Former EY partner Dan Scott has launched a new political party, insisting “Caymanians are crying out for change.”
Scott announced an initial slate of 11 candidates and hopes to unveil at least four more in the coming months.
He said the new organisation – which currently has no previous politicians in the line-up – was in the race to win, and he will be urging people to ‘vote straight’ for the Cayman Islands National Party.
Scott highlighted immigration reform, access to better-paying jobs for Caymanians, border security, and government accountability and efficiency among key policy goals.
The initial line-up is:
- Haymond Rankin – Bodden Town West
- Julie Hunter – West Bay West
- Nickolas DaCosta – Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman
- Gueva Richards – East End
- Jordan Rivers – West Bay North
- Dan Scott – Cayman Brac East
- Gary ‘Peanut’ Rutty – George Town South
- Bud Johnson – George Town East
- Michael Myles – Prospect
- Craig Merren – George Town West
- Carmen McField – George Town Central
The bigger picture, three months out from the general election, is that Scott’s group will be one of at least three, possibly four, political parties competing for control of Parliament.
André Ebanks leads the new Caymanian Community Party, currently with seven candidates. Joey Hew leads the Progressives, which is aiming to field at least 15 candidates. Chris Saunders is also understood to be working to put a group together. Less is known about where the current government members will end up.
Scott said his group had committed to “transparent, accountable, community-focused leadership” and aimed to bring “hope and optimism” to the election race.
In his first interview since forming the party, he batted away concerns that his team lacks frontline political experience, saying they were all business and community leaders with a track record of achievement.
And he questioned the success of veteran politicians, saying Cayman needs a change of faces in Parliament, as well as a change of approach.
“What have they done?” he asked. “How has it been working for us so far with so many of those who claim to be so experienced?”
He added, “I would contend that the experience that all of our candidates have is real-life experience where they have shown the ability to deliver, to be successful, to lead teams and to understand how to put people first.”
He said Caymanians were feeling “left behind” in their own country – passed over for jobs and overwhelmed by changing demographics. At a time when there are almost 40,000 work permits in the country, he said the priority had to be to get Cayman people in jobs they deserved and that could enable them and their families to thrive.
“I can give you example after example of people who are either unemployed or underemployed for the level of education or training,” he added.
‘This was not on my bucket list’
On a personal level, he said it had not been on his “bucket list” to run for office, but he believes Cayman is “at a crossroads” and that he has the skills and experience to bring a team together to put the country on the right path.
“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “This place has been good to me. I’ve given back throughout my career. But if we’re really in a position, with the challenges facing our community and the country, where we are at a crossroads, then now is the time.
“There’s the old question, ‘If not you, then who? And if not now, then when?’”
Scott, who will run for the Cayman Brac East seat currently held by Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, will host a public meeting on the Brac Saturday night, 1 Feb., and individual candidates will do the same in their districts over the coming weeks.
‘People want change’
In a press release to coincide with the launch on Friday, Scott elaborated, “I’ve listened to our people throughout our islands, and constituents consistently tell me, ‘address the cost of living’, ‘ensure job opportunities for Caymanian citizens’, ‘secure our borders’, and ‘give us transparent, accountable, community-focused leadership’, among so many other concerns.”
The release sets out a handful of core policy aims, including:
- Making the cost of living affordable
- Creating opportunities for Caymanian citizens
- Prioritising education, healthcare and housing
- Strengthening the economy
- Securing borders
- Keeping communities safe
- Infrastructure and environmental sustainability
- Government accountability and efficiency
Scott added, “The Cayman Islands National Party candidates are hearing the same concerns from their respective constituencies. People want change, they want a government that works for them – not one that takes from them. They want a government that serves them – not one that waits to be served.
“They want representatives that make every decision by starting with a simple question, ‘Is this good for Caymanian citizens? Will this make their lives better?’ Our team is committed to that and much more.”
Anthony Ritch, secretary general and founding member of the party, added, “Our party is grounded in tradition and driven by the prospect of a brighter future. We are committed to laying the groundwork for a thriving community where opportunity is not just a word, but a reality for all Caymanian citizens.”
Quick takes on key issues
Scott said his party would be rolling out a manifesto with “innovative solutions” that would be carefully explained in the run-up to the election. In the interim, he gave his quick takes on a handful of key issues:
Population growth and immigration
Scott said immigration reform would be “front and centre” of his party’s policy platform.
“There’s no question that Caymanians are feeling displaced, and that needs to be curtailed. Population has grown beyond the infrastructure capacity, and we need to take pause and figure out, how do we deal with that.”
Minimum wage and job opportunities
Scott said the minimum wage is too low and has devalued jobs and led to the importing of poverty. He said the recommendation of an increase from $6 to $8.75 was a start, but more innovative solutions would be needed to make those jobs viable for Caymanians.
“We have reduced the value of jobs so that Caymanians can’t afford to take these positions because they wouldn’t be able to live. We are driving people to social services,” he said.
Traffic and public transport
Scott supports the extension of the East-West Arterial, arguing that it is not fair for people in the eastern districts to have to wake their children up at 4am to go to school. But he says it is just one piece of the puzzle.
“We need public transport,” he said, “and we need other pragmatic solutions.”
Cruise tourism
Scott acknowledged the issue of whether to build cruise infrastructure was a difficult one and said that the party was still examining the data. He said his own concern “as it stands right now” is that increasing the volume of cruise traffic could impact quality of life for Caymanians.
“Look at what is happening on Public Beach,” he said. “Caymanians no longer go there because it is being overwhelmed. It is not just about numbers, it is about quality of life so, as it sits right now, I remain unconvinced.”
He acknowledged, however, that there are Caymanians working in the cruise industry, and any decision to steer clear of piers would mean “provisions must be made” for them to “not only survive, but thrive” with new opportunities.
Retirement age
Scott argues that mandatory retirement at 60 or 65 is forcing qualified, experienced Caymanians out of the workforce at a time when their input is most needed. In many cases, he said, this was forcing them into poverty, while pensions don’t cover their cost of living, and health insurance costs multiply.
“I believe that we need to move forward with legislation that deals with age discrimination,” he said. “It should not be that a Caymanian reaching 60 or 65 years old is automatically told, okay, you’re retired, off you go home to face all those challenges.”
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Dan it’s good to see that you are throwing your hand into the political ring and I wish you success. However, I’m concern that you state you are for the east west arterial road extension yet no one is stating why build the road at the loss of the environment, the threat of people homes being flooded and at the cost of $1 billon dollars for shaving 7 minutes off the drive time. I would also like to learn what was the ratio of caymanians/work permits at EY when you retired. I am looking forward to hearing more of your manifesto for the country and the people.
Really would have liked to see more Caymanian women in this, and every other line up.
One thing for sure there will be no shortage of candidates as success will bring a handsome salary and expense allowances. Most of the manifestos will promise Utopia but what we need is a party staffed by well qualified people who will put their country before their pocket and whose integrity is unquestoned.
It is great to see someone leading a qualified team who can set the tone at the top from an accountability standpoint. The fact that Mr. Scott can also leverage his fiscal responsibility is exactly what the Cayman Islands need. It is also nice to see Gary Rutty commit to run and help Cayman, as both his parents help start and greatly contribute to the Cayman tourism product!