Party leaders to go head-to-head in Chamber forums
André Ebanks (WBS incumbent) is the leader of The Caymanian Community Party. He has served as financial services minister 2021-2024, and deputy premier 2023-2024. More and Raul Nicholson-Coe at the 2021 West Bay South Chamber of Commerce Forum(CNS): Voters will get the chance to see most of the candidates running in their districts go head to head in the coming months, as the Chamber of Commerce has confirmed it will be hosting its traditional forums for the 2025 campaign. However, for this election, the Chamber is adding a direct debate for party and political group leaders. This will enhance the opportunity for voters to compare policy positions, leadership visions, and national priorities in an interactive setting, officials from the business organisation said.
“An informed electorate is essential to a thriving democracy,” said Chamber President Joanne Lawson. “Attending these forums will provide voters firsthand insights into candidates’ policy positions, priorities, and leadership styles. By introducing a debate format for party leaders, voters will have a unique opportunity to compare perspectives on national issues in a way that has never been done before.
“This platform will also highlight the importance of visionary leadership — offering a clear direction for the country’s future and demonstrating each leader’s ability to navigate complex challenges with foresight and purpose,” she added.
Since 1988, the Chamber has facilitated candidate forums in each election and by-election as a nonpartisan initiative to promote open dialogue and accountability. The Chamber said they had served as an “essential platform for civic engagement and informed decision-making” and had generally been one of the only places during the official eight-week campaign period where candidates go head-to-head, answer questions and respond to each other in the same room.
The first forum will take place on 13 March, and the last one, where party leaders will debate, will be on 9 April. The events will give voters a chance to hear directly from all of the candidates who accept the invitation on the same platform as other candidates running in the same constituency.
This year, all of the forums will be hosted at the Chamber’s conference room in Governor’s Square rather than in the respective constituencies, ensuring accessibility and direct engagement with all of the electorate.
However, all sessions will also be live-streamed across multiple social media platforms to maximise outreach. Local media outlets will cover and broadcast the forums for broad public access to the discussions.
“These forums serve as a neutral platform where candidates can address public concerns, outline their vision for the future, and engage in meaningful discussions that shape the electoral process,” the Chamber of commerce stated in a release announcing the forums.
“With 19 constituencies represented, these forums will cover an extensive range of issues, including the Chamber’s three advocacy pillars: building a future-ready workforce, sustaining economic success, and enhancing the quality of life. Additional topics will address economic development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.”
Voters, businesses and community members are encouraged to submit questions on constituency and national topics via email. The public can tune in via the Chamber’s live-streamed broadcasts on social media.
Candidates interested in participating are urged to confirm their attendance and prepare for an engaging exchange of ideas.
For more details about the 2025 Candidates Forums, contact Chamber CEO Wil Pineau at 743-9122 or wil.pineau@caymanchamber.ky
The forums, which all start at 7pm, have been added to the CNS Election Calendar.
Category: Election News
Change writes: Every constituency has the same issue when their MP becomes a minister. It is not that they stop caring about their area, but Cabinet members have no choice but to tackle issues at national level, and that takes budget, meetings, reports, travel, conference calls, sitting with lawyers to streamline bills and laws — all […]
Are there any other candidates running on the Sister Islands, besides Miss Maxine, who have lived and worked over here since the last election.
It seems like we have one refugee from Grand Cayman who is throwing around his money, no political experience and wants to be the Premier.
We have another who seems to have run a government company and was let go by them.
We have another, a junior member of the Lodge, who has not lived on the Brac since last election.
And another having come back over from Grand Cayman to run for a seat.
Election after election, we watch the so-called Brackers, who have spent most of their adult life in Grand Cayman, all of a sudden a few months before election they magically appear as if they are going to do something great for our community.
? for big shot money man running in east district. Sir, you made millions over in Cayman throughout your career – but never heard of you creating any back office jobs over here, never heard of you spearheading any initiatives over here – other than having a Christmas party and being sure that your name is on the list as sponsor for recent events. Why the sudden interest in the Brac??? Oh, duh now I know, you have the $ to buy the necessary 200-something votes to get elected.
Truth Been Spoken
Vote back in Julie and Moses then na! EEdiat!
Did I miss a line of this news item with words like environmental protection, sustainability, immigration control.
I encourage voters to learn the numbers. The statistics. What is the percentage of crime. What is the percentage of unemployment. What is the revenue from work permits and status. How many of the students who come back with a degree on government scholarships are hired by the private sector. If they are not being hired, do we keep granting work permits or is it time for a moratorium? We cannot make informed decisions if we are not taking the time to find out the key answers. Let us do our job as voters.