SHOWDOWN FOR BODDEN TOWN WEST

By Staff Writer

It was a session summed up as “lively” by the moderator of the Chamber of Commerce’s Bodden Town West candidates forum.

The three candidates, incumbent Chris Saunders(independent), Osbourne ‘Ossie’ Bodden -The Cayman Community Party (TCCP), and Haymond Rankin - the Cayman Islands National Party(CINP), locked horns over several issues.

Asked to state their priority areas for government, Mr Rankin(CINP) brought his background as an attorney into play, stressing accountability. “Caymanians deserve a system that works fairly for all Caymanians. We deserve a system that does not work selectively. We need a ministerial code of conduct that is fit for purpose and is enforced.”

Former finance minister Saunders(IND) pointed to improving the quality of life of Caymanians, economic diversification and modernising the infrastructure.

However, he felt that progress was being hampered in many areas by what he called special interest groups, even within the current election campaign.

“This is what this election has always been about; the rich and the special interest were hell-bent on making sure that the very system that made them rich continues, and the people the same system made struggle, continues to make them suffer and struggle.”

TCCP candidate Bodden, also a previous minister, cited the cost of living, traffic congestion and education.

He committed to “definitely” supporting the recommended increase in the minimum wage and introducing consumer protection. Mr Bodden also wants to break up the fuel supply monopoly. “The cost of fuel drives the economy…I think we also need to break up those monopolies and encourage other companies who look more towards renewable energy.”

But the special interests and fuel mixture ignited a few sparks.

CINP’s Rankin challenged Mr Saunders. “That person was in the government,” he quipped. “The CUC(Caribbean Utilities Company) renegotiation could have happened had he said something, had he done something, but he did nothing, and now we’re locked in.”

He said his party supports installing solar panels to lower home electricity bills but that approach is tied up in red tape.

On the fuel issue, Mr Saunders had also implied double standards on the part of one of his opponents. “The irony about it is when I sit down here, like my good friend, talk about fuel prices, but yet you make your money from selling fuel. This is the sort of hypocrisy that we have in the political realm.”

But Ossie Bodden(TCCP) fired back: “The incumbent speaks about my livelihood. I don’t think I’m getting rich from selling fuel. You got the wrong person there. The people that are making a lot of money from that are the people who sell fuel to us.”

A prominent issue in this series of candidate forums is prioritising Caymanians in the jobs market.

The question arose that the demand for qualified labour in both public and private sectors continues to exceed the number of Caymanians available to fill current and future roles. The candidates were asked what reforms, if any, they would support to address this labour gap while ensuring that opportunities for Caymanians remain a priority.

TCCP’s Bodden: “Yes, we have failed on the education front. We have not adequately prepared our people. We have to do a better job and make sure that our Caymanians get the opportunity.” Mr Bodden strongly favours vocational training, possibly partnering with a school in Jamaica.

CINP’s Rankin: “We need to expose students from Year Five to the trades or finances. And yes, we must teach our kids that they can dominate in Bitcoin and blockchain technology. It is the future. The future is here. We have an issue with demand. I understand that, but if we prepare our children for the jobs of the future, we won’t have that issue anymore.”

Former finance minister and incumbent Saunders(IND): “The main thing that we need to start doing is enforcing our existing legislation to give our people choice.”

Mr Saunders also recalled that while the same challenges existed decades ago, Caymanians still had job guarantees. “Back then we had the Caymanians Protection Law and this is what we need to bring back into this country.”

Among other issues which arose during the Bodden Town West Candidates Forum were; pensions, the work permit system, health insurance, traffic congestion, diversifying the financial services, waste management and food security.