Moxam claims polls are in his favour
(CNS): Johann Moxam
Johann Moxam: Independent candidate for George Town North - Managing Partner of Lainston International Management Ltd. Background and education: Moxam studied at the University of... More, the challenger for the George Town North seat, believes that the race is going in his favour after the results of the Progressives’ polling show Joey Hew
Joey Hew (PPM): George Town North MLA, Minister of Commerce, Planning, Infrastructure. Biography: Hew has been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2013, when... More trailing against him in one of the hottest head-to-head races in this campaign.
In a fiery exchange at the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum, the differences between the men and Moxam’s willingness to call out the current planning minister’s failings after eight years in government meant Hew did not escape unscathed, as has been the case at other forums. Confident that he can take a major PPM scalp on 14 April, Moxam said, “I like my chances.”
Moxam said that according to the data he had seen, the “PPM and their proxies” will not have enough candidates to form a majority and there was no doubt in his mind that the next administration would be a coalition.
“I am currently working with a core group of independents that I think stand a very, very good chance of being successful in their seats. But what I can say with certainty is the winds of change are blowing. I recently saw a PPM poll and I really like my chances, to be honest with you,” he said. But he also noted the reality that the people get to decide the winners and if he is successful he will have to engage with everyone in the deliberations after Election Day.
Hew made it clear that the PPM Alliance was still open to other candidates joining them ahead of Election Day, but also that the PPM would be happy to join forces with other independents after the polls, without indicating whether or not that meant welcoming McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (CDP), West Bay West MLA Speaker of the LA, Leader of the Cayman Democratic Party. Biography: Bush is the longest serving member and... More and his allies back into the fold.
The Chamber Forum tackled the usual list of subjects, but given Hew’s role as planning minister and Moxam’s campaign platform, it was no surprise that many of the questions put to the men and the answers they gave focused heavily on development and its consequences, as well as the challenges of a sustainable future.
Moxam said the incumbent in GTN and the administration he has served are responsible for the housing crisis faced by working Caymanians, who can’t afford their own homes because of policies the government has pursued. He said the policies have led directly to the development of these islands for wealthy investors instead of its own people.
Repeating the popular mantra adopted by many of the independent candidates, “Who are we developing for?”, which reflects wide public concern, Moxam said it was clear it was no longer for Caymanians.
With the average home price now at $1 million and one-bed units starting at a quarter of a million dollars, it is clear this is not aimed at local professionals since it’s out of their price range.
“What’s happening in the housing market is a direct reflection of the priorities and policies that are geared towards everyone else except for us,” Moxam said. “This current admin is hyper-focused on construction… and more people coming to the island… of substantial means that can buy up large amounts of real estate in cash.”
He said there were many examples of how government has done this and the latest was the Global Citizen Programme, which was billed as a short-term solution to the tourism closure to help boost the domestic economy. Instead, he said, it was providing another route for wealthy international residents to buy investment properties, further driving up the cost of property and out of the reach of the country’s own people.
The two men also clashed over the beach access question. Hew seemed completely unaware that the government had abandoned legislation to deal with prescriptive rights and access issues at the last meeting of the House without explanation.
He pointed to the Public Lands Commission, created during the last administration, and the forthcoming PlanCayman, which Hew said would cover issues such as beach access. While he continued to press the need for development, he did say that the environment had to be taken into consideration and setbacks should be reviewed.
The men also had a very different position on the current situation in Rock Hole, a socially deprived area of the GTN constituency. While Hew called it “regeneration”, Moxam called it “gentrification”, as he pointed to the people that government is trying to oust from the area with meagre compensation packages.
Accusing the current administration of causing the demise of the country’s capital, he said, “George Town is being killed off by the government.” And speaking directly to voters, he added, “Your representative is not being honest with you.”
On other topics, Hew said a new PPM-led government would review the health insurance issue and offered his support for government covering the cost of children’s health cover. He said health insurance should not be a political issue. Moxam agreed that a comprehensive review was required, given the multiple problems, but outlined some of the reasons why it is obviously political.
Making his pitch to GTN voters, Hew touted the economic success in Cayman before COVID-19 and said the country needed an experienced, safe government to lead it out of the pandemic.
Moxam pointed to the need for candidates who do the right thing and not the politically expedient thing, as well as the importance of honesty and transparency from politicians and a government focused on the people, not themselves.
Watch the Chamber forum below:
Category: Election News
