Ex-YUDP leader joins Scotland and Seymour for BT
(CNS): The former president of the Young United Democratic Party, Richard Christian, has announced his intention to contest a seat in Bodden Town at the 22 May General Election but not with the UDP. The former youth leader, who resigned from the party in January following the arrest of former premier McKeeva Bush and the downfall of the UDP administration, has now joined forces with the two Bodden Town incumbent ministers. Christian said he would be running alongside Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour, who were both ousted from the UDP after they supported a no confidence motion in the government in order to force Bush from office after he refused to resign.
“I’ve been mulling over this decision for more than a year after becoming dissatisfied with many of our political leaders; their lack of accountability, disregard for moral and ethical principles and the declining fortunes of our people,” Christian stated. “I believe I possess the character and leadership skills to make a difference. And because I want to see change, I have to help make it.”
Fighting for a seat in the island’s fastest-growing district, Christian said he supports the relocation of the landfill to the district as proposed under the Dart deal, which is still being negotiated.
However, the former UDP member said he would support opening a new improved, properly managed waste facility in any district as he believes the current site has reached its limit. Christian said, “If the EIA study shows that there is no major impact to the environment and government can show a proper business plan on how the new location will be managed and not get out of hand like the current site, I support the new proposed facility in Bodden Town.”
He pointed to the limitations on government finances, saying it was unlikely that the current site could be resolved and the longer it takes to tackle the problem the more detrimental it will be to the environment.
Christian also said he was especially concerned about Cayman’s high-cost of living, rising unemployment, lack of job advancement and opportunities for Caymanians, substance abuse and the need for vocational scholarships and training.
“I know what many families are going through first hand, whether it’s living under rigid financial constraints, challenges of raising a young family or the heartache of having a family member who has a substance abuse problem,” he said. “In order to be a good leader, I believe that you must first be a great servant. My community contributions and achievements have proven that I am a positive role model for our children and an effective leader for our country. People are eager for results, I am eager to work.”
Christian, who is a born again Christian, serves as president of the Newland Heights Resident’s Association, Vice President of the Savannah Primary School PTA and deputy chairman of the Bodden Town District Council, where he coordinates community meetings, community projects, assist citizens with various matters and organizes the annual children’s and senior Christmas parties on behalf of MLAs Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour. He also sits on the government appointed National Youth Commission and was on the steering committee for the YMCA Cayman.
With nearly twenty years of experience in the financial industry,Christian said he is well acquainted with accountability, teamwork and professionalism.
“To preserve the rich community and meet needs of a growing population, we need representatives that are accessible, transparent and caring,” he added.
Category: Politics
If he has a US passport he can't run anyway.
Cayman politics has to be the most amusing ever, You people seriously don't know who to vote for. You vote for people like Mackeeva, then give this man such a hard time. Not saying he is the best choice, But to bash him like this? You people are sad.
Don't forget, this man supported McKeeva … birds of a feather and all that … just saying, he's fair game
Anyone who had any part in the support mechanism which helped McKeeva Bush become premier, and, more importantly, stay premier when he was obviously on a collision course is just as bad. This means any supporter, former supporter, MLA, former MLA, member, former member or even any voter is just as guilty. Most guilty of all are UDP and UDP Lite MLA's, the latter of which only voted him down when they had absolutely no other option.
let us seperate Church from State. Why is it we can only praise God and drink Rum on Sunday ? No Supermarkets No hardware stores open? Time for us to be able to do something constructive on Sunday.
You want the dump in BT, are you serious? Just that alone will not get you my vote! How much are they paying you to support that ? You contradict yourself about your reasons for running, then you turn around and team up with those sell outs (Mark and John John). You must really think the BT people are idiots!
I am here to tell you we have had enough of your kind in politics!
I would have given you my vote considering your ethics and hard work to obtain a managers position at Caledonian. However, my family and I which consist of 175 will not vote for you as you have aligned your self to two XXXX politicians. Good luck at the polls but I assure you UDP and ex UDP don't stand a chance in Bodden town as sure as the dump is heading in our district!
His cuff is too long. I would not vote for someone whose cuff is too long.
Richard's message has been constant. He is a good man that has always had good intentions. His brand of leadership is different from many in public service and office. He is young but commited.
He has been involved with politics at the grass root level and has certainly done good. His christian faith has provide a templet for all his works.
He is a christian who continues to try to be like Christ. Not perfect but consistently doing good. I challenge all who would tarnish his reputation.
Let this young man succeed. Let this young man follow his intentions and what he belives is the will of God.
He really is not the typical model of so many others that run for public office. He is the real deal.
So all the would be haters….stop trying to destroy a well deserved reputation.
He is a good man and I will be voting for him.
Aligning yourself with UDP at any stage of the game was a mistake, sorry you will have to go down with all of them. You knew long before the Premier's arrest what his character was like and I guess it would have been ok had he not been caught. Sorry my mother always told me 'show me your company and I'll tell you who you are'.
Find something else to do to occupy your time
As Mutombo said…. Not in my house!
What a joke, no surprise here he is family to Scotland!! Birds of a feather flock together!!
Listen, you people seem to forget (as so many forgot in the past) that YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE STRAIGHT!!!!! Not because Richard will appear on the same ticket as the other two candidtaes doesn't mean his chances will be ruined. Each voter has the choice to vote for only one, for two, for all three or for none if they so chose! Get a grip people!!!!!!!!!!
Vote splitting is what helped the UDP last time, Do not be fooled again, vote straight PPM
voting straight PPM simply because you don't want the UDP is insane! There are other options out there, and voting out of fear should not be accepted, and to promote it is shameful.
