MEET THE CANDIDATES VOTEElectors by district 2017 vs. 2021 George Town East 1,2671,3758.5 Prospect1,1751,2758.5 West Bay South1,3401,4528.4 George Town North 1,1551,2508.2 Red Bay1,1751,2597.1 North Side7167626.4 Newlands 1,2561,3295.8 West Bay North1,1231,1875.7 George Town South1,2091,2634.5 Bodden Town West 1,4411,5014.2 Bodden Town East1,5131,5734 George Town West1,2271,2733.7 Savannah 1,3361,3813.4 East End6927153.3 George Town Central1,2571,2932.9 West Bay Central1,0571,0721.4 West Bay West1,2251,2401.2 Brac West/Little Cayman578576-.3 Cayman Brac East484465-3.9 2 Election by the numbers 3 How did we get here? 4-5 Elections history 6-7 Alliances begin to form 8-9 Candidates Map 10 District breakdown: Bodden Town East, Bodden Town West, Cayman Brac East, Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman 11 East End, George Town Central, George Town East, George Town North, 12 George Town West, George Town South Newlands, North Side 13 Prospect, Red Bay 14 Savannah, West Bay Central, West Bay North, West Bay South 15 West Bay West CONTENTS Election by the numbers Electoral district with most voters 24 years old and younger (108) Electoral district with the most voters 75 years old and older (171) by the numbers 51 Average age of electors 22,241 Total number of electors 54 % Percentage of electors that are female Female electorsMale electors 6.33.1 11,97110,270 20172017 20212021 %+/-%+/- 11,2609,966 Electorate 2017 vs. 2021 NUMBER OF ELECTORS 4.822,24121,226 20172021%+/- PAGE Bodden Town East West Bay South CONSTITUENCY20172021%+/ V CONSTITUENCY20172021%+/ V 2 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 MEET THE CANDIDATESOn many fronts, the 2021 General Election will be unique STAFF T he 2021 Cayman Islands general election is one unlike any other in the history of the islands. It’s the first time the jurisdiction is poised to host early elections and the first time Cayman’s electorate will vote in Members of Parliament. So, how did this all come about? The snap election call stems from an incident involving Parliament’s previous house speaker, McKeeva Bush, who was found guilty late last year of three counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. This was following an incident in February of 2020 involving a female member of staff at a West Bay Road bar and restaurant. With mounting public pressure to remove Bush from the position following his convictions, Alden McLaughlin called for the early elections and subsequent dissolution of government. Governor Martyn Roper, following consultation with McLaughlin, announced on 10 Feb. the decision to dissolve Parliament, triggering early elections and angering opposition members who say the premier’s request to do so was politically motivated. McLaughlin, in a statement following the governor’s announcement, said, “After careful consideration, I have therefore determined that it is in the best interest of the country for Parliament to be dissolved immediately, which will have the effect of vacating the seat of the Speaker.” He added, by doing this, “Mr. Bush will no longer be the Speaker of the House and the country, by way of earlier elections, will determine who they wish to serve as their representatives – this includes the voters of West Bay West deciding whether they wish Mr. Bush to be re-elected to Parliament.” His opponents, however, disagreed with the move. Hours after McLaughlin called for early elections, former Opposition Leader and East End MP Arden McLean came out fighting during the Cayman Compass’s 'The Resh Hour' programme. McLean took aim at McLaughlin for his decision to dissolve Parliament, calling his actions “disgusting”. McLean accused the premier of punishing the people he purports to represent, questioning why McLaughlin has put the onus on the electorate to vote out the Speaker rather than taking action to remove Bush himself. He added the early elections had rendered his call for a no confidence motion in Bush effectively a moot point. McLean also questioned whether the governor should have acquiesced to the premier’s request to call early elections. Section 84(2) of the Cayman Islands Constitution says, “the Governor, acting after consultation with the Premier, may at any time, by proclamation, dissolve the [Parliament]”. Governor Martyn Roper took to social media to defend his decision. Responding to multiple comments criticising the move, Roper said he sought legal advice and the only option was to accept the request. “This is a matter for elected politicians,” Roper said. “Only in very exceptional circumstances, which do not exist, could I have refused the request.” THE DEADLINE FOR POSTAL BALLOT AND MOBILE VOTING APPLICATIONS IS 6 April HOW TO APPLY FOR POSTAL BALLOTS You can request an overseas postal ballot if you are a registered voter who is living off-island, such as students and persons away for medical care. You can request a locally delivered postal ballot if you are a registered voter living in the Cayman Islands, but will be away from the islands on Election Day. Those wishing to apply for postal ballots are required to provide the following information to the Elections Office: • Completed Form B (available at elections.ky or at the Elections Office). • Photo identification (e.g. voter ID card or passport). RESIDENT IN THE ISLANDS, BUT WILL BE AWAY FOR ELECTION DAY: • A copy of purchased airline tickets showing the individual will be travelling or off-island on Election Day. (Please note, only purchased tickets will be accepted. Reservations