledge of allegiance to a foreign state while running to be a part of the govt. of Cayman. Obvious potential conflict.
This issue has nothing to do with Caymanians being trained abroad. That is a total red herring. I was professionally trained overseas and did not take up any foreign citizenship, but if I had and also had a burning passion to serve the land of my birth I would give it up in a heartbeat. If you're not willing to do that then your heart is not in the right place to begin with.
ATTEN: 18;55
It has come to our attention that American/Caymanian citizens living in the Cayman Islands aspiring to a political career in the Cayman Islands Legislature are being forced to give up their US citizenship! This is not in keeping with International Human Rights convention.
The US should take up this issue with the Minister for Overseas Territories Mr.Mark Simmonds who needs to addressthis serious matter.
US citizens with dual citizenship living abroad should not have to give up their citizenship for any reason especially to pursue a political career or to run for office.
THE US SHOULD ENGAGE THE CAYMAN ISLANDS ON THIS SERIOUS MATTER
FORCING A DUAL CITIZENSHIP CANDIDATES TO GIVE UP ONE OF THEIR CITIZENSHIP STATUS MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF THEIR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS !
This perception of dual loyalty can apply even when the job in question does not require security clearance. In the United States, dual citizenship is common among politicians or government employees. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger retained his Austrian citizenship during his service as a Governor of California.In 1999, the U.S. Attorney General’s office issued an official opinion that a statutory provision that required the Justice Department not to employ a non-”citizen of the United States.
So what on earth is wrong with USA citizenship?
An MLA cannot be a dual citizen.
Say what you want about C4C, but they are presenting some excellent choices.
The article says she has not been endorsed by C4C.
No, but this is the type of individuals that C4C has brought to the table.
Which begs the question – why haven't they endorsed her?
17 thumbs down for a purely factual statement. Wow. Seems you have C$C Kool Aid drinkers too.
Sharon, i respect and admire you putting yourself for the country. You have my vote and support!
This is great news. Finally, an honest lady.
Ms Roulstone, the last thing you need is an endorsement from C4C. In my opinion, they are nothing more than a spoiler party designed to help the UDP get a foothold in George Town. Haynes, Connolly, McTaggart and Scott seem about as interested as a child at the opera. To hear them speak, they lack passion and would only hold a true patriot back.
No Ma'am. Stand on your own convictions. I believe that most honest Caymanians would rather see a true independent. I wish you all the best as you stand true to your inspiration and your convictions. I just wish that there were more like you.
When a politician speaks with passion, its because he knows how much he's pocketing.
In the days when the men went off to Sea, the strong women of Cayman took care of our beloved isles. It is about time that brilliant, strong women like Sharon have stepped back into the shoes of running this country. I see clearer seas on the horizon. Good Luck Sharon. Wishing you all the best.
Fantastic!
Another quality candidate, with solid academic and private sector experience as well as a long history of community service.
Congrats Sharon for stepping forward –
Where are the other qualty candidates? Not C4C surely? None of them really care. They are playing sham for UDP.
PPM is on a roll on this website!!!
If Sharon refuses the C4C or the C4C refuses her, then she is TRULY independent, and people like her ought to be supported. I admire her stance. :o)
C4C are UDP in disguise. None of them really care unless the Bushmeister gets back in. What a disgrace. In fact C4C are basically Lodge. These people disgust me, thinking that they can pull the wool over the voters' eyes.