Candidates meet only basic requirements of register
(CNS): All 59 candidates who were nominated for office on Monday have met the legal requirement to file a Register of Interest submission by the deadline. However, members of the public who want to find out the true net worth, debts or conflicts of the candidates they will be choosing next month won’t find the full story on the register.
The requirements for disclosure are relatively limited in the first place, and many candidates have revealed only the very basic information needed to meet the letter of the law.
All candidates seeking elected office were required under the Constitution to file their declarations before Nomination Day.
The submissions from the candidates varied greatly. Some set out a considerable amount of information about their land holdings, companies, shares, other assets and loans, but others made very limited declarations. Most of the incumbent MPs are relying on the annual submissions they made last year, which were valid until July 2025, though both Joey Hew
Joey Hew (GTN incumbent) is the leader of the PPM (aka Progressives). He served as opposition leader from October 2024 until the dissolution of parliament. More, the current PPM leader, and Roy McTaggart, the previous PPM leader, submitted new registers as candidates.
Several candidates have contracts or do business with the government, including the UPM’s labour minister, Dwayne “John-John” Seymour, who owns Airport Professional Services, which has a contract with the Cayman Islands Airports Authority. However, he has not submitted any details, such as the value of the contract that has been in place since 2001 or the profit he makes as a result.
It is well documented that Seymour employs a number of people at this company on minimum wage, creating an obvious conflict that has not been addressed by the premier or the governor’s office. During his time as labour minister, he failed to implement the long-overdue increase to the basic pay, having rejected the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee.
While none of the other incumbents have contracts with government, Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden owns several companies, including National Security Services Ltd, which has 14 contracts with various government departments, a point she cited as a potential conflict. Michael Myles has two contracts with WORC for his training company, Inspire Cayman.
Many of the candidates own property, such as raw land, their family homes or property that provides an income. While several of the candidates listed the details of their homes and where their mortgages are held, some don’t reveal any details at all about their family homes or where they live. However, almost all candidates, with the exception of some of the youngest contenders, declared land ownership.
Several candidates mentioned their loans and mortgages. Sabrina Turner appears to have paid off her controversial CI$1.6 million bridging loan from Wayne Panton as it no longer appears on either candidates’ registered submissions.
Many of the candidates declared mortgages, business loans, and loans for cars and boats. McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (WBW incumbent) is the longest-serving member of parliament (the “Father of the House”), having represented West Bay continuously for three decades. More, who has long claimed that political life has left him broke, submitted his updated declaration in September, which shows a $1 million mortgage with JN Cayman and another personal loan of $48,000.
Bush declared just one company, Sapphire Group Ltd, but there are no details about that business. He also declared ownership of a number of properties, including land, and an apartment he leases to a tenant who receives money from the Department of Financial Assistance.
As expected, several candidates running on the Cayman Islands National Party ticket declared more than a few private sector interests. However, party leader Dan Scott
Dan Scott (CBE candidate) is the leader of the Cayman Islands National Party. He was EY regional manager until his retirement in June 2023. More revealed very little in terms of his assets, just CUC shares, indications regarding US treasuries and deposits, as well as land and property that he and his wife own on Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, East End and Savannah.
Wayne Panton and Gary Rutty have some of the most extensive land holdings of all the candidates. Those two and Hew listed several private sector companies. Hew, whose janitorial and restaurant supply business has contracts all over the islands with private sector companies, did not declare any contracts with the government. He listed a mortgage of CI$977,000 and a business loan with Cayman National of CI$1.3 million.
McTaggart listed Skylane Investments as a company registered here, which in turn owns 15 companies, all of which are registered overseas. No details were offered about any of these assets. Meanwhile, as a professional CIMA registered and regulated director, Alric Lindsey listed over 40 offshore entities for which he serves as a director.
Several candidates listed almost nothing, even some who appear to have assets, including land and companies. Osbourne Bodden did not list his small businesses, land or property on his entry as a candidate for election.
There are significant inconsistencies in the level of information shared on the register, which is held by the Standards in Public Life Commission. However, the SIPL does not cross-check or police it, relying on the candidates to be honest.
Members of the public are entitled to visit the register but the system does its best to discourage this. The register is only accessible at the commission’s office at the Financial Centre in George Town, and anyone who wants to see it must call first and make an appointment. They can only view the register in the office. No digital copying is allowed and no audio recording, use of a laptop or phone is permitted.
Viewers can take notes, but only with a pencil — as CNS did this week.
Anyone who feels that a candidate has not disclosed all of their assets, conflicts or liabilities as required under the law can report their concerns to the commission by emailing info@standardsinpubliclifecommission.ky
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: 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 […]
The Constitutional guidelines for the SIPL Commission are found in Section 117 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 (“the Constitution”)
#9. The functions of the Commission shall be:
– to assist in the setting of the highest standards of integrity and competence in public life in order to ensure the prevention of corruption or conflicts of interest;
– to monitor standards of ethical conduct in the Parliament, the Cabinet, and on the part of public authorities and public officers;
– to supervise the operation of registers of interest and to investigate breaches of established standards;
– to review and establish procedures for awarding public contracts;
– to review and establish procedures for appointing members to public authorities, and the terms of their appointment;
– to recommend codes of conduct to prevent any Minister, public authority or public officer employing their power for any personal benefit or advantage, and to recommend legislation to provide appropriate sanctions;
– to report to the Parliament at regular intervals, and at least every six months; and
– to exercise such other functions as may be prescribed by a law enacted by the Legislature.
