Key takeaways from Savannah candidates’ forum

Date: Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Candidates

• Heather Bodden* (TCCP)
• Donna Bush (PPM)

* incumbent

The debate

Incumbent MP Heather Bodden went head-to-head with veteran broadcaster Donna Bush on Tuesday night, as both candidates made their pitch to constituents for the Savannah seat.

Bodden, who won the constituency in 2021 with 55% of the vote, is vying for re-election, this time under the umbrella of a 10-strong roster of names representing The Caymanian Community Party.

Relying on her notes, Bodden delivered preprepared answers to many of the questions posed by the Chamber of Commerce panel.

This is the first direct foray into politics for Bush, who referred to her career as the “voice of the people of the Cayman Islands”. She contests the Savannah seat as a candidate under Joey Hew’s PPM.

Notable exchanges

There was little direct challenge between the two candidates, although shots were arguably fired early in the debate when Bodden referenced that for “a very long time” her opponent has worked as a “professional presenter”.

“For an even longer time, I have been on the ground, working tirelessly in my community, for my Savannah people and for our nation,” she said as point of contrast, stating, “anyone who dares to say that Heather Bodden does not work hard in Savannah does not live in Savannah.”

Key issues debated

National issues

Bush and Bodden both cited housing and cost of living as two of the three most pressing national issues they would seek to address if elected.

Bush listed traffic as her third priority, whereas Bodden cited immigration.

“Our islands are overpopulated as a result of immigration abuses, causing a shortage of accommodations, and this drives the cost of rent and has a direct impact on the cost of living,” Bodden stated.

Asked specifically about cost of living later in the debate, Bush proposed free basic healthcare to people under 18 and expanded healthcare options for the elderly, as well as PPM proposals to tackle the housing crisis via rent-to-own schemes and assistance with down payments on properties.

Bodden proposed thinking “out of the box” on housing, including building container homes and rent-control policies to curb rises in rent. She also endorsed investing in solar to bring electricity prices under control and widening access to healthcare for children and the elderly.

Agriculture

When asked about a vision for development in Savannah that ensured opportunities for agriculture, Bodden initially appeared to flounder, before suggesting broadening farmers markets across the district could prove a solution.

Meanwhile, Bush stated it was “an opportune time to use the soil of Savannah for backyard farming”.

“I canvassed throughout Savannah. I found multiple homes that had front and backyard farming, and think it’s something that the government can consider in offering grants to people to help them set up their backyard farming so that they can, you know, share their produce with their neighbours and with others in the community,” she proposed.

Both candidates agreed that the financial services industry could benefit from more government funding, to create more parity with what the tourism sector receives.

Jobs for returning Caymanian students

In addressing issues with students seeking jobs on their return to Cayman from overseas study, Bodden suggested foreign workers train returning Caymanians, referencing “some sort of policy” to ensure students find suitable positions.

Bush emphasised government, which funds a lot of students’ overseas study, should be planning ahead via the scholarships secretariat to help identify work for students ahead of their return home.

For students with careers that might not exist yet in Cayman, financial assistance or connection overseas could help them find entry-level experience, so when they returned home, the top jobs would be available, she suggested.

Traffic

Both candidates endorsed extending the East-West Arterial, with Bush emphasising the dual purpose of relieving congestion, as well as offering an alternative emergency route in the event of a hurricane.

Bodden endorsed the B2 option on the road extension, stressing it was less expensive and destructive to the environment, as well as proposing a national bus service with “clear schedules” and a limit on importing vehicles by work permit holders as potential solutions to the congestion issues. Moving more government business eastwards, such as the DVDL in Breakers, and getting “creative” with school and work start times were also suggested.

Recycling

Both candidates endorsed mandatory recycling as a way forward to addressing Cayman’s mounting rubbish problems.

Bodden, who until recently, was part of the government under Wayne Panton and then under Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, stated, recycling was “definitely the way to go” but did not cite any direct policy intervention to facilitate this.

“We are seeing an increase, and we definitely, definitely have to do something in regards to the trash growing in our country. We have to definitely work at it,” she said.

Bush emphasised a mindset shift, with lots of education, would be needed to make mandatory recycling happen. Citing the demise of the ReGen project, she stressed a “proper waste management system” was in the best long-term interests of Cayman.

Both candidates also agreed that seeking the opinions of the electorate via the referendum on cruise was the right approach to that issue.

Minimum wage

Both candidates also agreed that changes to Cayman’s meagre minimum wage had been “kicked down the road for far too long”.

Bodden was part of the government at the time it rejected proposals to raise the rate to $8.75 in July last year.

“We need to put the needs of our people above self interest,” she said.

“People are working in our communities for a mere $6 an hour, and they are facing the same cost-of-living crisis as everyone else. … If I am re-elected, I will support the proposed increase of the minimum wage.”

Mooting that $8.75 was “not even enough”, Bush said it was “a good place to start”.

“You know, we go, we take these things out for consultation, and then we come back with answers and recommendations, and then it’s halted. We can no longer afford to do that,” Bush stressed.

Standout moments

In her closing speech, Bodden emphasised, “My record speaks for itself”.

To endorse this, she listed the delivery of local projects from street lighting, a visible neighbourhood watch, upgraded playing fields, beautification projects, and work with young people and the elderly.

“I recognise that we are at a crossroads in our country where we have a lot to lose if we do not stand up for what is right for our country,” she said. 

Promising “I deliver”, Bush told voters she had aligned herself with the PPM because of their track record as “proven, stable leaders”.

“I will continue to fight if you give me the opportunity and elect me as your new MP for Savannah … I’m fully transparent. I can promise you that I will listen to you as I’ve been doing. I will work for you. I will fight for you on a national level, not just at the community level,” Bush declared.

The next Chamber of Commerce debate, held on Wednesday, 19 March, will feature the three candidates from Newlands.

Watch debate online