Nearly five months after acknowledging the potential effects of this crisis, the Government still had not implemented an economic recovery plan. Their indecisive leadership has resulted in further loss of jobs for Caymanians and hardships for small businesses. The UDP understands the relationship between economic development and the quality of lives of our people. We have consulted with many key stakeholders on their needs and will implement the following short-to-medium term economic recovery plan immediately if elected to office. We will also establish a long term economic development plan for the country. Our key strategies include:

• Ensuring that Caymanians are protected in the work force
• Putting measures in place to assist Caymanian homeowners
• Implementing a small business stimulus and recovery plan
• Protecting and enhancing the financial services industry
• Implementing strategies to assist and promote our tourism industry
• Developing an aggressive plan to identify and attract new industry to diversify the economy

The PPM administration has burdened the Cayman Islands with record levels of national debt and Government spending. At the same time, the PPM has stood idly by as the island’s economy shrank every year since 2005, when this government came into power. Fiscal management is essential to good governance. The UDP is committed to the Principles of Sound Financial Management. But we believe that fiscal responsibility must go much further. We will implement fiscal policies to give investors and businesses confidence in our economy.

• We are committed to restoring credible and effective fiscal management to the public sector. This includes transparent and timely audits.
• We will reprioritise government spending so that current cash flows better meet the Government’s needs.
• We will introduce measures to stimulate the economy and boost government revenues.
• Together with the Chief Officers, we will carry out a review of every government department, and work to implement sustainable plans for their improved productivity and efficiency.
• We will implement an aggressive strategy to ensure that we reduce any deficit spending of the current PPM government.

Our financial services industry has endured many trials over the years, but now faces unprecedented challenges from both a domestic and international perspective. After four years of neglect by the PPM government, our financial services industry has been left without the appropriate policy support and is now facing several critical challenges: The United Democratic Party understands the issues that this important industry faces. We know that the industry represents a vital opportunity for Caymanians, not only for employment but as an opportunity for them to become entrepreneurs in their own right. These issues must be addressed urgently and effectively, and UDP will take action to protect this vital industry and improve the benefits to Caymanians by doing the following:

• We will establish a financial services training program targeted at Caymanians
• Putting in place a fully-functioning Financial Services Secretariat to support the Minister with responsibility for the financial services industry
• We will put in place a properly funded local and international marketing and promotional program for the financial services industry.
• We will actively encourage international businesses to establish physical offices and headquarters in the Cayman Islands.

Due to the PPM’s poor leadership, mismanaged resources and failure to develop a new five-year National Tourism Management Plan, the tourism industry is ill-prepared to deal with the current economic recession or the longer term issues of sustainable tourism development over the next 5-10 years. The United Democratic Party understands the issues that this important industry faces. We know that the industry represents a vital opportunity for Caymanians, not only for employment but as an opportunity for them to become entrepreneurs in their own right. Some of our key strategies include:

• Establish a tourism task force from across the industry and tackle the important issues immediately, similar to what was done after 9/11 and Hurricane Ivan. We will implement the agreed solutions of this group with urgency.
• Establish a clear national brand image and working with the tourism, financial services and other key industries to ensure the marketing is effective and business is strong.
• Establish a Tourism Authority and formally create a framework for true public and private sector collaboration and cooperation.
• Promote the unique and distinct tourism offerings of Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and the Eastern Districts of Grand Cayman. Installing capable, experienced leadership in the tourism industry will protect, redirect and grow national tourism in a sustainable manner to ensure Caymanians will benefit directly from the success in the tourism.

In 2004, UDP commissioned a National Strategy for small businesses that was completely ignored by the PPM. Instead, the PPM Government opted to serve this sector through independent organisations, despite the fact that they weren’t guided by national objectives or effectively coordinated with each other. Five years later, the PPM still does not have a national strategy for small businesses, and as a result, Caymanian entrepreneurs are struggling. We will take action to support small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship among Caymanians by doing the following:

• We will put in place a comprehensive National Small Business Strategy that addresses their needs in the short and long term. This important sector will no longer be left without the necessary policy support from the Government.
• We will establish an effective Small Business Unit within the Ministry.
• We will refocus the role of the Investment Bureau on attracting inward investment and restore key overseas offices in strategic countries.
• We will revitalize the Cayman Islands Development Bank to ensure that it operates as an effective source of financing for Caymanian entrepreneurs.

