Key takeaways from Red Bay candidates’ forum

Date: Thursday, 20 March 2025

Candidates

• Dawn Thomas (CINP)
• Roy Tatum (PPM)
• Phillip Ebanks (IND)
• Leon Gould (IND)
• Natasha Whitelocke (TCCP)

The forum

The sixth candidate forum, hosted by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, commenced with five political hopefuls vying for the Red Bay constituency seat. The panel comprised two independent candidates, one CINP, one TCCP and one PPM candidate. The two-and-a-half-hour long discussion was broadcast across various social media platforms, viewed by thousands.

A total of ten questions were asked. Candidates were not given the questions in advance.

Key issues addressed

During the discussions, each candidate accepted that there were numerous issues of national importance that were equally urgent.

1. Local workforce development

On the issue of the workforce, the candidates all agreed that education, training and succession planning were crucial to foster a proper development plan.

“We need to work to make sure that the civil service is rebalanced and that there’s space made available for Caymanians to fill those jobs,” said Roy Tatum, representing the PPM ticket.

TCCP’s Natasha Whitelocke spoke of her track record of training up young Caymanians and noted that more could be done by the private sector to follow suit, while CINP’s Dawn Thomas pointed to the fact that many young Caymanians are offered scholarships but can find no work when they complete their degrees due to a lack of experience. She suggested more could be done to ensure jobs are available upon their return.

Independent Phillip Ebanks identified a lack of communication between the various departments tasked with work permits and labour, stating that a six-month notice period should be put in place prior to expiration of a work permit to allow a suitable Caymanian to be given the opportunity.

Independent Leon Gould stated that where companies fail to hire Caymanians or make plans to do so, they should be penalised by having work permits revoked, cancelled or denied.

2. Healthcare affordability

The candidates largely agreed that an ageing population, coupled with chronic noncommunicable diseases, continues to be a driving factor increasing healthcare costs, but differed in what they believe should be done.

“I have a son who has had seizures since he was nine. He is now 29 and will be on medication for the rest of his life,” Whitelocke said. “His medication costs $100 for a bottle of 30 pills.”

She added that regulating healthcare providers was a necessary step.

Ebanks, who noted that he too had ailing family members, agreed that healthcare needs to be more affordable.

3. Sustainable economic growth

When addressing the need for foreign investment that benefits Caymanians, Thomas said investment often promotes development that is not sustainable nor a direct benefit to Caymanians. She called for more balanced development.

Whitelocke noted this type of foreign investment often results in Caymanians being disadvantaged as investors normally take opportunities from Caymanians by way of purchasing property.

Tatum noted that foreign investment was essential but identified loopholes that allow investors to develop large-scale ventures that exclude Caymanians who cannot afford to buy in, claiming it was a matter that he would seek to end.

Gould’s stance on the matter was that it was beneficial and would lead to a trickle-down effect for not just Caymanians but businesses in Cayman.

Ebanks called for proper oversight on these investments to ensure that Caymanians directly benefit.

Other notable issues that were raised by the candidates included cost of living, the landfill remediation, traffic and the East-West Arterial.

Standout moments

Of the 19 constituencies, only three do not have incumbents contesting the election — Red Bay is one of them. The seat was previously held by Sir Alden McLaughlin, serving eight years for the past two administrations. In his place on the PPM ticket is Tatum.

Throughout the forum, each of the other candidates, some more subtle than others, took jabs at the PPM leadership and its hold on the Red Bay district, calling on voters to shift from the PPM.

“Although there are all new people here tonight, we don’t all have new ideas. Some of us have the same old ideas, just repackaged,” Whitelocke said.

“I have gone into the homes of the people of Red Bay, and I am hearing the same thing — the former representative is never there, but that’s not true. I think I might have seen him once or twice,” Ebanks said.

Thomas added, “What we are bringing to the table is solutions, new ideas and new people that are willing to pave a way forward.”

Gould then said, “Every four years we get the same lip service and fake promises. It time for a change.”

In response to the jabs, Tatum said, “Sir Alden can fight his own battles, but what I can say is that under the PPM leadership, this country paid down half the debt … reduced unemployment from 11% to 5% and got us through COVID.”

Watch debate online