Topic: Politics
Opposition PPM launches ‘listening tour’
A "listening tour" designed to canvass public opinion has been launched by the opposition Progressive People's Movement
PPM wants Sister Islands-style protection for traditional districts
The Opposition People's Progressive Movement has asked for a constitutional amendment to preserve traditional Cayman parliamentary seats, even if there were large scale population changes
2025 Year in Review: Hew’s report card on government
Opposition leader Joey Hew ended the year with swipe at the government over what he said was rushed immigration legislation which would cause problems in the future
Anglin stresses need for ‘strict’ immigration policy
A get tough policy on immigration is vital to protect the future of Caymanians and Caymanian business, the finance minister has warned MPs
Immigration changes could hit Cayman jobs, Hew warns
Stricter immigration rules could lead to job losses in Cayman, Leader of the Opposition Joey Hew has warned.
Anglin pledges bipartisan healthcare-costs probe
A cross-party committee is to be set up to tackle the high cost of health and property insurance, Finance Minister Rolston Anglin has said.
Hew: Government needs to address the high cost-of-living
The cost of living crisis is not being properly tackled by government, opposition leader Joey Hew has said
Office, more staff to boost opposition efficiency
A budget pledge to fund an official opposition leader's office and staff will allow the People's Progressive Movement to work more effectively, party chief Joey Hew has said
Anti-corruption rules need ‘stronger teeth’ says corruption watchdog
Cayman's corruption watchdogs need tougher powers to deter MPs and civil servants from breaching rules, a conference has heard
Election observers call for action to increase number of women in Parliament
Representation of women in Parliament still lags behind, despite Cayman's international commitment to combat gender discrimination.
Ebanks unveils roadmap at rally – and signals group’s new name
Soon-to-be premier André Ebanks said his first priority is to get "a handle on the country's finances" so his new NCFC government can prepare for its first budget.
Cayman Islands National Party holds first rally
At its first official party rally, the Cayman Islands National Party delivered what it called 'commitments' rather than 'promises' as its candidates outlined changes to education, transport, development and immigration that they say they plan to make if elected.
PPM pledges modern transport system to keep Cayman on the move
People's Progressive Movement leader Joey Hew on Monday pledged a modern transport network to keep pace with Cayman's growth.
Parties come out punching for general election
In the blue corner, a challenger intent on bobbing and weaving its way to the top, and in the red corner, a veteran battler...
New alliances and rivalries emerge amid departure of political heavyweights
With the departure of some of the faces that defined Cayman politics for the last two decades came clear signals of the shape of things to come.
MP says ‘global reset’ means Cayman must marshal all its resources
Chris Saunders said that using the knowledge of Cayman's diverse populous would help the country find its way through a "global reset".
Dan Scott says its ‘time for change’ as he targets election win with new...
Former EY partner Dan Scott has launched a new political party insisting “Caymanians are crying out for change” and his slate of 11 political newcomers can provide it.
Year in Review: Political problems play out in 2024
As former UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said,"a week is a long time in politics", and here in Cayman that observation played out in real time as the country faced prospects ranging from a government collapse to snap elections in 2024.
General election set for 30 April
A general election has been set for 30 April after Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly announced a Cabinet reshuffle that will allow her diminished administration to function for the next six months.
Timeline of political upheaval
As the leadership of the Cayman Islands hangs in the balance, the Cayman Compass takes a look back at the events that led to this point.
Progressives rally troops as business community urges stability
In the wake of the shock resignations of four government members on Thursday, the opposition Progressives party says it is "carefully considering its options", but "stands ready to provide the leadership the Cayman Islands needs".
Seymour calls claims of UPM infighting ‘political mischief’
Dwayne Seymour labelled claims of infighting within the United People's Movement government as political mischief.
McKeeva Bush kicks off re-election bid with new political organisation
As he prepares to contest his West Bay West seat one last time, former Premier McKeeva Bush has launched a new political organisation that aims to run a slate of candidates at the next general election.
