Candidates Craig Frederick, Gary Rutty and Alric Lindsay outlined distinct visions for the future of George Town South during a Chamber of Commerce debate on 3 April, highlighting differences on key issues including housing, fiscal management, education and cruise tourism.
Frederick, running for the People’s Progressive Movement, emphasised experience and stability. He underscored his commitment to creating modern, eco-friendly, affordable housing and firmly opposed the development of high-rise buildings along the waterfront.
“Housing is something we can tackle immediately,” Frederick said. “I’m talking about modern, safe, eco-friendly housing for our Caymanians.” Frederick said.
He also highlighted the importance of revitalising George Town through “urban living” projects and enhanced parking facilities.
Gary Rutty, the Cayman Islands National Party candidate, strongly differed, particularly regarding affordable housing. Rutty opposed multi-storey affordable housing developments, advocating instead for traditional housing with outdoor spaces.
“Our children deserve a yard that they can go out and play in… not be stacked up on top of one another,” he said.
Independent candidate Alric Lindsay, meanwhile, proposed a cautious approach focused on developing a long-term plan before approving significant new developments. Lindsay emphasised the need for affordable mixed-use developments and criticised the absence of a comprehensive development strategy.
“We need a revised long-term development plan first to inform us of what we’re going to look like,” Lindsay said.
The candidates sharply diverged on education policy as well. Rutty supported introducing school choice, allowing parents to redirect public education funds to private or overseas schools, criticising current public school outcomes as “unacceptable.”
Frederick, however, opposed the proposal outright, advocating for strengthened public schools, calling on more Caymanians to enter teaching. Lindsay preferred addressing underlying issues such as student mental health to improve existing schools rather than diverting funds.
Addressing traffic congestion, Frederick proposed completing the East-West Arterial road, introducing flexible working hours and improving public transportation. Rutty favoured mandatory school bus services and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Lindsay echoed support for mandatory bussing but also recommended creating a “Cayman Transit Company.”
Fiscal responsibility also emerged as a crucial topic. Rutty called for stringent controls on government spending, suggesting the nation has a “mismanaged spending problem” rather than a revenue shortfall. Frederick highlighted the PPM’s track record, pledging experienced fiscal oversight. Lindsay, drawing on his background as an accountant, criticised past governments for “deliberately misstating financial statements” and demanded greater transparency.
On cruise tourism, Rutty firmly opposed large-scale cruise berthing facilities, criticising the existing tourism product as “absolutely garbage” and calling for smaller, luxury-focused cruise tourism instead.
Lindsay also strongly opposed major cruise infrastructure, citing environmental concerns and fears of cruise lines dominating local businesses.
“My view is that the cruise ships simply want to control our product,” he said. “They currently do the tours on board, and the people on the ground are getting a small percentage of that tour price.”
Frederick took a different stance, supporting controlled cruise berthing development to maintain competitiveness and support local entrepreneurs.
“Between the two sectors of tourism, we have the most Caymanians actually business owners in the cruise industry. So we’re now saying to them that you’re not important?” he asked.
