McTaggart fails to confirm deal with Roper

| 16/04/2021 | 93 Comments
Protest outside Parliament on Friday

(CNS): While Roy McTaggart claimed late last night that the PPM-Alliance has broken Wayne Panton’s PACT, he has yet to confirm that with Governor Martin Roper. McTaggart has also failed to indicate who his alliance has agreed will be speaker. To keep his working majority he will need to nominate an external speaker, as Panton did with Alric Lindsay, which, if the speculation on the street is realised, could be Tara Rivers. The other option would be to propose that the only member of Parliament (elect) who has not until now been invited to play a part in either proposed government gets his old job back.

Of course, offering the position to McKeeva Bush is a substantial risk as it could break the alliance McTaggart claims he has, but by Thursday Cayman voters were no longer surprised by anything, and speculation that Bush was in fact being invited to become a member of PACT was beginning to look like a real possibility.

A protest next to the parliament building grew from a sedate affair in the morning to a full blown demonstration by afternoon over the PPM’s apparent successful manipulation to undermine Panton’s PACT of independents. Protestors were also alarmed at speculation that the the PPM-Alliance was attempting closed-door tactics to take the reins of power without going through the proper constitutional process.

But in a statement issued at 3:40pm, the governor allayed fears of an impromptu signing-in ceremony and said that preparations at the Parliament were in expectation of Wednesday’s meeting that Panton had officially requested.

“I can confirm that there is no meeting of Parliament scheduled today. Preparations will continue until a new Government is sworn in,” he said. “As part of the constitutionally mandated process, the candidate representing the majority of votes in the Parliament must meet with me to confirm their ability to form a Government, as Mr Panton has done. I have to date received no formal requests concerning this matter from any other candidates.”

Roper explained that the next step was the publication of a proclamation to call a session of the Parliament, which Panton has requested for Wednesday, when all newly elected and appointed members will be sworn in and the vote for a premier will take place.

Despite indications that the PPM leader is preparing to ask the governor to appoint him as premier under section 49(2) of the Constitution on the basis that he is the leader of a party which has secured a majority, this would be unconstitutional. The Progressives did not secure a majority, nor did the PPM-Alliance, which is not a party in any event.

McTaggart may have successfully brought together a coalition of elected members, but constitutionally McTaggart should not be appointed directly by the governor but, as Panton did on Thursday, he must be invited to seek a vote in Parliament under section 49(3).

This would also provide an opportunity for the public to see the members vote for or against the two men vying for the premiership and the reins of government.

But as the confusion over the next government continued Friday and the public took to the streets, the PACT members appeared to have returned to meetings, to which, CNS understands, invitations had been extended to Isaac Rankine, Sabrina Turner and Jay Ebanks, who has yet to sign onto the PPM government deal.

Panton told CNS earlier today that he was more than willing to enter into discussions with the trio if they wanted to talk about the issues that had made them sign an agreement with the alliance only hours after signing one with him, which they knew had been taken to the governor.

At this point it is still not clear if the situation will be impacted by the immediate public backlash over the potential deal made late Thursday night for the PPM to once again form the government, even though independent candidates gained the majority for the second election in a row. Nevertheless, the closed-door horsetrading continues over the trio currently being claimed by both the Alliance and the PACT.

Check back to CNS later for more on the political horsetrading.


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Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics

Comments (93)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    All those people made one Blogger draw them out to Parliament for nothing. It likes the blind, leading the blind with Sandra leading.

    All I saw was a bully and some respectful people I would never guess would even stand near her.

    This reminded me of Donald Trump crew at the Capital Building. LOL

  2. Anonymous says:

    Time for “Direct Rule” from the UK

  3. Anonymous says:

    Give it up Roy, don’t be bullheaded like Aiden during the referendum, – assuming the Compasd poll is somewhat accurate, PACT has a whopping 16% better approval rate to form a Govt than the progressives ‼️

  4. Anonymous says:

    No this is cayman we did not vote in Jamaica but here in cayman, we are no better than other people in this world lots of confusion and hatred going on here right now

  5. Anonymous says:

    Has a final decision been made yet as to who will be the Premier and which government will run the country for the next 4 years, just wondering if anyone here knows for sure?

  6. Anonymous says:

    CNS, you sure an MP Speaker can’t vote in a tie? I don’t think it’s technically true the way you implied the only other option to an outside Speaker is Mac.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Take with best from both sides. Make a balanced govt. Work together. Move Cayman forward together. No petty differences.
    But NO MAC.

  8. Anonymous says:

    What have we learnt from all this so far.

    2 sell outs

    A mixed bunch of newbies wanting to run things

    A bunch of old politicians too fixed on retaining power rather than taking the high road, admit they were beat and focusing on helping the new blood take the reigns.

    West Bayers remain to be sheep by voting back in one man who needs to retire and stop being an embarrassment to this island.

  9. Anonymous says:

    It’s just getting started.

  10. Anonymous says:

    We need a national vote. If it were up to every Caymanian voter instead of just a few hundred inbreds in WBW, then McKeeva wouldn’t have been re-elected in the first place. But of course, the PPM are huge proponents of OMOV, so a national vote would never happen under their leadership.