The PPM has severely neglected public safety, and our society has not become any safer over the past four years. 2008 represented the highest murder rate in our country’s history. Burglaries and other crimes continue to create uncertainty in our communities. And there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting that many crimes continue to go unreported. The reputation of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIP) reputation has been unfairly damaged by poor governance and mismanagement by the PPM. The UDP will take the following measures to bring the RCIPS back on a solid footing and to restore security and public safety to our communities.

• We will implement a comprehensive training and development program for police officers.
• We will also establish an aggressive initiative to recruit former qualified Caymanian police officers to the RCIPS as well as recruit and train new Caymanian police officers. We will also examine the current policy on scheduling the work shifts of police.
• We will improve police intelligence to help battle drug trafficking and other crimes.
• We will find a resolution to the current helicopter fiasco to minimise losses to the government and consider an appropriate alternative plan.
• We will make efforts to restore governance and public confidence in the RCIPS and to improve staff moral.

Our financial services and tourism industries are now threatened by forces within and without our islands as a direct result of declining education. The United Democratic Party is committed to an education system that embodies the highest ideals and values of the people of the Cayman Islands. We pledge to expand our programmes and develop the full and unique potential of all students, including:

• Establish an accredited Technical and Vocational Training Institute so that young Caymanians can take advantage of careers in the technical fields and tourism industry.
• Review the report of teachers’ salaries and working conditions, and implement the findings and recommendations in order to restore the morale and confidence of our teaching service.
• Ensure that the UCCI becomes a fully accredited institution thereby allowing students to complete their tertiary education here or transferring with their full credits to institutions abroad.

Labour and immigration in the country should be achieving two things: preparing and protecting Caymanians and attracting and creating economic opportunities for the country. The PPM’s current fragmented approach to labour and immigration has been unable to meet either of these problems. The UDP will implement the following key strategies:

• We will establish a new structure where the Immigration Boards/Work Permits administration will work directly with Labour & Employment Services function, with direct links to the Pensions and Health Insurance inspectorates, into a new Human Resources Development Authority.
• We will consult with stakeholders to propose and enact a new Human Capital Development Law, which would amalgamate relevant provisions of the existing Immigration and Labour Laws and place responsibility for Employment Relations, Work Permits, Training, and Labour Enforcement and Conciliation, under the Minister responsible for Labour.
• We will also establish policies which promotes “best practices” in human capital by working with the C.I. Society for Human Resources Professionals, and other industry groups, to formulate standards for workplace excellence, while establishing a certification system for human resource practitioners and professionals.

The PPM Government has forgotten that the Cayman Islands is a better place to live and the work because of everything our seniors and elders have done for this country over the years. As the economy constricts, our seniors and elderly have been left behind. As the traditional Caymanian family has had to work harder to make ends meet, the support for the elderly wanes. The UDP believes that we should treat seniors with the care and respect they have earned. We must reward their contributions to our society by strengthening the family unit and providing better care for the elderly. The disabled The UDP will empower the disabled through policies that improve their participation in society. We must honour their dignity and character by reducing their sense of vulnerability and improving the quality of their day to lives.

Drug abuse continues to destroy our communities and the PPM’s neglect of this critical area of or society poses a potential threat to our national health and public safety. There are gaps in treatment and rehabilitation services. Special needs populations such as women, adolescents and youth, and the mentally impaired are not receiving the level of care and protection they need. Particularly, the PPM has failed to make drug treatment resources available to the youth, who comprise the most vulnerable population. They are targeted by drug dealers at their schools and in their communities and sometimes subjected to drug use in their homes. The Government ships them off to other jurisdictions, separating them from their families and exposing them to further neglect and abuse (Tranquility Bay for example).

• The UDP will re-launch a National Drugs Commission as a strategic framework that assembles legislation, relevant agencies, departments, non-governmental organizations, private sector and community to address this crisis with shared resources.
• We will reframe the discussion as one that does not alienate victims and their families, but instead assists them on a path to recovery. They deserve our help, in the form of treatment, counseling and moral support.

It’s been more than 50 years since the Sex Discrimination Law was enacted in the Cayman Islands. Yet, private sector research still shows that women in this country have not yet achieved equality in many areas of life. The PPM government is an organization that has turned a deaf ear to women’s issues. Their inaction has left many women behind. The UDP is committed to achieving gender equality. We intend to take this commitment beyond fair wages, and ensure that women in our society are offered equal opportunities in every aspect of life.

