Experienced incumbents vs. patriotic candidates
Cayman Sentinel writes: For decades, Caymanian politics has been dominated by the idea that experience is the most valuable asset a candidate can have. Career politicians tell us that because they have been in office before, they are the only ones qualified to lead. They argue that without their knowledge of government operations, the country would fall apart.
But when we step back and assess the reality, it becomes clear that the very politicians who boast about their experience are the same ones who have made decisions that have harmed our economy, environment, and society.
The failure of “experience”
Take a look around. Skyrocketing costs of living, an unregulated real estate boom that benefits wealthy developers over local families, and an immigration system that makes it harder for Caymanians to find jobs. Who was responsible for these policies? It wasn’t fresh candidates with a love for their country. It was the so-called experienced politicians — those who have sat in office for years, watching Caymanians struggle while they catered to big business and foreign interests.
The hard truth is that experience in office does not automatically mean competence or good leadership. If it did, Cayman’s social and economic conditions would have improved significantly by now. Instead, what we have seen is a widening gap between the rich and the working class, a political system that rewards connections over merit, and a government that too often ignores the voices of its own people.
This repeated cycle of failed leadership is not just a theoretical issue — it has real, tangible consequences. The cost of living continues to rise as the government fails to implement effective price control measures. Young Caymanians, despite being highly educated and talented, struggle to find opportunities in their own country as foreign workers are prioritized. Meanwhile, environmental destruction is rampant, with large-scale developments wiping out our precious mangroves and endangering our marine ecosystems.
The question is: why do we keep trusting the same politicians who have allowed this to happen? The answer is simple: because they sell us the illusion that experience is irreplaceable. But experience in corruption, mismanagement, and broken promises should not be what we value in our leaders.
The case for patriotic candidates
Patriotic candidates — those who are deeply committed to the well-being of Caymanians and not to political games — offer a much-needed alternative. They are not weighed down by years of government bureaucracy, nor are they influenced by the special interests that keep incumbents in power. Instead, they enter politics with a fresh perspective, an eagerness to serve, and a genuine love for the Cayman Islands.
These candidates have integrity. They are not career politicians looking for a paycheck or status; they are community members stepping up because they see a problem and want to fix it. They have real-world experience. Many of them have backgrounds in business, education, law, tourism, or social services — sectors that directly impact Caymanians’ daily lives.
And they have a vision for change. Unlike incumbents who often prioritise maintaining their political careers, patriotic candidates focus on what needs to be done to improve the country.
One of the greatest advantages of these candidates is their connection to the people. While long-term politicians become insulated from the struggles of everyday Caymanians, patriotic candidates come from within the community. They understand the struggles of single mothers trying to afford groceries, young professionals trying to buy their first home, and elderly citizens living on inadequate pensions.
Furthermore, these candidates are free from the tangled web of favours and obligations that career politicians owe to lobbyists and special interest groups. They do not enter government with debts to foreign investors or corporations that funded their campaigns. Their only loyalty is to the people who elect them.
The corruption of career politicians
Many of the current incumbents did not start out as corrupt politicians. They entered office with promises of change, pledging to fight for Caymanians and protect our way of life. But politics is a system that rewards self-interest, and too many of these politicians fell into the trap of prioritizing their own power and financial security over the well-being of the people.
This corruption manifests in several ways:
- Cronyism. Long-term politicians reward their friends and allies with government contracts, political appointments, and favors that serve the elite rather than the people.
- Neglect of Key Issues. They focus on projects that benefit their donors instead of tackling real problems like affordable housing, education reform, and healthcare improvements.
- Manipulation of the System. Incumbents change laws, manipulate voting districts, and use political tactics to ensure they stay in power, regardless of what the people want.
The only way to break this cycle is by electing new leaders who have no ties to these corrupt networks. Cayman needs leaders who will prioritize policies that benefit everyday citizens instead of lining the pockets of the wealthy elite.
The economic argument for new leadership
Some may argue that experienced politicians are necessary to ensure economic stability, but this is a flawed perspective. The truth is, our economy has been designed to benefit a select few while the majority of Caymanians struggle.
A patriotic government led by fresh candidates would focus on fair economic growth, ensuring that wealth is distributed more evenly, with policies that help small businesses and local entrepreneurs rather than just foreign corporations; affordable housing initiatives, creating real opportunities for Caymanians to own homes rather than being priced out by speculative investors; and job security for locals, reforming immigration and labour laws to prioritise Caymanian workers without hurting the economy.
Why Cayman cannot afford more of the same
The 2025 elections offer a pivotal opportunity for the Cayman Islands. If voters continue to choose incumbents based on name recognition rather than performance, we will see another four years of stagnation, rising costs, and declining quality of life. The longer we wait to change, the harder it will be to undo the damage.
There is a misconception that new candidates will be inexperienced and ineffective. But Cayman does not need more politicians who are “experienced” in mismanaging our country. We need leaders who are honest, hardworking, and passionate about serving the people.
Caymanians must ask themselves: Do we want leaders who have already proven they will put their own interests first? Or do we want fresh voices who are ready to fight for the Caymanian people, unburdened by the failures of past governments?