Hew outlines hopes to lead Progressives back to government
In the first kick-off of Cayman's election season Joey Hew made his debut as the newly anointed Progressives Leader on Saturday night vowing to deliver an administration that will offer the unity and stability the country needs.
Year in review: Cayman’s political scene shifts after ‘musical chairs’
Cayman's political landscape was marked by turmoil, twists and tactical manoeuvres in 2023, culminating in the replacement of a sitting premier and a rebranded coalition of independent MPs leading government.
Premier: ‘Unity has to be the operative word’
As she spoke from the Premier's chair for the first time in Parliament Cayman Brac East MP Juliana O'Connor-Connolly sounded that call for legislators to turn over a new page and work together for the good of the country.
Bush: ‘PACT members asked premier to step down’
Former government backbencher McKeeva Bush laid bare the infighting among government members Friday morning, saying it got to a point where the PACT team had asked Premier Wayne Panton to resign and he refused.
No joking matter? Bernie Bush issued written apology over lewd comments
Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Bernie Bush was forced to issue a written apology to a female civil servant over lewd comments he made to her, leaving the women shocked and upset.
Seymour: ‘Panton should step down’
Bodden Town East MP Dwayne Seymour says he believes Premier Wayne Panton has reached the point where he should step down for the good of the Cayman Islands.
Premier says he asked Saunders to step down
Premier Wayne Panton, near one week after the exit of his former deputy, took to government radio on Monday to address the situation saying MP Chris Saunders was offered a chance to resign before having his appointment revoked.
Year in Review: Bush under fire: Political, legal woes follow veteran leader
2022 started off relatively quiet politically for West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush, but that was by no means an indication of what to come for the veteran lawmaker.
Year in review: Twists, U-turns shape Cayman politics in 2021
A tumultuous year in Cayman politics saw a changing of the guard, as Wayne Panton assembled a team of independent legislators to lead the country in the wake of a closely-contested general election.
Opposition hits back at criticism over assent of Civil Partnership Law
Cayman's official Opposition has described the assenting of the Civil Partnership Law Friday as a "sad day" for the country as its Leader Arden McLean called on Premier Alden McLaughlin to end what he called "the blame game".
Will: Book underlines axiom that if you want peace, prepare for war
Today’s U.S. ships are more capable than ever, but too few for comfort, as Lehman’s readers will realize when they consider what only the Navy can do.
Will: After nixing the Iran nuclear deal, is containment our only option?
It is a law of arms control: Significant agreements are impossible until they are unimportant, which means until they are not significant.
Rahn: Abolishing campaign contribution limits
Any determined person can legally get around the campaign finance restrictions with the aid of a smart lawyer.
EDITORIAL – UK wins ‘war’ against EU … then surrenders
Perhaps half-hearted Brexit officials secretly hope, if they manage to bungle the negotiations sufficiently, that the people of the U.K. will change their minds about leaving the EU.
Morici: Don’t muzzle social media sites to prevent abuse
Rob Goldman, Twitter’s head of advertising, was roundly criticized for stating the easiest way to fight a Russian campaign is a “well educated citizenry,” but he is right.
Noriega: Castro’s survival plan may be crumbling
Today, only a few U.S. diplomats remain in Havana after suspicious “health attacks” did physical damage to two-dozen Americans – likely with the complicity of the regime.
Mitchell: Globalism, good and bad
Globalism (or globalization, or internationalism, or the policies of “Davos Man,,” or whatever you want to call it) increasingly is perceived to be about more than free trade and comity between nations. In the minds of market-oriented people, it is getting linked with other policies that cause considerable angst.
Morici: Why muzzling social media is no answer
Requiring social media organizations to work with federal authorities to ferret out Russian operatives and similar malefactors and cancel fictitious accounts is fine, but personalities should not be banned because they upset our biases.
Dreyfuss: Oxfam scandal just the latest in a string of insults
Large charitable organizations, such as Oxfam, and UN military missions operate in a bubble of private security, sense of immunity and deference from their grateful hosts.
EDITORIAL – ‘Brexit’ and ‘blacklist’: Cayman stuck between the UK and the EU?