that have not been paid for in full do not qualify.) • A clearly printed local street address for ballots to be delivered locally. IF CURRENTLY AWAY AND WILL BE AWAY FOR ELECTION DAY: • A clearly printed full overseas street address to which the postal ballot can be couriered. • A completed Postal Ballot Request form (Form B), along with supporting documents, emailed to office@elections. ky or dropped off at the Elections Office. HOW TO APPLY FOR MOBILE VOTING If you are a registered voter on the Official Register of Electors and are unable or unlikely to be able to go in person to the polling station, you can request mobile voting. Note - postal ballots are not permitted for persons who will be physically in the Cayman Islands on Election Day. In cases where the Registering Officer approves mobile voting, Elections Office mobile teams – consisting of a presiding officer, poll clerk, logistic officers, police officer and appointed observers – will visit those persons during the weeks before the Election Day to allow them to vote at their requested location within the Cayman Islands. Voters wishing to apply for mobile voting are required to provide the following information to the Elections Office: • Completed Form C (available at elections.ky or at the Elections Office), setting out the reasons mobile voting is being requested. • Photo identification (e.g. voter ID card or passport). All forms are available online at elections.ky or can be picked up at the Elections Office, located at 68 West Bay Road, Bay Town Office Suites, George Town, Grand Cayman. Completed forms may be emailed to office@elections.ky or dropped off in person to the Elections Office. HOW DID WE GET HERE? Historic elections set for the Cayman Islands Postal ballot and mobile voting applications are now being accepted by the Elections Office Bush arrested/ takes leave of absence Bush returns to Speaker’s chair Bush sentenced for 3 counts of common assault, 1 count of disorderly conduct Alden McLaughlin says gov’t unlikely to take action against Bush Miller urges gov’t to remove Bush East End representative Arden McLean calls on premier to remove Bush No confidence motion filed against Bush Early elections called Gov’t won’t hear no- confidence motion against Bush on grounds of sub judice FEBMAYOCTDECJANDECJANDECFEB 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 2020 2020 2021 McKeeva Bush and Alden McLaughlin celebrate the official renaming of Cayman’s legislature as Parliament in December 2020, two months before the triggering of early elections. FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 3 MEET THE CANDIDATESA ccording to our records, the first formal type of elected Government was first introduced in December 1831. However, prior to this the Islands were administered by a number of Magistrates and Senior Magistrates, and some times even by a Custos, appointed by the Governor of Jamaica. This system of Government worked well while the population remained relatively small but as the population increased a number of problems were experienced because of weaknesses in the system. The first Magistrates ruled with some references to Jamaican Law. In 1802, as Edward Corbet had noted in his Report,”The Magistrates are understood to have the same power as those in this island [Jamaica], but when any new measure is to be adopted it is generally submitted by them to the consideration of the population at large.” This seemed to have been a very democratic manner of dealing with affairs of state, but not everyone was pleased as this led to some confusion and conflict. By at least 1823, the Chief Magistrate, James Coe Sr., and the other “Magistrates and principal inhabitants” of Grand Cayman apparently felt they needed a more formal system of lawmaking and set of laws. Accordingly, they asked for and got commissions for several more Magistrates from Governor Lord Manchester. Then on 13 December 1823, the Magistrates and “principal inhabitants” held a meeting at William Eden’s residence at Pedro St. James. Their first decision was to lease the Pedro property from William Eden for £5. 6s. 8d a year. It would be used as an animal pound, court- house, and jail, with a daily payment of 2s.11d authorized whenever there was a prisoner. Other laws were passed at this time, which dealt with roaming livestock, duties on dry goods, provisions, liquor, or any kind of merchandise sold by any non-inhabitant. Another law, which prohibited the sale of liquors, wines, by any slave, was also passed at this time. Pedro St. James continued to be the seat of Government, with regular meeting held at this location. On 5th December 1831 a meeting was held at Pedro St. James to form a proper legislative assembly with representatives and Magistrates from each district appointed, forming as it were two houses in imitation of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica. On 10th December 1831, two representatives of each were “elected” for the districts of West Bay, George Town, South West Sound, Prospect, and Bodden Town. The method of election is not known. These 10 representatives, later referred to as the Vestry, assembled for the first time on 31December 1831 in George Town, and met again on 2 January 1832. The eight Magistrates met at the same time but in a different room, carefully preserving the classic British form of a bicameral legislature. No law was “deemed valid” until it had received the assent of both houses. 