Welcome tells Hew he had 12 years to get it right
(CNS): Romellia Welcome, who is challenging PPM leader and would-be premier 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, pointed out that as the representative of George Town North, he’s had twelve years to put things right. But the empty promises made were all forgotten after the election, she said at the Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on Monday.
Welcome never missed a chance to challenge Hew’s record and what she said was his failure to help the many people in need in the constituency, even when she sought his support to do so.
The independent candidate, who was the only person willing to take on Hew, said she had refused to let him go unchallenged, and it was ironic that she now had to sit and listen to him “say what he has done” when so many people in GTN were living in deplorable conditions.
Welcome spoke about a constituency of two halves. While Hew may have pandered to special interests and the needs of one set (referring indirectly to the constituency’s wealthier residents living off the West Bay Road and the canal front homes of Snug Harbour), he had ignored the most vulnerable and needy.
While Hew blamed the nation’s problems on the previous PACT/UPM
PACT was a group of independent MPs who came together after the 2021 elections to form a government. It later became the UPM. More administration, even though three of its members have joined the Progressives platform, Welcome blamed him.
She said Hew had never “stepped up to the plate” to support her and other constituency activists who are doing their best every day to help the elderly, at-risk youth, and thesick and vulnerable members of the community.
Welcome, who has been a local community activist for many years, may not have had the polished, prepared policy ideas that Hew articulated, but she forced him to respond to her allegations about his failings. She repeatedly called him out on his record in office, cutting the time he had to outline what the public can expect if he becomes Cayman’s fifth premier.
As the Chamber executives rattled off the predictable and often loaded questions that have been posed in one form or another to all of the candidates so far, despite her lack of political experience, Welcome held her own. She also made it clear that she was motivated to win the seat so that she would be in a better position to address the real suffering of the people in her community.
When it comes to resolving some of the country’s specific problems, Welcome was quick to point out Hew’s failings, regardless of his claims that he had not been able to do much because he was in opposition over the last four years.
When asked about the George Town landfill, a national issue also at the heart of GTN, Welcome said that as much as 20% of the waste going to the landfill was vegetation that could be mulched and composted. She said over the last twelve years we could have already introduced recycling, which would have provided local jobs and cut the growth of the dump. But, she said, Hew had “kicked that can all the way down the road to the landfill”.
Hew said the collapse of the ReGen talks means the next government will have to work quickly to find a new location for another lined landfill until a new waste-to-energy or other technological solution can be found. He also spoke about the need to step up recycling to reduce waste up to 50%. “We are now in a crisis situation,” Hew said, even in the face of his challenger’s comments about his role in the country’s failure to deal with its rubbish.
When Hew spoke about the need for taller buildings, Welcome answered with an emphatic ‘no’. She voiced the position many Caymanians have that the landscape has been ruined enough and the country needs to pause the construction and development. The government should instead focus on fixing and repairing the terrible housing that people must live in.
Welcome also argued against the public purse paying for the renourishment of Seven Mile Beach. She said it was “on them” (the owners) because they had chosen to build so close to the water after they had been told what would happen. The people should not have to foot the bill for their sand, Welcome said, adding that in future, no one should be allowed to build so close to the water.
Hew agreed that the setbacks must be addressed. But he spoke only about moving them to the vegetation line. He also dismissed imposing a mandated managed retreat for existing properties. He confirmed his government would spend public money in partnership with owners to renourish the beach.
The PPM leader spoke about a fund being created from tourism fees to keep paying for future renourishment — in a tacit acknowledgment of the fact that the costly project is only a temporary fix and without a managed retreat, it will need to be done over and over again.
This evening, the three candidates in George Town Central, Carmen McField (CINP), Anthony Ramoon (TCCP) and the incumbent Kenneth Bryan
Kenneth Bryan (GTC incumbent) is deputy premier and tourism minister with the UPM while campaigning with the PPM as deputy leader of the party. More (PPM), will meet on the same platform for the first time during this campaign.
