Chamber calls for honesty in elections
Kyle Broadhurst, Chamber of Commerce President
(CNS Elections): Kyle Broadhurst, the new Chamber of Commerce president, urged candidates not to neglect accuracy in the election campaign, given the recent democratic turbulence following the Brexit referendum in the UK and the US elections, where politics became very divisive and “loud opinions, regardless of accuracy” drowned out the facts. He said this was already happening when it came to unemployment and criticised those who say work permits have a negative impact upon Caymanian employment.
“Historically, as the number of work permits goes up, unemployment has gone down,” Broadhurst said at his address to the Chamber membership, as he took up the top role at the business lobby group. “The reason for this is simple: more jobs available means more jobs for everyone, including Caymanians. Many seek to ignore this or even try to state the reverse.”
He added that employers have obligations to the community but bad bosses were the “rare exception, not the rule”, and candidates were wrong to place the blame for unemployment on the private sector. “It is only the private sector and its success and growth that can ensure employment for all,” he said.
Anticipating a divisive election campaign here, where he expects to see misleading information coming from participants, he nevertheless accepted that there was room for debate on all the issues but hoped the arguments would be based on fact and not inflammatory positions.
Regardless of the outcome, the main message from the Chamber would be “Let’s build Cayman together”, the new president said, maintaining that collaboration was needed between the Chamber and government to implement positive change.
The Chamber’s Government Relations Committee, which was formed last year and meets with caucus quarterly, would continue, he said, because he wanted the elected government to support economic growth, as the corresponding financial contributions from the private sector would benefit all three islands.
“I urge all nominees to take this into consideration when announcing their prospective policies and opinions, and we hope that they realise and acknowledge the necessity for continued economic growth,” he added.
The president also revealed the plans for the Chamber’s election forums in all 19 constituencies, where all of the candidates nominated will be invited to attend and answer questions submitted by the Chamber membership.
Category: Election News
I think Mr Broadhurst is not trying to better Caymanians lives, he’s trying to get the one he wants elected . And I have read the article and him thoroughly too. But I don’t think that the Chamber of Commerce should be involved in election and this kind of behavior.
The Chambers and the Governments theory that additional work permits increase jobs for Cayman is “fool Gold”, that could only apply to developers or managers/owners who set up new businesses that offer employment. Can the chamber explain to me how a work permit for any worker adds jobs for Caymanians.
Honesty in a Cayman Election? A new fridge will keep me honest…
I think each candidate should be honest about where they live. I would much prefer to elect a candidate who actually lives in my district and knows the issues first hand.
A lawyer calling for honesty? What is this world coming to?
His entire statement is a veiled dig at the silent majority that want to vote his type out.
No, Mr. Kyle. We are not stupid. We know you want to keep getting richer while the poor of Cayman get poorer under the rules and regulations that you and your type preside over. BAM!
Really? Just like that? BAM! There goes your intelligence and integrity. Mr. Broadhurst said nothing negative about ‘the poor of Cayman’. He clearly wants to help them to lift themselves out of poverty. It is ignorant people like you that continue to keep ‘the poor of Cayman’ down.
Your insults are not an argument. Your post is just what Broadhurst was talking about.
Did you even the article thoroughly?
I’ll take a wild guess and say you’re one of the bloggers from ‘I am Caymanian! Where are my Rights?’.
Really, never heard of that.
Perhaps I should have said I am a black, gay transgender Caymanian.
Would you listen then?
Please find a real job and stop trolling in a country you know little about. Bar room gossip does not count.