Topic: Alden McLaughlin
Barefoot Man – ‘Ballad of Mac and Alden’
Cayman's troubadour Barefoot Man unveils his latest election-inspired single, "Ballad of Mac and Alden."
Premier McLaughlin’s term limited by constitution
In serving his second term as the Cayman Islands government’s leader, Premier Alden McLaughlin – if he finishes the four-year stint – will be forced to leave the post.
Premier McLaughlin to lead 13-member coalition government
A coalition of 13 elected members of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly was sworn in Wednesday in downtown George Town, bringing an end to the political scramble that followed the territory’s May 24 general election.
EDITORIAL – Press freedom: Taking a stand, not a ‘pass’
Any attempt by government bureaucrats to regulate, influence or in any way interfere with our lawful news-gathering mission will be met with polite, but firm, rejection.
UPDATED: Few surprises as government sworn in
A 13-member government was sworn in by Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick Wednesday morning in a Legislative Assembly ceremony.
UPDATE: Longtime rivals join forces to form coalition government
For the second time in four days, longtime political rivals Alden McLaughlin and McKeeva Bush agreed to form a coalition government.
EDITORIAL – One Man, One Vote: Cayman’s stormy political seas
You could call it chaos, confusion and turmoil. We call it "Cayman Islands democracy in action."
BREAKING: PPM-CDP coalition forms … again
It’s Premier Alden McLaughlin and Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush … again.
EDITORIAL – ‘Premier for a Day’: Who’s Next?
Nothing will be certain until the majority of the Legislative Assembly arrives at a final decision and the governor makes her official appointments.
EARLIER: Elected members struggle to form new gov’t and name premier
Discussions over the future of the government remained mired in uncertainty Sunday afternoon following a weekend in which Alden McLaughlin and then McKeeva Bush declared themselves premier, only for the deals to fall apart.
Bush strikes deal with independents to become premier
McKeeva Bush is set to become premier of the Cayman Islands, striking a deal with a group of independents, and reversing an announcement made hours earlier with the Progressives.
EARLIER: McLaughlin, Bush announced agreement to form new government
A diverse mix of political leaders has been chosen to form the next Cayman Islands government under Premier Alden McLaughlin, who will be serving his second term in that position.
Independents’ day: Coalition government looms
A disparate group of independent candidates triumphed in Wednesday’s general election, but they did not manage to win a 10-seat majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Search widens in Manchester bombing; Cayman offers condolences
London Office Director Eric Bush said the office has checked the welfare of the three Caymanians registered as living in the Manchester area and all are fine. Mr. Bush said the blast hit a bit close to home for him as well.
Candidates make last bid for votes
At least three rival rallies will take place across Grand Cayman Tuesday night as the independent candidates, the Cayman Democratic Party and the Progressives make their final pitch to voters before the midnight deadline for all campaigning to stop.
Rival supporters clash as campaign rallies heat up
Rival supporters crossed paths in the streets on Saturday as two political rallies intersected on a busy final weekend of campaigning ahead of Wednesday’s general election. There were no reports of any physical violence.
Election candidates split over immigration restructure
Three candidates in Wednesday’s general election took deeply divided positions on immigration reform, with some favoring a work permit moratorium and others seeking to take the granting of work permits away from the Immigration Department entirely.
George Town Landfill: A growing monument to governments’ inaction
The issue is a long-standing toxic eyesore that dominates Grand Cayman’s landscape, presents an odorous nuisance for neighbors and poses a potential health threat to the Cayman Islands public. The George Town Landfill has been a fixture on the political calendar for decades but became a headline-grabbing topic during the United Democratic Party’s 2009-2012 administration.
Miss Lassie, Aunt Julia to get special headstone markers
Two “national treasures” of the Cayman Islands, Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush and “Aunt” Julia Hydes, will be recognized with specially crafted headstones to mark their graves. Premier Alden McLaughlin, as Cayman’s culture minister, handed over a $24,000 check for the headstones to the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
Immigration, permanent residence: Time bomb continues to tick
Three-and-a-half years and three lawsuits later, the Cayman Islands government has granted a total of two people permanent residence out of close to 1,000 applications filed under the current Immigration Law.
EDITORIAL – Immigration: Time to ‘reframe’ the issue
Beginning today and for the remainder of this week, we will devote the front page of the Compass to a single issue of paramount importance to the well-being of these islands.
Online police clearances now available
The days of making two trips to the police records office on Walkers Road to obtain police clearances are over, at least for internet users.
Rowdy biker crashes outside political meeting
A man who was reported to be revving a motorcycle and shouting obscenities outside a George Town political meeting Tuesday night ended up crashing the motorbike into a car, injuring the driver.
EDITORIAL – The quality of Cayman crime: (Not good enough!)
The Cayman Islands is one of the world’s foremost offshore financial centers, home to complex multibillion-dollar corporate structures. Accordingly, you would think that the crimes committed here would tend to be really smart. Not so.
Police: No record of ‘second’ arrest for candidate Bryan
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officials said Wednesday that they were unable to find any record of Premier Alden McLaughlin’s former political assistant being arrested a second time between 2013 and 2016.
