The Opposition welcomes the positive initiatives noted in the Government’s first-year anniversary report, including expanded early childhood education support, energy relief measures, and continued fiscal stability.
Where things have been done, it is right to acknowledge them.
However, Caymanians will also fairly ask an important question: after one year in office, how much of this report reflects real delivery versus plans, consultations, reviews and future intentions?
Much of the “Meaningful Momentum” Report shows little real momentum and instead outlines policies being developed, frameworks being reviewed, committees being established, or projects still listed as “in progress” or “upcoming.” While planning matters, Caymanians ultimately measure Government performance against the realities they face every day.
The Government itself identified major national priorities in its Strategic Policy Statement and Budget, including lowering the cost of living, lowering healthcare costs, resolving the affordable housing crisis, modernising immigration, improving education outcomes, investing in infrastructure, addressing environmental deterioration, and modernising public services. Caymanians will judge this Government not by the number of reports issued or consultations held, but by whether meaningful progress is being delivered on those core promises.
For many families, the real measure of success is whether life is becoming more affordable, and many Caymanians still do not feel meaningful relief in their daily expenses. Indeed, following Parliamentary Questions from the Opposition, the Government itself acknowledged that inflationary pressures and costs are expected to continue rising this year and next. The cost of groceries, housing, insurance, utilities and everyday living continues to place significant pressure on working families and seniors alike. Meanwhile, the promised review into lowering health insurance and healthcare costs has yet to meaningfully get underway.
Affordable housing remains out of reach for many working Caymanians. Traffic congestion continues to affect productivity and quality of life, and we are no closer to tangible improvements to public transportation. Questions also remain about the Government’s ability to deliver timely solutions to long-standing national challenges.
The clearest example is waste management. After one year, Caymanians still do not have a fully delivered long-term solution to the landfill crisis, despite repeated announcements, reviews and restructuring. Given that much of the current Government has had ongoing involvement with this issue for over six years, Caymanians are entitled to expect clearer direction, greater urgency, and more visible progress. The public continues to expect clear answers, firm timelines and decisive action on one of the country’s most pressing environmental and public health concerns.
Similarly, merely touting a new housing policy and a 10-year strategic plan are not, by themselves, actual homes. Caymanians want to know how many affordable homes are actually being delivered, when they will be delivered, and at what cost. Resolving the affordable housing crisis affecting Caymanians requires measurable delivery, not simply long-term policy documents. Despite repeated commitments, housing affordability has continued to worsen for many Caymanian families.
The current Minister has effectively held responsibility for housing for six years and has consistently described affordable housing as a national priority. Yet three years after the Opposition Leader, Hon. Joey Hew, brought forward proposals and a motion addressing affordable housing solutions, Caymanians are still waiting to see large-scale implementation and measurable delivery.
The Government deserves credit where progress has genuinely been achieved. But reports and announcements alone do not reduce grocery bills, shorten traffic delays, lower housing costs, or resolve the daily pressures facing ordinary Caymanians.
After a full year in office, Caymanians are entitled to expect not only vision documents and policy frameworks, but measurable outcomes and visible improvements in their daily lives.
The Opposition will continue to support initiatives that genuinely benefit the people of the Cayman Islands while also holding the Government accountable for ensuring that promises are translated into real, timely and effective delivery.
As the Government enters its second year in office, the focus must now shift from rhetoric and groundwork to implementation, measurable progress and tangible results for Caymanian families across all three islands. The Opposition will continue to insist on accountability and will closely monitor whether the Government delivers the positive change Caymanians were promised. Because Caymanians need results and not “Meaningful Momentum”