David Wight seeking re-election for GTW

David Wight says a natural instinct to help out his local community was developed in him and his twin brother Christopher at an early age, thanks to his family’s involvement in the George Town West community in which they lived.

“My father owned a supermarket in the area where we grew up and it was common for him to get involved and help out the local community. We developed that same community spirit from him,” he advised.

Serving as the MP for George Town West and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Tourism, Transport and Sports, David has also held multiple posts within Government over the past four years he has been in office, including Member of the Standing Register of Interests, Member of the Standing House Committee and Member of the Standing Select Committee to Oversee the Performance of the Office of the Complaints Commissioner and Office of the Information Commissioner.

Describing himself as a hands-on, people-centred politician, David devotes a large part of his daily activities in Government to working in his GTW constituency and the wider community.

Working closely with his colleague, George Town South’s Member of Parliament, Barbara Connolly, David pointed out that infrastructural issues affecting his constituents have been of top concern, especially when it came to improving the quality of roads in the Windsor Park area of GTW.

“We’ve had one of our greatest achievements with the resurfacing and re-draining of Oak Mill Street in Windsor Park,” he advised. “I would like to thank the National Roads Authority for their excellent work both in Oak Mill Street and Miss Kippie Lane, which have seen major improvements to an area previously prone to flooding.”

Work has also begun on Walkers Road to resurface the roads at the busy four-way stop by the hospital, as well as at Middle Road where it joins Maple Road where sleep bumps will control vehicle speeds in that area, he advised.

Another area of achievement that has been a highlight for David was his ability to assist those from his constituency in need of employment. Serving as the connection between those seeking employment and companies needing staff has been a key area of work for him during his time in office.

The safety and security of his constituents has been a high priority for David and so he helped small communities within the GTW area establish neighbourhood watch schemes.

“I’ve seen many established over the last four years and am part of the What’s App group chats that are set up with each group. It is great to see the chats and see people looking out for each other,” he stated.

Young people have also been an area of special concern, he observed, having co-sponsored after school programmes in the George Town area along with his Progressives colleague, Barbara Conolly.

“Two of my most notable achievements have been my work with the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) and also with the Boyz 2 Men mentorship programme,” he stated. “I have been pleased to be able to assist the professor in charge of the construction classes at CIFEC whenever he needs equipment, and I have been very happy to support the excellent Boyz 2 Men programme, which has made a huge difference in the lives of young men in our community.”

Looking ahead, David said he would like to continue his focus on the youth, again working alongside his colleague Ms Conolly, continuing his work with the Youth Parliament.

“This will be the fourth year that Barbara and I have been part of the Youth Parliament programme. I think it is a great initiative and I just wish we had had something similar when we were young as it would have made my transition into politics a great deal easier,” David said.

Working in the Ministry of Sports is something he very much hopes will continue, should he gain reelection, having played cricket at a semi-professional level in the UK.

“Sport is in my blood, whether that is cricket, football or tennis, all of which we have played as a family all our lives. I like where sport is going in the Cayman Islands and hope it can continue to be promoted and supported once Covid has ended,” he said.

Working alongside the Minister of Tourism is also something he is keen to continue.

“All my life I have been proud to promote the Cayman Islands at any opportunity overseas and it is something I very much hope to continue to do,” he confirmed.