  11. Anonymous says:

    “Borgen” a Danish drama perfect for political devotees.

    Season 1 Episode 1 – you could replace Danish with Cayman’

    MUST WATCH!

  12. Anonymous says:

    The way I see it the PPM manifesto is a good way forward. Having a bunch of independents will singular focus on there district is not a national plan.

    • anonymous says:

      8:21 am: it is as true for independents as for party-liners (if you can call it that) that focus on their districts is important. However, for ALL MPs the national well-being must take priority.

    • Anonymous says:

      Another myth.

    • Prospect Voter says:

      She’s b-a-c-kkkk: I have to say that last night’s meeting did not entirely satisfy my unease about Sabrina and the whole lack of a system that provides for cohesion and unified decision making.

      I took note of the message she was sending to both sides: “We are still in negotiations.” She said that twice–even once would have been enough for me to distrust her comment to the contrary that she was there to stay.

      Messages:

      PACT: “Please note that you don’t get to backtrack on your conciliatory offer of a ministerial position.” I suspect that when the designated deputy premier whispered to the designated premier while he was speaking at the end was about announcing PACT’s offer of a ministerial position to Sabrina. It was important to make a public announcement to reassure Sabrina.

      PPM: “Note that negotiations are not entirely outside the realm of possibilities.”

      I was not impressed, to say the least. Time will tell.

  13. Anonymous says:

    “..offering the position to McKeeva Bush…??”

    How low can they go??

    • Anonymous says:

      Parliament: hold my beer.

    • Anonymoose says:

      Roy will lose all credibility if he takes back Mac. He was heard on tv saying there will be no place for Mac. He needs to stand his ground and take what comes. Selling your soul is never the answer even for the sake of the country. Where are his morals and ethics ?

      Stand up for what’s right Roy and you will have full support.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s worth $500,000 for 4 years. Lower than a snake’s belly is about right.

  14. Anonymous says:

    9 PACT, 9 PPM and 1 Extremely Powerful Person who decides to stand alone – then what does the country do?

    Love him or hate him, WMB, while not initially chosen by either group – he continues to be the most powerful/influential name in local politics.

    • Anonymous says:

      If a convicted criminal is the most powerful man in Cayman that speaks volumes about Caymanians and their moral compass.

      If either side “negotiates” with this disgusting women beater, to the contrary of what they have stated earlier, it will be a historical disgrace for the Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        PACT – Politics Above Citizen’s Trust

      • Anonymous says:

        Even the mere negotiation with him revolts me. I hope the independents are able to pull it off, but if I were the PPM, I would just wait it out to see what kind of shit show transpires and then make a move.

  15. Anonymous says:

    I bet Governor remembers the “..roosters fight..» warning.

  16. Anonymous says:

    They criticize the ppm ,yet the ppm provided the much needed relief during the pandemic by allowing people to draw from their pensions funds, having the lock down which proved successful that is why there is no community spread today and we are enjoying freedoms which the world envy , business is booming otherwise despite the tourism halt, people are giving monthly stepens to help them , what many fail to realize is that many PACT members are against this , give them the reigns of power and they will bring this country down in 3-6months , just watch and and those that support them will be the first cry. Think long and hard about it. If they take power the country will be done for and it will take many years to get back to where we were before the pandemic, I really can’t believe the shortsightedness and ignorance in some that is suppose to have sense, but then they will be protected with money , power and then the common man here suffering can get lost as far as they concerned. Talking about going to hell in a handbrake that will us !

    • Anonymous says:

      First thing they’ll do when in office will be to blame the PPM for everything that goes wrong.

    • Anonymous says:

      4:56 how naive you are

    • Anonymous says:

      PPM has accomplished exactly nothing in 8 years. They condone violence against women. The Dump keeps burning. The traffic is a nightmare. Education is dismal. Overdevelopment. Degradation of the Environment. And 🐘 wide spread CORRUPTION!

      • Anonymous says:

        SMB is gone. Post Office Service ceased to perform its function. Vocational training doesn’t exist. Health Care is dismal(don’t equate healthcare with medical insurance affordability). Disease prevention is non-existent. Cancer is rampant. The territory is deeply divided- xenophobia, homophobia…

      • D. Truth says:

        Yes! , ” Degradation of the Environment. And wide spread CORRUPTION!” says it all!

      • D. Truth says:

        Right on, Brother!!!

    • D. Truth says:

      You say they critisize the PPM. And rightly so, for the most part! I criticize them, too! #^&*#%* money grabbers!

    • Anon says:

      You realise that the only thing you praised PPM for in your statement is the COVID related situation? Can you list what PPM has done for the 7 years before that? Exactly which businesses are booming? Because a lot of long standing businesses had to close down and is no longer in operation (no direct fault of PPM – I’ll give them that).

