Desperate for national unity says candidate

(L-R) The Hon Linford Pierson, Gary Rankin,
John Henry Ebanks, Alden McLaughlin and
Lucille Seymour

Thursday,  April 28, 2005

Newcomers to the political arena, Gary Rankin of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) and John Henry Ebanks of the United Democratic Party (UDP), joined a more politically seasoned threesome at Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce (CICC) District Candidates’ Forum on Monday 27 April.

The Hon Linford Pierson of the PDA as well as Alden McLaughlin and Lucille Seymour, both People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) candidates were the veterans of the political foray at the debate.

As the candidates came to the end of a session that included a wide range of issues in questions posed by the audience, Lucille Seymour described the forum as one that “forces you,” as in participating candidates, “to be au fait with what is happening in society” due to the fact that all questions are not seen beforehand by the candidates and the questions from the audience which are submitted throughout the course of the forum, are even more wide-ranging. 

Subjects covered this time included transparency, the Constitution, recovery and National Unity.

One question, which hadn’t been addressed in any of the previous forums and one the candidates were unlikely to be able to predict, surrounded the new village being created by Dart Management.

All candidates approved of the project, pointing to the fact that the new village would decentralise economic and social activity, and even help address peak hour traffic problems that now exist with so many people working in George Town. 

Mr McLaughlin however also noted that he would be opposed to the project if through it there would be “the creation of an elite community.”

Mrs Seymour, Mr Ebanks and Mr McLaughlin also pointed to the need for development in the eastern districts.

On the question of a new constitution Mr Pierson said that this should be a priority item of the new government taking office, and should include a Bill of Rights and a move to single member constituencies. 

Mr Rankin described the need for greater transparency from the Government, and later on in his closing remarks he eluded to the problem again when he said that in the future life of the Cayman Islands, “the most important element should be transparency, written into a revised constitution.” 

Mr Ebanks said, “It is not good to be debating a constitution too long. We need to have a measure of what is important in our constitution and then have a referendum on the matter.” 

Mr McLaughlin, defending the need for free speech through the media said: “Freedom of the press and freedom of information should be constitutionally-based requirements.” He also added that there should be “the right for the people to initiate the process of a referendum.”

Asked whether the system of work permits was working effectively Mrs Seymour said, “The document that was in fact initiated by Kurt Tibbetts, is working well.” She however added that careful attention should be given to the provisions made for Caymanian employees in the workplace.

All other candidates primarily agreed that the system worked well. However, Mr McLaughlin said, “there has been abuse of key employee provisions which has left the advancement of Caymanians seriously affected.”

Mr Pierson said the system could “benefit from improvement,” while Mr Rankin said that the submission and enforcement of Business Plans that have been submitted is a key factor in the success of the work permit system.

In their closing remarks Mr McLaughlin said that the PPM’s bid was to “advance a country that was desperate for national unity.” 

Mr Pierson said that in helping to form the next government the PDA would have a focus on the recovery process as well as other urgent matters, while Mr Ebanks asked the public to think seriously about what you have (with respect to leadership) and whether it needs fixing.”

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