EDITORIAL – The case against reckless speech: Exhibit ‘Alden’
The concept of free speech is the foundation upon which all other rights are based.
Premier focuses attacks on candidate Bryan
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin is not running against his former political assistant Kenneth Bryan in the May election, but you would not know it from the recent political rhetoric.
EDITORIAL – Political campaigns enter the home stretch
In three short weeks, Cayman Islands voters will stream to the country’s polling stations for Cayman’s quadrennial exercise in democracy.
Premier: Progressives will bring more PR changes if elected
If re-elected, Premier Alden McLaughlin said, his Progressives government in its first year will make more “significant” changes again to the system that awards permanent residence to non-Caymanians.
Red Bay candidates identify top issues
The three political hopefuls for Red Bay district in eastern George Town have widely varied spending priorities should they get elected on May 24.
EDITORIAL – How much has gov’t spent on the John Gray gym?
How much has the Cayman Islands government spent on the construction of the new John Gray High School gym?
Premier comes out swinging
In a Saturday night event that was partly a campaign launch and partly a fond farewell to a former Progressives party leader, Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin took aim at two political opponents.
61 of 63 candidates file interests by deadline
The vast majority of the candidates for election to the Legislative Assembly filed their register of interest forms by the March 29 deadline, according to a review done Thursday by the Cayman Compass.
EDITORIAL – ‘Where’s Alden?’: Different approaches to political chess
There’s a truism in political circles that goes, “Before voters ever choose their candidates – candidates have already chosen their voters.” That’s certainly what happened yesterday – Nomination Day – particularly with the Progressives.
Record-setting Nomination Day: 63 hopefuls compete for 19 seats
A record 63 candidates will contest the Cayman Islands general election on May 24 after a frantic day of nominations across the country generated some surprises.
Election: Tibbetts, Connolly out, Eden back in
One long Cayman Islands political career came to an end Monday night, while another lengthy one continued and a fledgling career was seemingly cut short, as candidate nomination day loomed for general election candidates.
Government drops lawyers bill at last minute
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin announced late Monday afternoon that his Progressives-led government was abandoning efforts to pass a version of the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill during the current term, which ends Tuesday.
Health City signs deal with St. Maarten
Patients from the Caribbean island of St. Maarten will be brought to Grand Cayman on weekly charter flights for medical treatment at Health City Cayman Islands, the hospital’s owners announced Monday.
Lawyers bill faces more delays as opposition reignites
Concerned that government may walk back its earlier agreement on changes to the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill, members of the independent opposition on Friday fired a new salvo in the months-long battle over the legislation.
Former PPM leader’s brother on opposition party team
The opposition Democratic Party will field at least 10 party candidates, in addition to supporting some independents for the upcoming election. One of those CDP candidates is Denniston Tibbetts, the older brother of Progressives party founder and former leader, Kurt Tibbetts.
$625,000 paid over pre-2002 medical claim
The Cayman Islands government was forced to pay $625,000 in August over a medical negligence claim that predates 2002. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is also the health minister, said the payment was “in addition to” other expenditures made in relation to the case.
Lawyers bill changes set for Friday
Controversial changes to the law that governs the operation of Cayman Islands lawyers and law firms are expected to be reviewed by the Assembly on Friday. Premier Alden McLaughlin said late Wednesday that the government had filed a number of proposed amendments to the plan.
Premier: Indigent, seamen’s healthcare costs $2.5M-$3.5M per month
The government is now paying between $2.5 million to $3.5 million each month to fund retired seamen, servicemen and uninsured Caymanians’ healthcare costs. Premier Alden McLaughlin revealed the amounts Wednesday during statements to the Assembly.
Gov’t: $3M to fight Ebola not spent
Remember the Ebola virus scare of 2014?The Cayman Islands government apparently had some $3 million in available funds for the anticipated operating costs to fight the spread of the virus, if it arrived on these shores.
Deputy governor concerned about ‘politicized’ civil service
A heated Legislative Assembly exchange Monday over the fate of a Cayman Islands senior prisons manager brought warnings against “politicizing” the public service from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson.
Bush: Stop blaming party system
McKeeva Bush criticized repeated attacks on the territory’s two-party political system Friday, warning that individuals or groups outside the Legislative Assembly could end up controlling the government following the May 24 general election, rather than the candidates voters choose.
Lawyers bill compromise flops; debate continues
A Cayman Islands government minister signaled Tuesday that some changes to a controversial proposal seeking to further regulate the practice of law in the islands would have to be made before the bill is approved.
Cannabis oil import permit approved
A Cayman Islands pharmacy says it has secured an import permit to bring cannabis oil to the territory for medicinal purposes.It is believed to be the first such permission to be granted since cannabis oil extracts and tinctures were legalized late last year.
Property Perspective: Surveyors conference highlights
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors held their third conference in the Cayman Islands last month, and they highlighted some interesting points that I thought would be worth discussing further in this market update. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors held their third conference in the Cayman Islands last month, and they highlighted some interesting points that I thought would be worth discussing further in this market update.
