Party Members Low

Friday, June 18, 2004

With the 2004 General Election less than five months away, total membership in the Cayman Islands’ two political parties, the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), only represents approximately 20 percent of the registered voters.

According to UDP Chairman Billy Reid, his party has about 1,100 members, with some 500 of that number from the District of West Bay.

PPM General Secretary Alden McLaughlin said his party had approximately 1,000 members.

Both Mr Reid and Mr McLaughlin said that their respective parties had not made any concerted efforts to enlist new members.

“We’re not putting a great deal of importance on getting new members at this point,” Mr Reid said. “But as the elections gets nearer, the Party will be out meeting people and signing them up.”

Mr Reid downplayed the significance of party membership. “Just because people sign up, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to vote for you, and the other way around.”

Mr McLaughlin also said that getting new members was not a priority for the PPM at this point. “I am confident that if we tried, we could add another 800 to 1,000 members in short order,” he said.

At the first of April, there were 11,504 registered voters, a number that has risen somewhat with the special registration sessions that have taken place since then. Eligible voters have until midnight on 1 July to register for this November’s elections.

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