More than 81 per cent of the 500 respondents to last week’s cayCompass.com online poll said political parties are either bad or terrible for the Cayman Islands.
The largest segment of respondents – 291 people or 58.2 per cent – thought political parties were terrible for the territory.
“It is terribly divisive and we should get rid of it,” said one person.
“Party politics has not only caused a big divide among Caymanians, it’s caused the politicians to become useless to the people because they only toe the party line,” said someone else.
“United we stand, divided we fall,” said another person. “Growing up in the states as a Republican didn’t mean too much to my Democrat neighbours. We were best of friends. But here, no way. Party politics don’t belong on this little Island.”
“They are not real parties,” commented one person.
“Gangs is what they are,” said someone else.
The second largest segment of respondents – 115 people or 23 per cent – said party politics was bad for the Cayman Islands.
“Too much partying seems to be going on, plus too much fighting among the two parties, which is not good at all for the people and the country,” said one person. “I’d much prefer to see teams or independent candidates who are well educated with certain qualifications relevant to running a country honestly and properly. Politicians need to act much more responsible and more mature so that the voting public can be proud of sensible achievements.”
Another 55 people – 11 per cent – thought political parties were good for Cayman. But even the two people who voted that way and left comments had reservations.
“Yes it can work, but not at the moment,” said one person. “The problem here in Cayman is the voting populace is not mature enough nor can they separate their inner feelings on the facts – especially when it is family, friends, coworkers that are involved. This country needs a new way of thinking. Hopefully future generations will make this adjustments.”
“Two parties is good for the Cayman Islands,” said someone else. “Having more than two parties will only cause the Cayman Islands’ people to be more divided. This will cause confusion and conflict. The Cayman Islands people needs to be united, not divided. Get it right for the people of the Cayman Islands.”
Only 11 people – 2.2 per cent – thought political parties were great for the territory. None of them left comments.
Twenty-eight people – 5.6 per cent – responded ‘I don’t know’ to the poll question.
“What’s bad is UDP politics,” said one person.
“There is good and bad in political parties, just like most things in life,” said someone else. “The problem with the party in power now is that one powerful person has 90 percent of the power and it seems to be his way or the highway.”
Next week’s poll question
Since the beginning of school and the opening of the new Clifton Hunter High School, how have you found the traffic on the morning commute into George Town compared to previous school years?
Much lighter
Somewhat lighter
About the same
Heavier
I don’t commute into George Town
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This poll result tells us more about the calibre and behaviour of Cayman’s politicians than it does about the actuality or necessity of political parties. Even if there were no party system, sadly we would likely get the same politicians masquerading as independents.
The Compass online poll gives us some idea of the feelings of people concerning Cayman’s political parties. Noted that 52.8 of those polled thought political parties were terrible for the country. I guess this feeling is generated by hate and disgust because of the way political parties generally behave and act toward each other and the electorate.
I believe that the problem is not so much the problem as such but how to resolve the problem. For example some elected officials seem to forget they are sent to office to serve the people and country as a whole – nothing more, nothing less. Another thing that is disappointing is the various promises that are made and not fulfilled. Also, reasoning and civility appear to be lacking at times. These three examples give rise to distrust and anger towards politicians.
In order to change and reverse this trend, politicans must see themselves as servants of the people, always endeavouring to work well together with their counterparts – irrespective of political sentiments, views and persuasions. At the same time showing respect for each other. Then and only then, I believe, people will have a different opinion and attitude toward political parties. Also, constructive criticism should be accepted and appreciated by politicians thereby signalling that it is human to err, and they can be corrected and also that no one is above the law.
Political parties must demonstrate and exhibit good leadership qualities and the willingness to put the country first and not self interest or only looking out for friends and families.
Every country needs leadership – sound democratic leadership so as to avoid chaos and confusion. We see what happens under dictatorship rule.