I don’t care who ends up getting elected, i do care how much they earn doing it. Some of this lot have been paid millions for ‘serving’ the people and look where we are – nothing is better than it was if you’re not in the top 5 or 10%.
everything is worse.
everything.
so do yourselves a favour and vote out all incumbents. Not much will change, but at least we’ll be sharing the pot so to speak and not paying off ministers and party leaders massive mortgages for them while they go off on holiday and eat at all the best places
come on people. enough is enough
Agreed. Because clearly their ‘experience’ at doing whatever they’ve been doing has only benefitted a small few….and themselves.
how many have received indirect benefits received from Dart or his shell companies? And can someone tell me why in George Town North we have an eyesore of a derelict building that is the old hyatt, and yet no enforcement action has ever been taken to collect the $25,000 a day under Development and Planning Act (2021 Revision)”twenty-five thousand dollars per day from the date that the notice takes effect in accordance with section 29A(3) in relation to land or a building in a Hotel/Tourism zone or a Commercial zone as so defined”… can our elected officials confirm once and for all if it is one rule for Dart and one rule for everyone else?
we don’t like to take action against our very close friends
Joey wasn’t in cabinet the last 4 years. So why TCCP never enforced this when they took over?
Any candidate that not had enough sense or maturity to secure themselves some real estate is not qualified to lead this country and help secure a future for other young Caymanians
I’d love to know who owns land along the proposed EW Arterial and other major projects that are being rammed down our throats. That would be interesting to know before the election.
What happened to Wayne’s loan to Sabrina? Has that been forgiven?
Did you read the article? She has paid it off.
The article assumes it was paid off because it was not registered. It could also have been forgiven. Or not reported. Probably not the last one though.
JN Cayman gives an unhealthy, almost 70-year-old, politician a $1 million mortgage? No risk there. lol. I guess Caymanians claiming they can’t get a loan to buy a house haven’t tried JN Cayman.
This is why I feel they should all have to declare their ‘friends in high places’.
Did Jon Jon list anything? What about JOCC?
Do you really believe the likes of Dumdum, Juju, Mac or Kenneth even know the meaning of “conflict of interest”.?
And do you think that anyone scrutinizing their SIPL responses either cares, or is willing to do anything about it..?
Under vehicles, he listed 2 donkeys.
Why am I not surprised by Ozzie’s lack of declaration? They should also make him declare how much he took from the public’s purse as the Chair of the HSA over the past three years.
As a BTW voter, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. The incumbent cannot point to any achievements that merits me helping to send him back to public office (in fact he allegedly used his time while there for activities I did not hire him for).
As a driftwood, I cannot in good conscience support Ozzie who wants me to still feel like a second-class citizen even after 45 years of living here.
Haymond I know nothing about, I hear he is educated, but may be naive as to how the Government works.
Haymond is a decent guy and as a new MP Will be guided by more experienced colleagues and parliamentary staff.
If DuWane dumbdum can do it, Haymond certainly can, and he will be a far better choice.
Haymond is not a much better driver than John John.
If you know, you know.
“ As an Attorney-at-Law, Haymond has built a reputation for integrity, leadership, and results. He made history as the youngest Acting Deputy Ombudsman in the Cayman Islands, where he led high-impact investigations, strengthened oversight mechanisms, and championed greater transparency and accountability.
Today, as Associate Director at Cayman Finance, he is at the forefront of fintech and virtual asset development—advancing policies that drive economic growth, create jobs, and reinforce Cayman’s position as a global financial leader.
Haymond’s dedication to community service is reflected in his extensive government and civic involvement. He has served as Chairman of the Pharmacy Council, a member of the Health Practice Commission, and a committee member of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. These roles demonstrate his steadfast commitment to improving healthcare, strengthening public institutions, and empowering the next generation.
With a wealth of experience across both the public and private sectors, Haymond Rankin is ready to bring bold, solutions-driven leadership to Bodden Town West. He is committed to fostering economic opportunity, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that the voices of his constituents are heard and valued.” https://nationalparty.ky/candidate/haymond-rankin/
Do they think we are this stupid? This is why they all seek political office, both those hopefuls and the veteran office holders. It’s a [expletive] gravy train, and there isn’t anyone that lacks moral ethics that wouldn’t want to sit in that chair.
I believe there are scant few among the less than 60 political hopefuls that possess true ethics and a desire to benefit the majority of Caymanians. Certainly not enough to form a government — by my measure — even if they were fortunate enough to win.
So where does that leave us? Nearly hopeless. The almost certain powers will have their way with us, and we will have to pay and pay more for their dreams and largess. When they’ve wrung all they can from us, we will become NAU recipients, and ride out the rest of our hapless days looking at the sea and remembering times long past when we were kings of our existence.
Wutless. The system, the politicians, the graft, the lobbies, it all benefits them, not us. If you are lucky enough to be part of CIG, you are lucky enough, and good for you. I wish you well. They will come, eventually, for your dollars also, when they have drained us of all of ours.
Shady before they even get into office. Can imagine the shadiness when they get in!
No need to imagine when we’re already living the consequences.