The “real victims” of divorce are often the children. We hope that doesn’t hold true for “colonial children,” including the Cayman Islands, in the context of England’s protracted separation from the European Union, known commonly as “Brexit.”
Mitchell: A Libertarian paradise in Mexico
In an ideal world, the central government would allow towns to formally secede, and those towns could then contract to have private management. But that will never happen since politicians would not want real-world examples showing the superiority of markets over government.
Letter: Thoughts for members of our Legislative Assembly
Our MLAs need to listen to the people and adhere to their wishes. A petition should never be necessary. They are supposed to be working for us; we are their employers!
EDITORIAL – One EU ‘blacklist’ and 47 shades of gray
There’s good news, there’s bad news and then there’s … gray news. Developments out of Brussels this week fell in the last category, as the European Union placed the Cayman Islands on a so-called “graylist” — meaning our government has made certain commitments in writing to address EU criteria on tax transparency and “fairness."
Morici: Treating US Congress as a harbinger of recession
These days, politics poses more threats to the economy than the machinations of the bond market as measured by the slope of the yield curve or any other metric.
Responding to the crisis in Honduras
A week after voting in a bitterly contested presidential election, Hondurans still do not know who their next president will be.
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.
BREAKING: PPM-CDP coalition forms … again
It’s Premier Alden McLaughlin and Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush … again.
No liquor
Today's editorial cartoon
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.
Lost
Today's editorial cartoon
Progressives founder Kurt Tibbetts quits politics
Premier Alden McLaughlin confirmed that Mr. Tibbetts will not seek re-election in the upcoming May 24 vote.
Post: A cult of personality dashes Turkey’s democratic dreams
Little more than a decade ago, Turkey appeared to be an emerging democracy with vibrant civil society and somewhat independent media. No longer. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has abandoned democracy and is building a strongman cult of personality.
Singh: A Labour Party split is electoral suicide
Labour has been here before. In 1981 [...] a group of moderates broke away to form the Social Democratic Party. The adventure ended in failure, and the 1983 election saw Margaret Thatcher lead the Conservatives to their most decisive postwar victory.
EDITORIAL – Cayman Islands: The view from the sunny side
There are far, far more good things going on in Cayman than bad. Our society is on a solid footing. Our economy is strong. Our future is bright.
Lindsay: Gay marriage debate – policy, or politics?
A heated discussion on same-sex marriage is guaranteed to draw attention away from unemployment, failed government policies, the ever-increasing welfare state, etc.
EDITORIAL – The news media’s unhealthy dependence on political polling
The Cayman Islands traditionally has been a political polling-free zone, but the serpent may be about to enter the garden.
EDITORIAL – When truth becomes a casualty of politics
On a dark January night, an unmarked cargo plane filled with $400 million in unmarked bills took off for a secret destination, which we now know was Mehrabad Airport in Iran’s capital city of Tehran.
EDITORIAL – George Town Landfill: Another report … another editorial
We don’t want another report. We want a new landfill.
EDITORIAL – ‘Let’s vote on it …’ No, let’s not!
The Brexit decision should have been made by the U.K.’s elected representatives, not by individual voters in polling booths throughout the nation.
Brexit response not robust enough
The government must take this issue of the U.K.’s exit from the EU as a very serious matter ….
EDITORIAL – The necessary wall between MLAs and civil servants
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson etched a definitive and necessary line in the floor of the House, demarcating where the remit of lawmakers ends — and where the apolitical civil service begins.
EDITORIAL – On the landfill: No plan, no timetable – and no money
There it is, at last, the white flag of surrender. The treacherous Mount Trashmore has claimed victory over yet another Cayman Islands government administration.
Baines departs citing political interference
Former police commissioner David Baines left the Cayman Islands this week insisting he was the victim of a baseless, politically motivated smear campaign.
No politics in this yard
A sign at this home off John McLean Drive in East End is making the occupants’ stance clear on discussing politics in their front yard.
Kine: Justice by assassination
“If I make it to the presidential palace,” [Duterte] said, “I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, holdup men, and do-nothings, you better get out because I’ll kill you.”