A call to action: vote for change
Patriotic candidates represent the new Cayman, one that values honesty, hard work and dedication over political longevity. They are the fresh air this country desperately needs, and in 2025, it is time for Caymanians to take a stand and demand better.
This election is about choosing principles over politics, integrity over influence, and love for Cayman over love for power. The time for change is now. We must reject the same old empty promises and elect leaders who will truly serve the people.
The future of the Cayman Islands is at stake. Will we continue down the same path of corruption, economic disparity, and broken trust, or will we seize this moment to reclaim our country? The choice is in the hands of the voters, and the time for action is now.
Cayman needs new leadership, and in 2025, we have the chance to make it happen. Vote for patriotic candidates who will put Caymanians first. Vote for change.
Do you have an Election Viewpoint? Send it to news@caymannewsservice.com for consideration.
Check out the CNS Election Section interactive map to see who is running in each constituency.
See the list of candidates and their party affiliations here.
Category: Viewpoint
Make no mistake – A vote for this version of the PPM is a vote for the status quo. If you think Cayman is on the right track with unchecked development, an ever-expanding population of expats, a cruise ship dock what make Cayman beholden to the cruise lines and back-door deals with the development lobby – then by all means, vote for them. But if not, you’d better vote for someone else.
Written by a dreamer who is suggesting that experienced politicians are corrupt and unpatriotic , while inexperienced wannabe politicians are patriotic and not corrupt. If you have evidence of corruption (other than just your opinion but something that can hold up in court) please present it.If you don’t have this evidence then please come back with an apology. For too long people who have been elected have been attacked and accused without the accusers being held accountable. Time to stop.
One more thing be careful about social media influences. Remember how strongly they pushed for and got a Govt of independent (and inexperienced) candidates, then complained when it didn’t work out. Do your own research. Fact check any info (good or bad) received about candidates in your area,then make your decision . Don’t let any viewpoint convince you that experienced politicians are corrupt and inexperienced wannabe politicians are pure and patriotic.Check it out for yourself.
Ok. Lets pass on the corruption allegation – although how you explain the shenanigans over the dump cancellation, the selection of the East West arterial route, the obsession with puttibg in a crusie dock, the repeated waivers for developers, the failure to deal with the rottibg Hyatt structure, the unceasing attacks on the environment which only benefit investors.. – lets just go with incompetence. Massive spiralling of borrowing and government expenditure to the point where the auditor general warns that its unsustainable, but no one listens. Spending $50-80 million on a school for 209 pupils in the Premiers backyard. Aboslute failure to solve the traffic problems or wven do anything about them, let alone provide a decent public transportation system, even tho that would cost less than building more roads. You either have a tinfoil hat or your snout is in the trough too.
1.05 those are all the reasons NOT to vote PPM as they are now the party of Juju, Kenneth, Seymour, Mac , and Jay.
They are the main culprits of the irresponsible spending which has us in hundreds of Millions in debt. They want to add cruise piers at a cost of $450,000,000.
[PPM has joined the conversation]
Hi there – history has proven (and present day media has documented) multiple instances of questionable and nefarious acts and behaviors of our “respected” leaders. If your argument had been that this isn’t the case with every politician, then you might have been onto something – but to imply that there is none (and ask for an apology – are you serious!?) renders your comment severely lacking on the credibility-o-meter. And when you say “they” pushed for an independent government, who is ‘they’ in relation to candidates exactly? Your comment is all over the place and smacks of PPM or TCCP desperately trying to justify their incumbent presence and keep their jobs (can’t comment on CINP as they don’t seem to have any incumbents). It’s cute that you beg readers not to “let any viewpoint convince you” to choose patriotic candidates who seem to want better for this country after the previous track record of career politicians has shown a declining interest in just that. Otherwise, would we not be the greatest country on earth? We’ve had parties, we’ve had independents, we’ve had career politicians… I suggest we flush the whole damn lot and install a government that is made up of people who are sick and tired – like me, like you, like EVERYONE. Definition of insanity should have your photo next it.
Doing a job improperly for years, isn’t necessarily qualifying excellence. That’s just as true for politicians as it would be for any other occupation. We have too many career kleptocrats preconditioned to opaque irregularities, openly conspiring along party donor themes, and committed to that failing standard for a lengthy period. Voters need to press for a new wave of enhanced governance agency powers and public service standards that will force career kleptocrats towards one or more of resignation, retirement, or jail sentences.
Very well written and excellent reasoning. This reminds me of the 2017 Election when the PPM chose self-preservation and the continuation of old habits over the competence, honesty and vision of their Minister of Finance, Marco Archer. He had no political experience prior to being elected in 2013 but soon proved himself capable, was respected and admired by many, but that was seen as a threat to some.
Precisely. I totally agree. We need to stop the eroding of everything our forefathers built. Cayman is disintegrating while we watch while the ones who purport to fix the problems, are the ones that created them.
– then goes out and votes for the PPM that is full of familiar faces to do the exact same thing they have been doing for 20 years
Best view point to date. Well written and let’s hope the voters follow your advice