Let me guess you are on here to promote your substitute player Charles Clifford? There is no denying that vote splitting helped the UDP last election so why are you C4C "activists" promoting it again?
Kent I heard Johann throw his support behind Al Suckoo in BT, are you also going to offer him your support? I heard the 3 of you worked closely on the OMOV campaign. Or are you going to follow "Party Line" and support Charles Clifford now ?
Show us how much of an independent thinker you are and tell us why you would not support Al Suckoo and Wayne Panton who worked alongside you throughout the referendum?
At least Johann has the integrity to speak his mind!
No, it's not insane. That's exactly why the UDP got elected in 09 by splitting the vote voting for so-called independents who were not really independents. Some of the C4C candidates fall in that category and would readily join with McKeeva again to form the next govt. if the opportunity presented itself. The one imperative is that McKeeva never again be the premier in this country. Everything else takes second place.
See that UDP brush over there? You are still tarred with it.
The problem that I have with Mr. Christian is the same that I found with Ellio, and that is the tendency to mislead people on their qualifications.
Mr Christian is 36 years old, and to have almost 20 years experience in the Financial Industry tells me that he must have started his "experience" when he opened his first bank account. How does this fit into his claims of strong moral and ethical principles?
He speaks of the need for vocational scholarships and training yet he neglects to tell us about any qualifications that he acquired whilst making his way to the postion of Operations Manager. Tell us about the sacrifices and study you did, and name the qualifications you have to be an Operations Manager in a Financial Institution?
Tell us more about what people really need to know to judge you. Being named Christian at birth, sholdn't he be born-a-third-time rather than born-again Christian?
You may have a point there. Working as a bank teller in a bank could be called "experience in the Finance Industry".
To me, "Operations Manager" often means some ill-defined middle-management role that involves precious little responsibility. Happy to hear different though………………. 😉
Ex UDP??….Seems to be a familiar tune in the last few weeks!
How can we ever trust any members of the UDP or anyone who has anykind of an affiliation with them? How can we trust any former UDP members who has stabbed their own leader in the back? It is like Judas betraying Christ , they would eat out of the same dish with you and drink out of the same cup, then behind your back they will stab you! I say out with the old and in with the new….
I support this young man but i'm not giving the other 2 my X on election day. Richard… Think twice not about running but about who you run with. This race is your's to win, now give yourself a fighting chance.
No UDP.
You gotta hand it to Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour. Trying to pick up the "God vote" by association. What a joke!
Richard, are you sure it was the Lord who told you to run?
Whatever happened to "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?" Just sayin'.
Save your money for another day, bro'.
Richard u are a good person and possibly a great candidate for BT unfortunately all men are known by the company they keep!!!
Richard is the only true C brac Christian in the race. We were wandering when we would see a true christian Politician.
Why would this young man dirty himself with these two running mates. Regardless of the split Mark and Jon Jon both supported the UDP and all of the alleged wrong doing for 3 1/2 years, now they want to pretend they were under so much pressure and couldnt take it anymore. They were more than turnign a blind eye, they were supporting and participating in any alleged wrong doing. Shame on all 3 of you, do BT a favour and do not even show up on Wednesday.
Not knocking your community service but, as Mark and Dwayne are finished in BT, I dont see how you will help their chances (or yours) by being on the same ticket?
As an Independent you may have stood a better chance.
Hi Mr. Christian,
If you were mulling over this decision for a year then why on earth would you want to run with Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour? You just kicked your owe self out of the race!! Cause we Bodden Towners NOT VOTING Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour BACK IN!! YA HEAR!
If possible, can I vote for Mr. Jim and Mr. Haig? These 2 men dead and long gone are better than Mark and Dwayne put together. They've done NOTHING for Bodden Town and should be ashamed of themselves for running again. Richard, you picked the wrong team and wrong party. Us BT'ers have had enough of the talk and no action. We are the fastest growing district and need SOLID and proper representation. I am not sure who I am voting for, but I know who I AM NOT voting for. Pack your bags Mark and Dwayne, out of the big house you go!
Hear, Hear! Agreed 100%!
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! Not going to happen again Marky Mark and Bobo!
I can't even believe you both think you have a chance to get in again???
And now…the political circus grows…..
Thank you Richard for coming forward to represent us. We need more men like you who are commited, honesty and God fearing to run my Cayman Islands. You are a humble man, very approchable and sincere. I wish you all the best.
That maybe true Richard but mark and John john ride through B/T to the LA is over for Dem and their siblings running around in their expensive rides looking down their noses at the con-stituents come on Bodden Town put a stop to all these free loaders double dipping do nothing politicians who only know where you live at election time I bet that cellphone mailbox aint full now and their hands aren't tied now either?
You mean useless do-nothing double-dippers like Kurt and Anthony?
U forgot to mention Keke, so i did for you.
…and Capt. Eugene.
I am sorry, but leaving the UDP once Mac was arrested was far too late and shows self-interested opportunism rather than integrity. The behaviour of the administration had been atrocious for years and clearly atrocious. "A fresh face, a fresh stat" is his slogan. "I am rat who jumped off the sinking ship" would be more appropriate.
“I’ve been mulling over this decision for more than a year after becoming dissatisfied with many of our political leaders; their lack of accountability, disregard for moral and ethical principles and the declining fortunes of our people,” – So he chooses to align himself with Scotland and Seymour? Anyone else see the irony in this?
Richard, aligning yourself with those two and at the same time speaking about integrity? Come on Richard, we expected better from you seriously !!!
Richard with a remark like that either you are an idiot or …you are UDP. You would get my vote if I was either but unfortunately I am neither.
*rolls my eyes