* See also C4C announcement at end of Editorial

Now that the dust has settled on the Coalition4Cayman (C4C) inaugural meeting last month (Nov 19) that pushed all the right buttons the people behind this masterful stroke have not capitalized on it.

In fact the secrecy that has surrounded the C4C has sparked a number of letters and blogs to the press and not all flattering.

If one discards the hardcore United Democratic Party (UDP) and their counterpart the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) supporters rhetoric there are some meatier words posted on the Internet.

One that caught my eye was one that actually stated as “facts” the words of warning I had been told by one of Cayman’s ex-politicians only the other day. He also was agreeing with my “take” on the C4C and their immediate sleep mode.

One of the slightly disturbing “facts” that has emerged about the C4C is their non party and complete Independent stance may not be all that it seems. I purposely added the quotes to the word FACTS as none of what I am going to say has been confirmed nor denied by the undisclosed leadership of the C4C.

What is fact is that there has been no official statement from the C4C as to who are actually the leaders. All we have is a number of “spokespersons” that actually don’t tell you anything much except we “need a change from the party system that is ruining the Cayman Islands”. “It is time to go back to the Independents.”

I asked immediately after the C4C meeting how independent is the C4C independents? My answer was go to their website which says, ““put country first ahead of party or reasons of self-interest when implementing policy.”

That didn’t actually answer my question. At the meeting they said “they [C4C] will not be directly fielding candidates but will endorse those they believe are independent thinkers.”

The words of warning is that individuals approached by the C4C have been promised more than just an endorsement; individuals have been promised financing, campaign support, access to political strategists and marketers among other things.

Of course, if the persons behind the C4C are giving of their funds, and they all must be well off to be able to provide this, for no other reason than that they believe these candidates are the very best persons for this country and the only persons who can represent us, I don’t have a problem.

However, I do have a problem. I don’t know who the C4C financiers are. I am suspicious and so should you be.

What the C4C is actually doing is operating exactly as a party and if they give you a nice big fat cheque there is always, and I do mean ALWAYS, that person expects YOU the receiver, to be carrying out policies HE/SHE approves of.

When the party you have joined and represent pay for financing, campaign support, access to political strategists and marketers you follow the party line. If you don’t, you leave.

And when there is so much secrecy weeks later from that inaugural meeting and because of this secrecy these “factual rumours” are emerging, the whole C4C is going down the slippery slope of “not being open”.

Another rumour gaining support is that some of the C4C backers are actually so called “disillusioned” UDP members.

That makes me even more concerned…….

The C4C are going to hurt the PPM party’s chances of getting back into power at the next election far more than the UDP.

Doesn’t that give you more food for thought?

*NOTE: Since I wrote this Editorial earlier today we have just received the following from the C4C that announces the Executive Committee. It does not affect the majority of my Editorial but does give some “light” on some of the individuals. I thank them for that.

COALITION FOR CAYMAN ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

George Town, Grand Cayman – December 4, 2012 Coalition for Cayman, a public awareness and advocacy group, today announced the group’s Executive Committee.

The Coalition for Cayman Executive Committee includes: James Bergstrom (Co-Chair), Jude Scott (Co-Chair), Kris Bergstrom, Clarence Bothwell, JC Calhoun, Jacqueline Haynes, Randy Merren, Johann Moxam, Gary Rutty and Emmiel Scott.

The Executive Committee will be responsible for setting and managing the organizational structure of Coalition for Cayman, and also for creating bylaws that will protect the purpose and integrity of the group. Already, the Executive Committee has announced the following bylaws:

• No individual who has declared as a political candidate, or is a sitting MLA, or is actively involved in a political campaign to elect a political candidate, may be on the executive committee or serve as the chairperson of a subcommittee or working group.

• Should a member of the executive committee, or a chairperson of a subcommittee or working group declare as a candidate, that person will no longer serve on the Coalition Executive Committee or as a chairperson of a subcommittee or working group, but they may continue to be a member of the Coalition and serve on subcommittees and working groups.

• Political campaign activities will not be permitted at Coalition for Cayman subcommittee or working group meetings. Subcommittee or working group meetings may host candidate forums to discuss issues, but these forums will be organized in advance as such.

“Our purpose is to unite our Country, provide a forum for your voice and ideas to be heard, and to elect independent leaders with integrity who will always put the Country First,” said Jude Scott, Co-Chair of Coalition for Cayman.  “Putting the Country First is best accomplished by engaging all the great and diverse minds in our Country to focus on real solutions and real leadership to get our Country back on a healthy, sustainable course.” Scott continued.

About Coalition for Cayman.  Coalition for Cayman is a public awareness and advocacy group committed to bringing new and accountable leadership to unite the people of the country and restore the Cayman Islands’ reputation while maintaining social balance and sustainable growth.