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(CNS): Joey Hew the Progressives’ Leader Of the Opposition has welcomed the premier’s announcement that money will be found in the next budget to fund support services for the official opposition. But Hew said this is nothing new as it began when Ezzard Miller was opposition leader from 2017-2019, after the then premier Alden McLaughlin funded an opposition leaders office through the Cabinet’s budget. Hew has argued that having support for the opposition strengthens local democracy. “While this is a positive and necessary step, it is important to recognise that such an office is not a new initiative or political concession,” Hew said in a release, as he explained that the concept began with Miller. However, some CNS readers have been very critical of the official establishment of funding for the opposition to carry out is work asking why the tax payer should be footing the bill rather than the party or the MPs who are all well-paid in their political roles and who also have businesses and other jobs. However some commentors saw the need for the opposition to be publicly funded in order to conduct its work and fulfill its main role of holding the government of the day to account as well as scrutinizing legislation and policy against the needs and benefits of the community at large. Following the 2021 General Election, Roy McTaggart utilised his constituency office as the Opposition Leader’s Office supported by one dedicated staff member focused solely on opposition business.However, during the transition to an independent Parliament, the provision for a staffed Opposition Leader’s Office was inadvertently overlooked, Hew pointed out. “This gap became evident following the 2025 General Election, leaving the new Leader of the Opposition without a dedicated, functioning office,” he said. Since then, Hew has engaged in discussions with the government to restore what he said was a “vital component of parliamentary democracy” as well as an extra staff member, bringing the total to two dedicated personnel. This enhancement will allow the Opposition to operate efficiently, conduct research, and respond to national issues in a timely and professional manner, Hew added. Across the Westminster parliamentary system — including in comparable jurisdictions such as Bermuda — an Opposition Office is recognised as an essential element of accountability, transparency, and good governance. Restoring this allocation strengthens democracy, ensuring that the Opposition can effectively scrutinise legislation, question spending, and represent the people with professionalism and integrity. “I want to thank the Premier and his team for listening to the case we made for restoring this office. This is not about asking for a favour — it’s about ensuring that Parliament functions as it should. My PPM colleagues and I believe that a well-resourced Opposition is essential for strong scrutiny, sound governance, and a healthy democracy, the opposition leader stated. “With this restoration, we can continue to serve the people of the Cayman Islands with integrity, transparency, and respect for our democratic institutions.” Party officials said the PPM remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional role and using the restored resources to carry out its responsibilities with diligence and professionalism on behalfof all Caymanians.