See Wednesday’s full forum below:
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 […]
Hats off to her but Romelia is an absolute joke. What exactly are we supposed to do with a representative who cannot carry a half decent conversation much less debate in parliament or speak to international leaders? This is a set up and the people who are backing her, including media houses should be ashamed of themselves!
To 5:40 pm: Thank you! People need to understand that with their vote, they are responsible for sending qualified people to parliament.
So you’re saying Romelia meets the threshold that more than 50% of the current crop of elected officials struggle to meet.
Joey has had his time. Romelia isn’t going to be Premier, she’s going to be a voice for GTN and no interest in anything else. The elitist non-answers from Joey (and others, not just Joey) were expected and typical from an entirely out of touch candidate way too comfortable and believing his/her own press.
Change it up Cayman. Now is your chance.
To 8:25am: Except it does not work that way. No candidate can get to parliament and then work only for their corner. There are committees to join, there are national issues to discuss, bills and laws to create or fix. We need 19 people who are able to handle that work. Some of the incumbents struggle, much less if we send people who are lacking the necessary skills from the beginning.
So you would rather vote for the guy clearly in the pocket of vested interests, with criminal convictions, as loyal as a snake and with a thirst to be Premier, and who has shown complete incompetence at actually managing his brief whilst spending money like water than the honest person who lacks charisma and public speaking skills? Id rather vote for a box of squid than Kenny.
He’ll end up in opposition again, but I cannot, in all good conscience, send that citizen that parliament. The full scope of the job requires far more than what she can handle. I am sorry, but part of our job as voters is to be responsible with our choices. Again, please think of all three islands, not just GTN.
Ms. Welcome is an angry uneducated woman. Mr. Hew is a poorly educated elitist with little leadership skills. What a choice.
We’ve had our experience with the “poorly educated elitist”.
I’m also angry.
I’d like to give the “angry educated woman” a chance. She will do less damage than the incumbent.
To 1:58pm: People gave Joey a chance, too. Now look where GTN is. Having said, that, this is not just about GNT. The people we send to parliament must be able to do the work for all three islands (and there is plenty work to be done!) It requires a lot more than going on YouTube and berating the incumbent. She is not qualified. The smartest option is to identify a stronger candidate for next election.
The Hyatt building at the Camana Bay roundabout is a national disgrace. Who’s district is it in? Only had 12 years to address.
The Dump is a national disgrace. Who’s district is it in? Just 12 years to address.
The Hilton hotel construction site next to the cemetery is a national disgrace, nobody ever working on it since last year? The fact it obtained planning permission basically on the cemetery? Who’s district is it in? Just 12 years to address
The monstrous new Hyatt development is a national disgrace. And just wait for the traffic issues once it is operational. Who’s district is it in?
How do so many national eyesores and questionable situations arise in one district? Is this just chance and coincidence? Can’t possibly be anything else, right? Anyone?
The NCB development next to the cemetery is obviously in limbo/standstill due, presumably, to financial difficulties .
The old adage “Bit off more than they could chew” seems to be the case here.
Lest we forget the Glasshouse. What’s good for the goose must be good for the gander.
Something isn’t right there.
I wonder if there was a more realistic opposition to Joey whether they would have challenged him on his close ties to Dart, and why Dart is not being fined $25k a day for the eyesore that is the Hyatt? Clearly CIG has one law for the 800lb gorilla and another law for us lowly plebs.
I agree with most of the general criticisms Ms Welcome has in regard to the PPM and Mr Hew, and I don’t think you need to be a professional public speaker to be an MP, she was also quite clearly nervous which is understandable, but I have to agree it was not a great performance on her part.
Some of the substance of her answers was lacking and she was clearly not comfortable addressing some topic areas as much as I would love to pretend that she demolished him – she was fighting to overcome her nerves and collect her thoughts as much as she was fighting Hew which is unfortunate.
I do think its a shame that he is likely to be reelected at this point despite his series of prominent failures in government, its not enough to simply challenge someone on their failings you have to be able to have voters feel confident that you can surpass that person in office and on that point I do not think Ms Welcome succeeded.