1948 An Election was held in August 1948 wich was noteworthy. Polling was held in the different districts. The first Poll was held in George Town on the 10th August which ended in a tie between two candidates, H. M. Coe and another candidate, which made it impossible to declare five candidates for George Town. This resulted in a By-Election for George Town, ordered for 14 Aug. The By-Election, however, ended in a tie again between H. M. Coe and A. Berkley Bush resulting in another By-Election being ordered for the 19th August. At this point Mr. H. M. Coe wrote a strong letter to the Commissioner expressing his feelings that it seemed impossible to have three elections with two candidates tied three times. He suggested the possibility of tampering, and called for an investigation. The new By-Election was held on the 19th August, this time with definitive results. Also during the 1948 Elections, a letter was received by the Commissioner from a group of women in George Town, expressing their right to vote and run for Election. Up until this time, women did not vote though there seemed to have been no law prohibiting women from voting. The matter was raised again in 1956 and finally was settled in 1959 when women got the right to vote and run for office. 1959 In 1959 the Cayman Islands were granted their first Constitution and Universal Sufferage, the Assembly changed from the Assembly of Vestry to the Legislative Assembly and 12 members were elected, there were also three Official Members, and three Nominated Members. A history of elections in the Cayman Islands … The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for the Cayman Islands under the new Constitution provided for by Order made by Her Majesty the Queen in Council on the 13th of May, 1959 … You have today a Legislative Assembly to which twelve members have been elected for the first time on the basis of universal adult sufferage.” - Address by His Excellency the Governor to Legislative Assembly for the Cayman Islands. Cayman is set to embark on a historically significant general election in 2021. It marks the first time in the jurisdiction’s history that an early election has been called. It also will mark the first time Cayman votes for Members of Parliament. But before we look too far ahead to 14 April, let’s take a look back at Cayman’s democratic history with this piece researched at the National Archives and published by the Elections Office. MAGISTRATES John Drayton Robert Stephen Watler Waide W. Bodden John S. Jackson James Coe Jr. Abraham O Feurtado Elin J. Parsons Nathaniel Glover VESTRYMEN George W. Wood James Wood James Coe Snr. W. Eden Jr. John Goodhew James Parsons Snr. William James Bodden Howard Lindsay Thompson Samuel Parsons William Bodden The names of the Magistrates & Representatives at the 1832 meeting were: 4 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 MEET THE CANDIDATESAn excerpt from a speech made by His Excellency the Governor on 2 Oct. 1959 from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom: “ … The first meeting of the Legislative Assembly for the Cayman Islands under the new Constitution provided for by Order made by Her Majesty the Queen in Council on the 13th of May, 1959 … You have today a Legislative Assembly to which twelve members have been elected for the first time on the basis of universal adult sufferage.” The 1959 Elections was a turning point for the democratic process in the Cayman Islands as the women finally had a voice and were able to run for Elections, and hold Office. This move came at a pivotal time in the Islands development, as a large percentage of the men were away at sea and were not available to fill many key posts. During the early 1960s a move to establish a West Indies Federation of the British Colonies in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands took a stand against joining the Federation which would have led to political changes for the Cayman Islands. This controversy lasted almost two years and ended with the Federation being scrapped, Jamaica moving into independence, and the Cayman Islands reverting to full colony status. 1972 The next change to the Constitution came in 1972 as a result of select committees appointed by the Legislative assembly in 1966, 67, and 69 but nothing was achieved until 1972. In June 1970, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith was appointed by the Commonwealth Office to examine the situation and make recommendations. He arrived in Jan. the next year and met with the people in the Cayman Islands. It was soon realized that the people wanted very little changes and certainly no significant constitutional advancements. In the end, the new constitution came into force on 22nd August, 1972. It made some significant changes but stopped short of full self government. One of the changes introduced a “Member” and “Portfolio” system of governing for the first time instead of a full Ministerial Government. The 1972 Constitution established the qualifications for being a “Caymanian” and the criteria for voting and running for Political Office. 