A poll of Compass readers found that more than two-thirds have no confidence in the new United People’s Movement’s ability to address Cayman’s challenges.
Reasons range from a perceived lack of integrity, inability to get results, disloyalty, diverse agendas, and limited change in legislators from the last government.
Former Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly was sworn in as leader of the Cayman Islands government on 15 Nov. with André Ebanks appointed her deputy.
The move came a day after an Opposition-led vote of no confidence in Parliament resulted in former Premier Wayne Panton resigning from his post, despite the motion failing.
A reshuffle of positions on the government benches saw the new administration ditch its former PACT title and take on the name of the UPM.
At the time, O’Connor-Connolly said: “The UPM is determined to be innovative and to accelerate the delivery of results for the people of the Cayman Islands.”
The 17 Nov. Compass poll, while non-scientific, asked readers for their views on the new government and its perceived level of competency. As of Tuesday, 28 Nov., 781 people had responded.
Of those who participated, 78% were Caymanian, 12% permanent residents, 7% expats and 3% non-residents.
Confidence in UPM
The Compass asked readers if they are confident that the United People’s Movement will address the challenges facing Cayman.
A huge 68% said no, while only 8% said yes and 24% were unsure.
“They lack education, integrity, honesty and any ability to get results. Totally, totally unsuited to offer any advice at the level required,” a ‘no’ voter wrote.
“How can they possibly be serious about the challenges facing Cayman when they cannot manage themselves in any capacity? Sad!”
Another said the change of name from PACT to UPM is “pretentious and entirely unnecessary”.
“The players are the same and changing the name in the middle of their term simply made no sense.”
A ‘yes’ voter said: “My thoughts of new government is that I hope [it can] lead the Cayman Islands very well in these uncertain times that we [are] living in.”
Participants were also asked if they were optimistic about the future of Cayman under the UPM leadership.
Nearly two-thirds said they were either very pessimistic (40%) or somewhat pessimistic (23%).
One ‘somewhat pessimistic’ respondent wrote they hoped the new government would “finally, and after so long, come together” to tackle Cayman’s “most pressing issues”.
Another wrote: “With the ditching of Wayne Panton nothing has really changed within the new grouping. Disparate agendas and disloyalty are still the order of the day.”
Nearly a quarter, or 24%, of readers said they were neutral, 9% somewhat optimistic and only 4% very optimistic.
One neutral contributor said: “It is too soon to tell. The dynamics within the new team [have] yet to be settled.
“Ultimately, we have a situation where the cards were shuffled but no new cards are in the deck.”
Meanwhile, a ‘very optimistic’ contributor said: “The level of transparency that our new premier shared on the Radio Cayman talk show provided some comfort.
“When it matters, the members of the PACT rank can come together, including our past premier.”
Another wrote: “This government has showed maturity and represents stability and love of the Cayman Islands and its people.”
Early election call
When asked if they would have preferred an early election call, the majority of poll participants said yes at 68%, while 24% said no and the remaining 12% said they were unsure.
The Compass next asked readers if they would vote for the same candidate as they did in 2021 if an election was held today.
Nearly half (49%) said they would not, while the others were split between yes (28%) and unsure (23%).
One participant said they would have preferred Panton to remain premier.
Another said: “The candidate choices are very poor and we should increase the minimum standards for eligibility. We should reform the one man one vote system.”
The Compass asked participants if they usually prefer to vote for an independent candidate, one that is part of a political party or if they had no preference.
Nearly half, or 46%, said a candidate that is part of a political party, while 18% said an independent and 37% said they had no preference.
One ‘independent’ voter said: “It seems in Cayman the people in government are politicians not statesman.
“New party/old party many of the same people come and go. Need new and younger people to step up and assume these positions.”
Another contributor suggested that all Caymanians, including status holders, should be allowed to run for office “not just third generation Caymanians”.
“They should pick the 10 most capable MPs across both parties regardless of party,” they added.
“Those with criminal convictions for offences against the person should be permanently excluded from cabinet. They should not be representing our country.”
Most pressing issue
When asked what the most pressing issue is that government officials should prioritise, 42% said cost of living.
“What is [affecting] us here is affordable housing for Caymanians. Cost of living. Salary,” one participant commented.
“Be paid for your years of service, and raise pay accordingly to high cost of living in the Cayman Islands.”
The next priority area was traffic and transportation at 17%, while 10% said development.
In joint fourth position were immigration and the environment at 8% each, with education next at 6%, and affordable housing and healthcare insurance both at 4%.
A contributor wrote: “The housing situation is really a problem, and one easy fix would be to stop issuing any new Airbnb licences and such.
“This would open up more housing for the people who actually call these islands home.”
Several contributors said crime needed to be included in the list of pressing issues.
Another said they were considering leaving the Cayman Islands.
“There are nicer paradise islands, with better quality of life, with modern governments, which function,” they wrote.
Shared thoughts
The Compass asked poll participants to share their thoughts on the new UPM government, the following are some of the anonymous responses:
“Same collection of inexperienced self-centred individuals without the capacity to effectively govern. They need to clean up the boards of the various statutory authorities.”
“A complete and utter reshuffle of the same useless MPs that are only concerned with their own future and position and not provisioning for the sustainable future and progress of Cayman.”
“Embarrassed to have the new premier represent us on the international stage. Whatever goes on behind the scenes that hampered PACT will be no different under her.”
“The new government is formed using the same group of MPs. I expect the same in-fighting, lack of direction and progress we, the public, have observed since the PACT government was formed.”
“The new premier has been ineffective over the years in charge of education. I can’t see her being effective as head of any government.”
“Don’t think Juliana is the right person to lead. This is a big mistake having her lead as she has not accomplished anything and has backward thinking.”
“They are all crabs in a barrel looking out for personal interests, nothing else. So, quality of life for Caymanians on a whole will not improve.”
“The decision of leadership did not lie in the hands of the people, but in the very people we hoped to change. Silly really.”
“It’s PACT government with a different name. A bunch of independent individuals with different ideas. No common goal.”
“Juliana is the biggest flip [flopper] of them all. She has switched sides more than any of them and is clearly out for her own personal gain and [agenda].”
“Shuffling positions at the table and calling yourself a different name does not constitute a new government.”
“This is a fresh start. However, I hope and pray that some of what was said during the debate will be taken in to account that there would more focus upon why they were elected. The rest of the term will give us that answer.”
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