The PPM claimed in 2005 that it would equip young people in all learning forums with the knowledge and skills to make a smooth transition to adulthood. But instead they have ignored the youth and compounded the challenges which they face today. In 2007 to 2008 the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly found several major challenges facing our youth. The UDP will address the challenges facing our youth head on. We will ensure that their participation in the development of this country is a positive one bolstered by strong families and a positive outlook on society. Sports The UDP is committed to the development of sports in the Cayman Islands as a key means for social transformation and promoting national pride. Our commitment will be demonstrated by continued investment into sports facilities as well as ensuring that our approach is guided by a short term, medium and long term vision for sports in this country.

The PPM has watched healthcare costs rise, unconcerned about the fact that adequate care is out of reach for many Caymanians. The minimum coverage policies and lack of affordable choices are leaving the island’s most vulnerable populations without sufficient protection from illness. Many key institutions in the Cayman Islands healthcare system have not functioned effectively due to poor governance: The UDP will restore effective governance to the country’s key healthcare institutions. We will work to reduce the cost of healthcare in this country and ensure that better preventative measures are in place to ensure access to healthcare for all.

• We will improve preventive programs through promotion of healthy lifestyles among the young people and students, reducing the cost of healthcare and lifestyle-related illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
• We will examine solutions to address the high cost of malpractice insurance for Obstetricians and other specialists. We will work with the private sector to devise a captive insurance solution to this problem.
• We will conduct a review of CINICO with the aim of reducing its costs and improving its efficiency.

Our country has faced unprecedented increases in the cost of energy over the past 12 months, increases which threaten our productivity and place the cost of living further and further out of reach for average citizens. Related to the rising costs of energy is the threat to our natural environment, which is a vital part of the islands’ economy. Instead of taking bold steps to develop innovative solutions, the PPM government has offered no plans to tackle the fundamental issue and they have failed to pass the national Conservation Act as promised. The UDP will adopt a holistic approach that includes energy and environmental conservation, but also invests in alternative energy and keeps consumer and business costs competitive. The United Democratic Party will quickly establish initiatives for more a comprehensive approach to meet our energy needs through best practices across all sectors of the economy – including, electricity generation, transportation and disposal of municipal solid waste. The UDP will seek to deploy sustainable technology that will allow for the waste to the disposed in a manner that will result in minimum environmental damage. The strategy will also include a Waste to Energy component to allow for the generation of electricity.

The UDP believes that the Cayman Island’s long-term competitiveness depends on the stability of our critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, public transportation and roads. The UDP will develop a national infrastructure policy to meet the demands of a growing population and a changing economy. The Cayman Islands uniqueness lies not only in its beautiful natural environment, but in its attractive liveable urban centres, unique neighbourhoods, high end tourism, tranquillity and overall quality of life. Through rational analysis, consensus building and professional guidance we can meet the transportation opportunities and infrastructure challenges facing the Cayman Islands in the Twenty First Century.

The Cayman Islands culture is one of most treasured national assets. Our culture is more than a national sense of pride; it provides us with the sense of purpose to deal day to day challenges. And it represents the cornerstone of our tourism industry and the values of our children. But under the PPM Caymanian culture and way of life gets threatened further as each day goes by. The major cultural and tourist attractions in the country are lacking in meaningful Caymanian cultural programs and activities.

• We will contract our cultural entities such as: Museum, National Galley, National Trust, etc, to create programs and content for these and any cultural attractions and venues.
• We will build and develop on the idea of a self funded Caymanian Cultural Troop. We will Expose as much as possible, the Visual, Traditional and Performing arts to local and especially overseas audiences.
• We will mandate a cultural programme in all schools and establish local culture scholarships in areas such as basket making and other areas. We will also encourage academic research into Caymanian culture and heritage
• We will create a Caymanian Arts and Culture advisory panel to refer for art and cultural matters.

The UDP recognises the importance of farming, not just to ensure subsistence agriculture but as a way of live for many hard working Caymanians. We do not subscribe the PPM approach that our Caymanian farmers should be sidelined when it comes to progress inn this country. We will seek for and support the development of Horticulture and green house as well as Aquaculture. The UDP will give this area top priority as we feel it will help to stop the importation of insects and other pest. We will put through new farm roads in the district of North Side and East End so that the interior can be opened up for farmers to pursue opportunities.