McLaughlin’s radio comments led to Syed trial delays
Premier Alden McLaughlin and broadcaster Hurley’s Media were publicly admonished Thursday over a radio interview that threatened to derail the trial of Hassan Syed before it reached the jury.
Gov’t pushes Legal Practitioners Bill forward
In a surprise move Wednesday afternoon, the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly began debate on the latest draft of the Legal Practitioners Bill.
Premier delivers keynote in London
In a keynote speech at a conference at Blackstone Chambers, a set of barristers chambers that specializes in commercial and public law and financial services, Premier Alden McLaughlin described in detail how the economic development of the Cayman Islands “is rooted in constitutional foundations.”
Health Law amendments intend to close insurance loopholes
Proposed amendments to the Health Insurance Law aim to ensure dental coverage is honored for insurance card holders and to prevent healthcare insurers from denying individual coverage. Speaking before the Legislative Assembly on Feb. 24, Premier Alden McLaughlin said the amendments seek to take immediate action to strengthen comprehensive revisions from 2013.
Premier to update UK on beneficial ownership
Premier Alden McLaughlin is in London this week to meet with leaders of law firms, financial institutions, government departments and U.K. MPs. “This is one more opportunity to tell the good story that is Cayman’s to MPs and Peers,” he said.
Premier says gov’t will change plan on police ‘cautions’
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said his government will change its stance on whether “cautions” issued by police inspectors or the prosecutors office are recorded on a suspect’s permanent record.
Permanent residence: Lives in limbo
A delay of more than three years in processing permanent residence applications has left more than 900 people, plus an unknown number of their dependents, in limbo.
Premier meets with students, ex-governors in London
From left, Minister Wayne Panton, former Governor John Owen, Premier Alden McLaughlin and former Governor Bruce Dinwiddy attend the London office reception Tuesday night. Premier Alden McLaughlin hosted the reception, which included former Cayman Islands governors John Owen and Bruce Dinwiddy.
Premier: UK must ‘moderate’ Brexit impact on territories
The U.K. government must do its best to back financial services industries in its overseas territories, both before and after Brexit talks with the European Union, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Tuesday.
‘Deepening relationship’ between China, Cayman Islands cited
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin met with Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming Monday at the Chinese Embassy in London to discuss a “deepening relationship” between China and the British Overseas Territories.
McLaughlin, Alden
Alden McLaughlin is a Progressives candidate for Red Bay.
EDITORIAL – The immigration announcement that did not happen
As we have stated previously, we believe that the permanent residence issue is a human rights issue and a good governance issue with embarrassing international implications, not to mention considerable financial exposure, for these islands.
Chief justice: ‘Ritch Report’ must remain confidential
Efforts to produce a public copy of a $312,000 immigration consultancy report were halted this week by a decision from Cayman Chief Justice Anthony Smellie. The consultancy review examined various aspects of the Cayman Islands system of granting residency rights to non-Caymanians.
2017 election could eclipse candidate record
Although the total number of candidates who will contest the May 24 vote probably will not be known until nomination day, March 29, it is easily possible that a new record number of political hopefuls could be set.
EDITORIAL – The Progressives’ cruise dock plans: Dead in the water
Last week’s announcement by Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell was, in reality, more of an admission: The Progressives government, led by Premier Alden McLaughlin, has failed to carry out what would have been one of its signature projects, the George Town cruise berthing facility.
Premier back to work
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin returned to office Wednesday after taking more than a week off work on doctor’s orders to recover from surgery. Mr. McLaughlin, 55, had surgery Jan. 9 at the Cayman Islands Hospital to remove a kidney stone.
Next battle brews in lawyers bill debate
Progressives-led administration officials have confirmed the government still intends to bring a revised draft of the Legal Practitioners Bill to the Legislative Assembly at its next meeting.
Premier hospitalized Monday, told to rest
Premier Alden McLaughlin was set to be released from hospital Tuesday following surgery for a kidney stone, the Cayman Islands government confirmed. Mr. McLaughlin, 55, was hospitalized Monday with what were described as severe stomach pains, and doctors later determined an operation was needed.
Premier’s 2017 New Year’s message
As we clear away the torn wrapping paper, take down the decorations and swear to go on a diet after the indulgences of the Christmas season, the start of the New Year provides an opportunity for reflection.
Three defections leave bare bones ruling government
Although the story began to unfold in late 2015, it was not until early 2016 that the full extent of political defections from the ruling Progressives party were realized. As 2015 drew to a close, two Bodden Town MLAs, Anthony Eden and Alva Suckoo, announced they were leaving the government coalition.
EDITORIAL — Year in review
Today we are featuring excerpts from some of the most interesting, compelling and entertaining editorials that have appeared in the Cayman Compass in 2016, on some of the most important issues facing our country.
Christmas Message 2016: From Premier Alden McLaughlin
This is one of my favourite times of year and feelings of generosity, kindness and love that come with this special season are those that I truly wish we could keep all year.
Premier claims release of ‘Ritch Report’ on immigration not in public interest
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin, citing a never-before-used section of the Freedom of Information Law.
