With so many voter candidate options and the seemingly wave of opinion opting towards change, the Cayman voters are in a dilemma.

The People’s Progressive Party Movement’s (PPM/Progressives) leader Alden McLaughlin pointed this out at the Party’s rally last Thursday night (18) even if he didn’t use my word – ‘dilemma’.

McLaughlin said that with 56 candidates, 21 of whom were in George Town, he understood the confusion among the electorate.

He warned that electing independents was no guarantee of a coalition but was more likely to guarantee a return to office of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

“Any independent who found him or herself in the Legislative Assembly on 23 May would need to make a deal with nine other people in order to get into government,” he said.

He is right and that is the dilemma.

The party system has taken the huge hit as the reason for the Cayman Islands present woes. The PPM was poor and a huge disappointment in 2005/2009 and the UDP have been a major disaster when they took over leading to our present situation.

The Coalition 4 Cayman (C4C) came on the scene last year bearing gifts and promising a new or old Cayman, depending upon how you took their claim that voting independent was the way forward by going backwards.

The fact that they (C4C) endorse candidates who are independent but dependent on some ‘faceless’ individuals behind the C4C have made many of us believe they cannot actually be independent to the true meaning of ‘independent’.

The definition of ‘independent’ is:

1. not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker.

2. not subject to another’s authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free: an independent businessman.

3. not influenced by the thought or action of others: independent research.

4. not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.

5. not relying on another or others for aid or support.

By the very fact these independents BELONG to a coalition of endorsement makes them not fulfill even one of the above independent definitions.

The C4C independents have also claimed they will work with ANYONE.

Then they talk of ‘putting country first’, accountable leadership, and a whole host of other ideals – none of which are any different to the two political party’s claims.

The dilemma with the voter who wants change is no C4C independent has stated he or she will NOT work with the UDP.

Then last we have the ‘true’ independents. I even question that.

Most have close and/or past links with both of the two parties who haven’t endorsed them.

So, if the Cayman voter wants a change from the party system will they get one? There are still the party faithful’s and what ever one may think of McKeeva Bush he still has a VERY faithful following – smaller than it was but with a strong anti UK biasness also attached to it.

I fear there will be no clear winner in this race and much horse-trading will be done that will involve both parties.

Then we will see who exactly puts country first and political ambitions second.

Personally, I feel the PPM’s best chance is not to keep attacking the C4C but to admit they made mistakes the last time round and they have learnt from them. Most people believe someone deserves a second chance and are often stronger for it.

If they don’t thump that message out but continue, as they are, anyone who wants a change from the last 4 years could be in for a nasty shock.

At present, this leaves the Cayman voter with a giant dilemma.