Hew outlines hopes to lead Progressives back to government

Joey Hew has outlined plans to take the Progressives back to power after being announced as the leader of the party for next year’s general election.

The Opposition effectively sounded the starting pistol on campaign season with the announcement at the party’s national council meeting Saturday at Seafarer’s Hall. Hew told party members he would aim to deliver an administration offering “unity and stability” as he took a swipe at the current independent coalition, led by former Progressives Cabinet Minister Juliana O’Connor Connolly.

“Unlike the current administration, which is plagued by disunity, frequent shifts, and unclear priorities, we will offer consistent leadership and a clear vision for the Cayman Islands,” Hew said as he launched the party’s challenge to the UPM administration.

Hew will take the reins of the party from current leader Roy McTaggart in January at the party’s national convention.

His leadership will first have to be put to a vote at that event, though he is unchallenged so it is expected to be a routine process.

Surprise announcement

McTaggart took those gathered by surprise when he announced he will step aside and nominate the George Town North MP to lead the party into the 2025 polls.

“I just felt really the time was right for me to transition the leadership to someone younger, and Joey, I think, will be an incredible leader for the Progressives, and he will continue with the same sort of policies and the same drive that we have always had,” McTaggart told the Compass following his announcement.

McTaggart said he thinks the party will be “positioned well for successful contesting of the elections in 2025”.

Hew said he was humbled to be named the fourth leader of the party in its 22-year history.

He takes over as Opposition Leader at the next sitting of the Parliament.

McTaggart said transitioning Hew to the frontline position in the House will help get him  additional exposure.

“This will enable him to assume a public leadership role before the party conference and the general election. Importantly, all the Progressives’ elected members support this transition,” he added.

McTaggart hastened to add that he will not be going anywhere. He said he intends to contest his seat in the next election.

Independents dubbed a ‘failed experiment’

Caymanians, he said, believe “this failed experiment in a Government of Independents must not be repeated”.

“This upcoming election is not just a routine choice; it’s a pivotal decision that will shape the future of all three Cayman Islands. It’s a choice of what kind of government you want but also a decision on what kind of country you want,” he told supporters.

Hew, who was accompanied at the meeting by his family, said he was ready to take the reins and reach out to young voters in particular.

He told the Compass that the next election will be a “very important election” and is an opportunity “for us to evolve as a party and to grow as a party”.

Though he said the party’s comprehensive manifesto will be launched in January, the Progressives’ plan for the future is built on four pillars – economic revitalisation, fostering social unity, environmental stewardship, and lowering the cost of living.

“Our polling shows that the public desires stability and clarity, and the Progressives are ready to provide the leadership necessary for a prosperous and stable future for all Caymanians,” he said.

He said fresh ideas from the party’s candidates and broader Progressives members “will certainly enrich our manifesto and reflect our collective vision for the future”.

“Our goal is to create jobs, stimulate innovation, and ensure that every Caymanian has the opportunity to succeed while respecting our environmental limits. We will invest in infrastructure, support small businesses, and champion technological advancements that will propel us into a new era of prosperity,” Hew said in his address.

Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman MP Moses Kirkconnell was not in attendance at the meeting. However, he issued a short video message endorsing Hew’s leadership and thanked McTaggart for his service.

Sir Alden McLaughlin, the party’s chairman, lauded McTaggart’s decision to put the country first for a smooth succession of leadership as he endorsed Hew as the next leader.

Though he did not expressly state his intentions for the next election, McLaughlin hinted that he will be on the campaign trail.

“I ain’t going on no hopeless mission. This is more than doable. We can win the next election,” McLaughlin said, adding that the response from the audience lifted his spirit and gave him “even more confidence and encourages me even more to put my back to the wheel to ensure the Progressives are back in office come April 2025”.

Larren Peart, CEO of Bluedot Data Insights, which conducted the party’s political study on key issues in the community, said via video that cost of living emerged as the foremost concern in the Cayman Islands, with the highest importance score 7.7 out of 10.

The economy, education, crime and violence, housing all scored above 7 in the study, in which nearly 700 Caymanians were engaged, Peart said.

He said a majority, 56%, preferred a candidate from a political party to be their MP, compared to just 20% who favoured a candidate who ran as an independent.

He said respondents were given the option to choose anyone they thought was best suited to be the premier of the Cayman Islands, and 15 names were mentioned.

“The vast majority of respondents expressed a preference for a premier from the Progressives party,” he claimed.

The names of the suggested premiers were not shared, nor were the percentages revealed or the methodology of the poll.

Progressives aim to contest 19 seats

McLaughlin said the search for candidates has begun and the party is looking to contest a majority of the 19 seats, if not all. There were no new candidates announced at Saturday’s event.

“The fact that we are signaling as a party our intention to contest the next elections vigorously is going to create some real excitement and momentum for the party,” he said.

Hew said there is much to be done, and his is determined to get started.

“We must win the election next April to make this vision a reality,” he said.