1823 William Eden’s residence at Pedro St. James becomes government seat 1831 First formal type of elected government 1959 Women get the right to vote and run for office 1972 New constitution introduced KEY DATES A group of women in George Town in 1948 wrote a letter to the commissioner expressing their desire to vote and run for Election. FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 5 MEET THE CANDIDATESMcTaggart takes over as Progressives leader George Town East incumbent Roy McTaggart was formally introduced as the new leader of The Progressives party during a campaign launch on 13 March. At the start of the gathering, host and Prospect candidate Austin Harris introduced the Progressives’ new leader, who was elected to the position at the party’s conference the night before. Also at that conference, held at the Kimpton Seafire hotel on Friday, Joey Hew was elected as deputy leader and McLaughlin was named as the new party chairman. McTaggart, who will be premier if The Progressives and Independents Alliance wins a majority in the election, took to the podium to the pounding beat of Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’. He told the crowd that the alliance’s main aim in its manifesto, which he said would be published later this month, was to “keep the people safe, first and foremost”. He said the Progressives alliance was the only group running for election “with any significant track record”. McLean won’t work with Bush While The Progressives and their Alliance allies were touting their unity, Opposition Leader Arden McLean spent time in early March distancing himself from Speaker McKeeva Bush. “The rule of law must be upheld by all of us, whether you are a member of parliament or not,” said McLean. “You are held at a higher standard when you are a member of parliament, and I am not going to support people who continually, continually, encroach on the laws and are members of Parliament.” McLean made the statements while responding to a viewer submitted question during a Cayman Crosstalk District Debate on 9 March. Bush was convicted in December of assaulting a female staff member, during an altercation at a West Bay Road bar in February 2019. Bush had initially denied remembering the incident, however he later stated that the incident stemmed from a disagreement over gratuities for staff members. In January, McLean expressed a desire to move a motion of no confidence that would remove Bush from his role as Speaker. However, this motion was never heard. Instead, the unity government – of which Bush was a part – requested the early dissolution of parliament and triggered an early election. McLean also said while he gets along with some members of the Progressives, he would not be willing work with the party’s former leader, Alden McLaughlin. In the 2009 general election, both men secured their seats as members of the PPM (the People’s Progressive Movement which later became known as the Progressives). However, McLean later left the party and ran as an independent candidate in 2013. Candidates quizzed on Bush Viewers have consistently submitted questions to candidates on the Cayman Crosstalk District Debates asking whether they would work with or form a government with Bush. West Bay Central candidate Katherine Ebanks-Wilks was quick to point out that the constitution does not prevent everyone with a criminal record from contesting elections and said she wants to see that changed before turning her attention to Bush. “If the people vote for someone who has been convicted of a criminal offence and that person is elected, I will not refuse to work with that person. We’re talking about Mr. Bush right now, but it could be anybody. Until the constitution is changed, that’s something that everyone is subject to when we come down to election period.” North Side candidate Ezzard Miller, of the Cayman Islands People’s Party, was a bit more brief with his answer. “No,” Miller bellowed during the 8 March North Side debate. His opponent, Jay Ebanks, said he was willing to work with Mr. Bush. “If the people of West Bay elect McKeeva Bush back into power and he’s there and he’s part of the government, I’m not gonna be like you and sit down in southeast corner and not work with him.” Another question that candidates have had to answer is whether they’d work with The Progressives should the party’s members and their allied candidates be able to form a government. “Most of the independent candidates that are running, I’ve been listening to them, I like what they’re saying,” Ebanks- Wilks said. “Most of them want to break the status quo and I’m willing to work On the campaign trail: Wheelings, dealings and trends from the first few weeks of the campaign 106 Education 20% 64 Environment 12% 20 Housing 4% 45 Infrastructure 8% 82 Tourism 15% 35 Waste management 7% 55 Other 10% Jobs 33 6% Economy 91 17% What is the most pressing issue you'd like to see addressed in the 2021 general election? - According to Cayman Compass audience poll 6 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 MEET THE CANDIDATESwith anyone. I’m not going to segregate anybody out there. “What I’m not willing to do, I’m not willing to work with a government that wants to keep things the way that they are right now.” Suckoo leaves Opposition Newlands candidate and former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Alva Suckoo has joined the Progressive's alliance team, bringing to 12 the number of nominees running as part of the group in the 14 April general election. Suckoo announced he was joining the group at the alliance’s campaign launch and made a surprise appearance on stage about an hour after the rally at the AL Thompson’s car park had gotten under way. Suckoo was previously a member of the Progressives, before resigning from the party and joining the opposition in the Legislative Assembly in 2015 during a debate over same-sex marriage rights. The Newlands incumbent told the crowd assembled at the rally, “Why did I choose