Merren misses forum Q&A for open GTW seat
(CNS): Craig Merren (CINP) became the first of the challengers in this election who missed the Chamber Candidate Forum after two incumbents, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly
Juliana O'Connor-Connolly (CBE incumbent) is running with the PPM. She is the current premier and has been minister of education since May 2017. More (PPM) and 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 (IND), both failed to show up for their respective Q&A sessions. Merren told CNS that he had a family emergency on Monday and missed the chance to line up with the other three contenders battling it out for the open seat of George Town West.
“I will continue to push forward till the very end of this very historic election and carry out my mission, along with the rest of my CINP team members, to win a majority,” Merren told us.
“I want to express my love and support to the GTW constituency and let them know that I will continue to push forward for their families and the many issues we are facing in our dear beloved Cayman today. I want you to look on the bright side, that on 1 May 2025, a new chapter in your lives with Unity, Prosperity, Hope for Cayman Islands and our future generations.”
In his absence, Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden (PPM) and two independent candidates, Hunter Walton (the only one to draw attention to Merren’s absence) and Tyree Hernandez, answered the twelve Chamber questions, which covered the key subjects of housing, the cost of living, traffic and education, among other issues.
Hernandez had his own unique selling point as he claimed he was the only candidate in the entire election campaign who was running on the issue of cutting public spending.
McGaw-Lumsden was articulate in pushing the PPM party policies, claiming that the PPM is the only party that can make the tough decisions in tough times and get things done.
She revealed that if the party forms the next government, they will be building on the crown land acquired for the National Housing Development Trust in the South Sound mangrove basin, despite claims in its manifesto that the party intends to protect the environment.
McGaw-Lumsden, who is campaigning for the fourth time, having run with the UDP in 2009 and as an independent in 2021, also said the PPM would be giving concessions to developers who included affordable homes in their projects.
Walton said he did not trust the PPM as they have been very good at giving concessions but only to luxury developers.
He said the property market would change if the policy to give points for residency applications came to an end because the demand for more expensive properties would drop. He also said Cayman needed a rent control board.
Hunter also said that if elected, he would seek to ensure that no businesses would get any government contracts without a commitment to employ and train young Caymanians looking for work. He also called for expanding social services and said he wanted government to have a cash distribution centre in every district where people could collect cash when they need it.
In a question about revitalising George Town, McGaw-Lumsden, whose husband has been in charge of the project, said the inadequate parking problem will be solved with public transport and flexible working hours.
However, the planning department revealed in 2018 that there were already 14,000 parking spaces in George Town that were all under-used. This is because of poor planning regulations that require excessive parking for buildings even if they have few visitors. No government has seen fit to address the problem and free up the concrete spaces that sit empty day after day.
Although many people believe that the George Town Revitalization Initiative has failed and made things worse than it was before it began more than five years ago, McGaw-Lumsden said the project was a PPM initiative that the party would continue once elected.
While Hernandez claimed he was the only candidate campaigning to cut spending, he nevertheless offered his wholehearted support to free meals in schools because, he said, “Everybody gets hungry.” Every day the government was wasting money, but this was necessary spending, he said.
See the full forum on YouTube 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
And yet he still won’t hands down.
I’d rather know Mr. Merren didn’t ignore his family to attend a forum and answer Chamber member questions only, non from the average Joe. Meetings are what I look forward to, when we hear what we really need to hear. How many didn’t attend Radio Cayman forums? Come to my house, talk to me, let’s get to know each other and forget the doggone forums! Mr. Alric did excellent at the forum 4 years ago, where did that get him? Waste of time! Thankful they’re over. I couldn’t take another “feh” set of questions anyway. Sadly, no CINP candidate in my constituency or that’s the direction I would go. So far, they are saying what I need to hear.
All 3 did a terrible job.
Wishing his family well. But even without debating he is the best choice. Sports ministry would benefit hugely from him
It’s unfortunate Mr Merren couldn’t attend, but this is life and it shows his commitment to family emergency is as important to him or anyone that’s he’s human and he cares that much about his family as much as any of us are. Have to remember, he’s taken another step in his life, away from family to offer his own full support as a representative, in one of highest levels one can offer for their country and people. I take my hat off to him and wish Mr Merren well.
@Stefano, I wish you had posted your full name to give you right recognition for this considerate and insightful comment. As humans the nature is usually to gravitate towards the negative reasons. Those who know Craig Merren know he take his word as his bond.
I cannot get caught up in the why nor why not but I can imagine–as a personal opinion–he would have been.
That man was deathly afraid of being exposed in this debate. Reading from a script on stage is much easier than being put on the spot for unknown questions and he was not about to show viewers that he has no idea what he is doing. Credit to all of the candidates that actually show for these debates.
Most do read their speeches, but I have seen craig demonstrated he doesn’t need them. He speaks from the heart about the issues. Yes you can look at the paper, based on the subject and look up and continue on. He done a great job at his Melmac meeting, Windsor Park and ALT. His delivery’s are spot on. Boy talks with real Caymanian passion too. wish I could vote for him
@3:02 p.m. respectfully I suggest maybe attending his meetings…in person, or watch on YouTube. One thing about Craig. He is respectfully to all but the only candidate aside from the Incumbents and Leon Gould who has evidenced knowing what goes on in Parliament on a regular. Just the small details.
Huh? Leon ? WTH, do you know his past? Have you heard the accusations on CMR?