GTN deserves someone who will show up, call it like it is, and work hard for them, not for some corrupt developer. Only one of them has a career record of doing the opposite. Romelia wants to help, and that puts her far in the lead on a quality basis.
Now that Joey has added Kenny and Judasanna to his group, what is the PPM stance on the actions taken by kenney to compulsory acquisition Mr. Chris Johnson’s land on the waterfront?
There are 1,365 registered voters in GTN. Although I admit that we want the PPM out, I hope the vast majority of said voters are learned enough to recognize that we are better off returning Joey to parliament. We can spend the next three years identifying a suitable opponent for him; we can press him to set up the district council; we can set up a constituency score card to keep him on his toes, but for God sake, do not elect this lady. She does not have what it takes to be an effective MP. Simple as that.
That’s right, PPM all the way.
To 9:50am and 10:00am: It is not about PPM, really. Is that GTN shot itself in the foot by not identifying a stronger opponent. Sad.
A vote for Joey (or anyone in the PPM) is a vote for Mack/Saunders/Jon Jon and Kenny.
Go Romellia!!!
Sounds like some of the ppl of GTN tried that for 12 yrs and they are now fed up
‘She does not have what it takes to be an effective MP. Simple as that.’
Neither to do all the rest of them that have been in there for years to profit their own pockets! Simple as that.
Including Joey Who!
The Kenneth/Jujudas cabal will remove Joey at the first opportunity and we’ll be back to a Mac run UDP government of unprincipled self seekers.
PPM ain’t PPM any more, just a new name for the same leeches that have amassed a huge debt to fuel their personal interests.
Granted, Joey being in opposition freed him to address constituency matters, so he has not done himself any favors. However, the common complaint in all constituencies is that: “the incumbent has not done much (if anything) in X years”. Why is that? Because once anyone gets into parliament, there is constant work to be done and nothing gets done quickly. Every step of the way requires patience and people skills. No matter how much they promise to do now, no one can steam roll their way to solve this or that for their constituency. If she wins, in four years’ time she, too, will be scrambling to explain why she did little or nothing. Voters, please, vote with your brain, not your gut. We need people in Cabinet who have the skills, the professional acumen, and the emotional intelligence to work with others and solve our problems. Being “feisty” is not enough. It is our vote that puts people in parliament who are not fit for the job. Think about that carefully, because we are standing on the edge…
https://caymannewsservice.com/elections2025/2025/03/10/to-anyone-bashing-their-mp-for-going-awol-the-past-four-years/
Rubbish. Correct ‘favour’, you are not in USA.
12:59pm: For your edification: favor (USA) favoUr (UK) You are welcome.
That is what poster pointed out FAVOUR, not USA
For your ignormus edification: FAVOUR
Not USA.
Roy McTaggart could not even hold a SINGLE constituency meeting in FOUR YEARS while in the opposition. People aren’t asking for much.
Don’t vote for him then. It’s not that difficult.
Vote for Romelia, GTN you need honest representation and a change. Also vote NO to the cruise terminal, we don’t need it!
Romelia can be an effective community activist, and helpful proponent for better living standards for the people in her constituence.It appears she already is.
However,her educational defecits cannot be overlooked.
Not everyone need to be an electe3
To 3:28am: Thank you!
And how highly educated is Hew? He is just a Dart and other money developers lackey.
‘defecits’ you are one to talk..LOL
Well it wasn’t very “educational” of me to try posting while going 140mph don a runnaway. I’ll give you that.
Somehow I manage to prematurely post my comment.
Perhaps, you weren’t keen enough to recognize that “electe3” was girbbish.I suspect you would have lend your focus to that very, very important fact.
But yes I can “talk”, and as a CPA I can also “count”.
Focus on the subject of the conversation and your contribution in the discourse maybe(just maybe)more productive.
Huh? LMAO ‘girbbish’
CPA: Certainly Pathetic Android
The same educated people who sold out the country for the past 40+ years. I rather vote for someone who has common sense , ambition and have patriotic love for their country. I’m sick and tired of the educated sell outs that only good for bending over and played like a fiddle for the rich.