this alliance? You just have to look around. I don’t see many masks right now. This government has steered this country through the pandemic, it has protected our financial standing, it has protected our economy, kept our people safe, and saved lives.” McLaughlin, speaking at the rally, described Suckoo as “the prodigal son” and he welcomed him home, before appealing to other candidates to also “come home” and join the alliance. He did not name specific individuals, but there are a number of former Progressives members running as independent candidates, including Wayne Panton, Heather Bodden and Osbourne Bodden. Independent alliances beginning to appear It’s beginning to become clear the feelings of some candidates on whom they’d prefer to work with as several of them have made public appearances together or made statements publicily supporting one another. George Town North independent candidate Johann Moxam in early March appeared and spoke at a campaign rally event for Red Bay independent candidate Sammy Jackson. Also present at the rally was Bodden Town West independent candidate Chris Saunders. Moxam spoke at another of Jackson’s events later in the month, as did George Town East independent candidate Emily DeCou, and he’s also posed in photos with George Town South independent candidate Alric Lindsay. In West Bay, three former United Democratic Party stalwarts are joining forces once again. West Bay North candidate Rolston Anglin has appeared at rallies alongside West Bay Central candidate Eugene Ebanks and Bush, who is running in the West Bay West constitutency. Further east, former PPM member Wayne Panton, who is running in the Newlands electoral district, has aligned himself with fellow former PPM member Osbourne Bodden, who is running in Bodden Town East. They also have formed an alliance with Savannah candidate Heather Bodden. for more information: www.vote4community.ky | HeatherBoddenSavannah THE ELDERLY POPULATION •Provide resources that ensure our elderly population have access to activities that engage their minds and bodies •Improve their healthcare options and coverage as a priority •Introduce a bus service in every community specifically for the elderly to take them to medical appointments and other locations such as grocery stores and pharmacies FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT More than half of our population are women. Yet women are under-represented in every area of our community and Government. In addition, there are fewer female election candidates in 2021 than in 2017. This is a step backwards. Women have a unique perspective on every issue that needs to be heard and considered in every decision made by the Government which impacts all of our lives. PLANS FOR THE SAVANNAH COMMUNITY •Create tougher litter laws which lead to healthier communities •Remove the non-regulated dumping grounds and derelict vehicles which will instil community pride and increase property value •Increase neighbourhood crime watch areas and heighten police presence in communities •Ensure our youth have access to positive, appropriate programmes offered through schools, extra-curricular and organised sports activities and various charitable organisations and activities that will support them in their teen years ROAD SAFETY Lives are being lost all too often because of speeding and dangerous driving. It takes education backed by laws and the support of the community all coming together to fight this battle. This is something I will make a priority as an elected member of parliament. I work diligently with the police already and as an official representative I will make sure everything possible is done to save lives on our roads. SAVANNAH BODDEN, HEATHER VOTE Community Community CreatesCreates CountryCountry “My parents always told me: ‘be honest, work hard and do good while you can’. This is what has guided my life. I have always had a passion for community service and being the elected member for Savannah will allow me the opportunity to do the most good for my people, and by extension, my country. My life is committed to helping others”. Indpendent candidates have been appearing publicly together. FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 7 MEET THE CANDIDATESOur 50 candidates West Bay West George Town North George Town West George Town South George Town East George Town Central Red Bay Prospect Newlands Savannah Bodden Town West West Bay South West Bay North West Bay Central Sammy Jackson Alden McLaughlin Alva Suckoo Wayne Panton Roydell Carter Raul Gonzalez Malcolm Eden Heather Bodden Jeanna Williams McKeeva Bush Mario Ebanks Capt. Eugene Ebanks Katherine Ebanks-Wilks Austin Harris Michael Myles Sabrina Turner Kenneth Bryan Frank Cornwall Joseph Hew Alric Lindsay Barbara Conolly Roy McTaggart Emily DeCou Frank McField Christina Hislop Rowlandson Richard Bernard David Wight Kenrick Webster Pearlina McGaw- Lumsden Ellio Solomon Rolston Anglin Bernie Bush Johann Moxam André Ebanks Raul Nicholson-Coe 8 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 MEET THE CANDIDATESandidates Bodden Town East North Side East End Dwayne Seymour Osbourne Bodden Cayman Brac East Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman Juliana O’Connor- Connolly Elvis McKeever Moses Kirkconnell Maxine McCoy-Moore Ezzard Miller Justin Ebanks Debra Broderick Johany Ebanks McCleary Frederick Isaac Rankine Arden McLean Vincent Frederick Christopher Saunders FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 9 MEET THE CANDIDATESNext >