GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart Thursday welcomed the resignation of Premier Wayne Panton, saying something had to change to bring about a stable and effective government in the Cayman Islands.
Panton’s PACT government had on Tuesday survived a motion of no confidence. Still, the embattled government leader confirmed his departure, praying that Caymanians “will always look into the mirror of our national destiny and like what they see.”
In a statement, McTaggart, the leader of the prominent opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM/Progressives), said. In contrast, the opposition had understood there was a chance that the motion would not pass in Parliament, “ we were obligated to bring the motion given the parliamentary crisis that the government had caused for itself with a hung parliament and the country’s 2024/2025 budget still in limbo.
“The constant infighting within PACT was also causing the country actual harm,” he said, adding, “It was clear on Tuesday from those who debated that the PACT was not only unviable in Parliament, with the Government and Opposition having nine seats each, but that PACT could not continue under the leadership of Premier Panton.
“Something had to change to bring about a stable and effective government,” he added.
When the vote was taken, eight legislators voted in favor of the motion, while seven voted against it with three abstentions. Two of those abstaining came from the ruling PACT coalition.
The government and opposition have nine seats in the 19-member chamber, leaving Speaker Catherine Ebank-Wilks with a critical casting vote.
McTaggart said that there were two paths to putting such a new government in place in Parliament.
“One path was for some in the PACT Government to work with us in a new Progressives-led government. Given the vast experience on our side, this was the best solution. The other path was for the PACT to re-form itself under new leadership with a new Premier who could pull the group together and resolve some deep-seated divisions within the PACT government that have been clearly on display.
“A new solid leader could allow a more coherent and cohesive PACT government to emerge, to create a sensible program for government, and quickly pull together a new budget,” the Opposition Leader said.
He said following the appointment of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly as the new Premier and Andre Ebanks as her deputy, the new group has rebranded itself as the United People’s Movement (UPM).
“I am satisfied that the opposition has achieved our main objective, to bring about change and force the former PACT to acknowledge that they needed new leadership and direction.
“I take this moment to congratulate the new Premier and Deputy Premier. I look forward to the new Premier’s right to lead the government and get a budget passed.
“However, while the opposition is willing to give a new government under the Premier some leeway, there is little time to waste in tackling our country’s challenges and helping our people.
“We will hold the new Premier and her colleagues accountable just like we have the previous Premier. We will not hesitate to be critical if performance does not improve,” McTaggart said, adding, “Holding the government to account has always been, and remains, the Opposition’s job.”
The Oppositio0n Leader has outlined priority areas the government should pursue in the new budget, adding that the Progressives are willing to support a new budget that includes those priorities.
“The country now needs stability, and our people deserve an effective, cohesive government. We pray that this reformed UPM government will provide that stability. In the Progressives opposition, we will be watching,” he added.
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