Joey Hew has zero academic or professional qualifications. He is unfit to lead any party much less the Cayman Islands.
He failed his courses at Santa Fe Community College in Florida. He is not qualified in anything. I went to school with him.
Politics has made him a multi-millionaire and his source of wealth and his pecuniary interests including his family needs to be investigated under the anti-corruption laws.
Romelia never had the opportunities he was given. Joey has failed at everything he touches. He is sponsored and supported by wealthy developers that is why he does whatever they command. He has sold out Cayman and is the typical Jamaican JLP style politician.
Many of us (yes heritage Caymanian households) in this electoral district (living there for more than 5 election cycles) have never heard of Ms Welcome. So one cannot say she is a ‘community leader’. Joey has been very approachable and helpful to his constituents even during national emergencies (Covid pandemic and hurricanes etc).
She did a horrible job last night but props to her for trying. Joey will get back in unfortunately.
The “unfortunately” is aimed at the parasites Joey will inflict on Caymanians.
PPM is now Kenneth Dumbdum Mac Juju and Saunders. That is the price we will pay when voting for Joey.
Criticize Romelia as you wish, but she will not be a self seeking thief and will be a worker under a , hopefully new , leadership.
Not all MPs can be Queen bees, we also need worker bees for our hives to thrive.
Romelia on a level with Maxine.
Absolutely not. Not suitable for parliament. A district council representative is one thing, an MP is another entirely. Completely out of her depth. Would you send her to any major forum to represent the Cayman Islands? Do you seriously believe she could prepare motions, dissect bills or debate laws? I am no PPM fan, but GTN, please do not embarrass us. Whoever encouraged this citizen to run for office is either delusional or totally clueless as to what it involves. Democracy means dialogue, not attacking someone as soon as you face a mic. Deplorable.
When Romellia Welcome was announced as a candidate for GTN on this news website, I admitted that I had no idea who she was. I even wondered if it was simply because I’m too young. I got downvoted to oblivion for saying that.
After watching last night’s forum, it became painfully clear that Ms. Welcome is completely out of her depth—it was honestly difficult to watch at times. I respect her for stepping up to challenge the incumbent, but is this really the best representation we young Caymanians have been given to vote against the corrupt PPM? It’s actually depressing ngl.
Even with a prepared script, she struggled to read and deliver her points properly. That alone was embarrassing. At one point, she was asked about the implementation of AI in the workplace, how it’s shaping different industries, and how Caymanians can be equipped for such transitions. If I recall correctly, her response focused on field trips for the youth and trade schools… Like, did she even grasp the complexity and significance of the question? That was the moment I fully realized how few educated Caymanians we have to represent my generation and the younger ones in our elections. No wonder the system has been so corrupt for so long because it is the blind leading the blind, and the uneducated leading the uneducated (this is not necessarily anything to do with Ms. Welcome, just a reality I came to realise last night). This is why we absolutely NEED educational reform, keeping the voting public dumb allows them to keep making dumb decisions such as voting in the hogwash politicians we have had for decades!
Just to be clear—this is in no way, shape, or form an endorsement of Joey Hew or the PPM. The mere thought of them makes my blood boil. Their years of incompetence, greed, and corruption have left me and countless others suffering to this day.
Having now listened to Ms. Romellia Welcome for the first time, I can only say that much is left to be desired. We have to be fair in admitting that. Come April 30th, VOTE PPM OUT.
To 4:55 pm:
Finally! Someone who understands my position. We are seriously lacking as voters; that is why we elect unqualified candidates. Every time I explain this, I get a slew of down votes, but it is the simple reality—GIGO. We send donkeys and bullies to parliament, then expect them to excel in Cabinet. We need young, professional people, and we need to encourage them to cut the umbilical chord from nefarious old-time practices. We need a moratorium on work permits. We need a complete overhaul of the laws that govern the civil service to root out bureaucracy and increase transparency and efficiency! Only then, will we be able to start stepping forward again.
