CAYMAN ISLANDS-Dwayne Seymour crosses the floor again

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour has resigned from the PACT government and his position as labor minister.

In the Parliament on Friday afternoon, Seymour read his resignation from government, which he had sent to Governor Jane Owen, in which he said that he had never experienced such “disorganization” and “lackluster leadership.”

Seymour had crossed the floor from the opposition in November 2021. At that time, he had said he wanted to join the PACT (People-driven, Accountable, Competent, and Transparent) government to help, offer his experience, and give the country some assurances.

But on Friday, as he crossed the floor for a second time, he launched a direct attack on Panton, describing him as autocratic.

“The premier’s failure to adequately engage and empower the civil service, his inability to keep his PACT group cohesive and focused, his inability to get the 2024/25 budget completed in a timely and consultative manner, his inability to listen and his inability to show fairness to all of his caucus are untenable,” Seymour complained.

He added that he believed the country required leadership with the full support of the caucus, inspiring the country and giving the people hope in challenging times.

The Bodden Town East representative said he was still fully committed to serving the country as an MP and asked his constituents’ forgiveness for not holding a public meeting to inform them before his resignation.

He suggested that his resignation was an emergency but added he was confident he had made the right decision.

He said he was disappointed because he had thought a government of independents could work.

“There was so much we could have achieved,” he said, adding that “it had taken a toll on me.”

In his speech and without being specific, Seymour said the “last night” events had been the “final straw.”

Friday’s developments follow a fractious parliamentary session where the divisions within the government and the increasing isolation of the premier have been laid bare.

Shortly after Seymour wrapped up his resignation speech, McKeeva Bush asked the speaker to suspend the proceedings.