This is by a black person so no racism at all, but the terms angry black woman kept coming to my mind as I watched the debate. We need leaders who understand the issues, can think at a strategic level and evaluate solutions without blind emotions.
Cayman, think about this, each time we elect a new person to Parliament they vest a lifetime of pension benefits at the public expense for simply working 8 years. We invested in the incumbent, paid for information he would have received as minister to aid his understanding of current issues, and will already pay for his retirement.
Do you want to start another cycle with another person, would you run your own company that way, constantly hiring, training, offering retirement packages, then changing the employee every few years once they get up to speed? I think not.
Joey is the evil I know, I shudder to think what Ms. Welcome will do if given power.
Admittedly, we need to change Joey—but we need a better candidate and honestly, this lady is not it.
Go for it Ms Welcome, truth is the truth and about time somebody stood up to them, never mind if your ‘policies are not as polished’. They have had years, accomplished nothing except for themselves through kissing the backsides of the wealthy and only recycling is the garbage that still comes from their mouths.
Joey represents all that is wrong with elected officials. Forget where they came from, and cozy up to the big boys.
Romellia isn’t a professional politician. And that is one of her major advantages. The other major advantage is that she genuinely does have a handle on what it is like in Cayman for the 90% that don’t have Joey’s interest.
Romellia could easily win this seat if people stop buying the usual nonsense coming from Joey that will never come to fruition. (BTW, Joey is no different than most incumbents).
The top 10% of this country will be fine no matter WHO gets elected. Do not believe the nonsense of the captured incumbents – Cayman isn’t going to suffer one bit if Joey or Kenny or JuLianna can’t get reelected (again and again and again).
The 90% of us need people like Romellia. More than the incumbents know.
If we dont take this opportunity now, you watch how many of the re-elected Politicians do NOT do anything promised and head off on vacation within weeks, sat at the front of the plane.
Believe in Romellia and others like her. give them a chance, finally. It will not get worse for you. But if you return the same old politicians, it will not get any better for you.
Credit to Romelia, but if you honestly think she should be in a position of power in government, I am frightened for you.
When the options are her or absentee MP and Dart’s lapdog Joey “Who?!”, then yeah, I guess she is our best option for who should be in a position of power.
To 6:06pm
As I said earlier: Do you think she can prepare motions, dissect bills or debate laws? Have you looked at a bill during public consultation? It is pages and pages of information and MPs need to read all that and understand it better than the people in the street so they can make reasonable points. They also need to be able to get people to cooperate with them every day in all different settings. No; you know she is not up for that.
I agree with your assessment of her inability to handle legislative duties and process reams of information.
However I cannot get over the damage that Joey has done to our island or the fact that he is now aligned with some bad actors.
If I step back and look at the big picture, I would prefer to prevent Joey from getting in.
I believe that most of Romellia’s efforts will be at the local level and towards the 90% as referenced by Anonymous at 03/04/2025 at 1:33 pm
She doesn’t have the ambition to be in power, her most useful service will be to prevent PPM from being in power.
The Ci Yacht club crowd will just have to find a new behind to kiss.
2:21pm: Award for the most tunnel-vision comment.
To 1:33pm: Sorry. This goes beyond asking someone to hold your earrings and your shoes while you act as a bully. The lady might be fine as a constituency advocate, but in all conscience, responsible voters must ensure they send people to parliament who can actually do parliamentary work.
Credit to Romelia for putting herself forward, but it’s clear she is out of her depth. She couldn’t even read her own script.
Romelia didn’t put herself forward, she was put forward.
True and the person responsible should be ashamed of himself. Making a mockery out of her just so Joey wouldn’t be running unopposed.
A credit to our edumacation system.
Same edumification has not hurt Mac has it.?
Joey can’t keep his own promises, which is worse?
Joey is a useful “go to” person for those in the CI Yacht club and Dart social circuit seeking favors, Government contracts and consultancies .
Romelia does not feature in their ambitions.