      PACT members are not against COVID relief, they are against the many inequalities that PPM continue to allow and support which put Caymanians at a major disadvantage. Case in point – PPM claim to set up a program to help transition tourism sector workers to other sectors with these sectors supposedly agreeing to train persons. However, the accounting firms alone brought in close to 120, if not more, work permit holders between October last year and January this year. Other businesses as well was able to import staff via work permit. So please explain to me why WPs are being issued when you have an increasing unemployment rate amongst Caymanians? Why aren’t Caymanians being trained for these positions? Let that sink in!

      PPM does have Caymanians at heart and have no plans whatsoever to address the real issues that the Caymanian people face and have been facing for a long time, because that would mean compromising their relationship with the big time investors.

      Therefore, Alden’s plan, through Roy, will be “lets just give them a lil stipend increase to shut them up and continue pleasing the big ballers, making sure they get what they want”.

  17. Anonymous says:

    First order of business.
    1. Caymanian job focus. All Realtors shall be Caymanian and persons with PR.
    2. Make it so that wp holders cannot reach the years they are eligible for PR thus preventing the distruction of Cayman Culture.
    3. Restrict the ability of property purchase by foreigners only to select locations on islands protecting the birthright of Generational Caymanians.
    This would be a good start.

    • Anonymous says:

      What a childish ill considered rant.
      You really want to divide the Island both socially and culturally..?
      You want to live in your isolated ghetto while foreigners enjoy parties in the expensive properties..?
      Will there be walled compounds and gates to separate people of differing birth places…?
      Grow up and join the real world.

    • Anonymous says:

      With a group of independents these type of policies certainly have more sway.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yikes. People like you are too lost in hate to make any decisions.

    • Anonymous says:

      Um..No.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why don’t you buy Sand Cay and start your own little country there. We can call it Petty Island.

      Thinking rationally about your points for 10 seconds makes for comedy gold. Unless your intention is the complete and utter destruction of the economy and ultimately the end Caymanian Culture altogether.

  18. Anonymous says:

    First I am not a supporter of McKeeva Bush but the PEOPLE OF WEST BAY (W) voted him back to the parliament; he was duly elected and is as important as any other member duly elected. Please get over this SH$$T about you not working with him. PPM needs McKeeva – independents NEEDS McKeeva and he is a paid MP and needs to work for the next four years to earn is salary.
    As a women I will never condone any form of violence but sadly so much of this goes on behind closed doors, and the public knows how many elected MPs is guilty of this seem act, Mckeeva unfortunately has been exposed and it seems that he is the only one that can’t be forgiven or can’t be rehabilitated.
    Please name one Politician that has represented the Cayman people, better than Mr. Bush. Civil Servants remember how many of you he had to defend and secure your jobs, remember when he stood firm and defended us many times in England when they wanted to TAX us. We was never under any black, gray of red list under McKeeva, I hope you don’t for one minute believe that was by chance, on the contrary it was because of McKeeva’s strong stand. On the other hand he has been losing is way on development and has to be stopped. But can’t 10- strong women and men control him? He will only be making up numbers. You decided, do you want a PPM Govt including McKeeva? Or do you want an independent Govt including McKeeva? You choose !!! We need him, he don’t need us, his salary is guaranteed for the next four years.
    PLEASE stop talking foolishness about bi-election our constitution only allows for Bi-elections if a MP dies while serving. Therefore, if PPM or independent forms a Government that your for the next four years. Make your choice! PPM GOVT or McKeeva controlled by Independents Government !!

    • Anonymous says:

      How much low can you go defending Bush?

    • Anonymous says:

      I am not a resident of West Bay either, and I have no use for Mckeever Bush. He has proven beyond all doubt that he loves himself……. and thinks he is the smartest person on earth. Well, he isn’t!. A better description might be, “The biggest dummy in the Cayman Islands”. I find NOTHING about him that is “Honorable”!!

    • Just Why says:

      is it unfortunate that McKeeva’s violence against women has been exposed.

      He has exposed a great deal more than this over the years and the electorate that keeps returning him to office is the ultimate example of “If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything”.

      The people of West Bay had a chance to do the right thing that the Gov’t did not and unfortunately they failed to do it.

  19. Anonymous says:

    ACC, are you still clocked in ? a heads up, this is exactly what’s going on.

    ‘Horse trading, in its literal sense, is the buying and selling of horses, also called “horse dealing.” Due to the difficulties in evaluating the merits of a horse offered for sale, the sale of horses offered great opportunities for dishonesty, leading to use of the term horse trading (or horsetrading) to refer to complex bargaining or other transactions, such as political vote trading. It was expected that horse sellers would capitalize on these opportunities and so those who dealt in horses gained a reputation for underhanded business practices.’

  20. Anonymous says:

    McTaggart has won in his constituency with over 70% of votes. Everyone knew that he was running for the post of Premier and they still voted for him. Isn’t it very clesr from this that public wanted him to be the Premier! No other candidate won on the basis of premiership. So were all the PPM members…people were happy and wanted them to lead the the country again.

    • Anonymous says:

      This is your personal opinion, not the fact. He is too old, he is not a politician, and he is a puppet.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ummm – that may be what the people in his constituency wanted. Don’t remember the identity of the premier being in the ballot in any other constituency. What about those that voted for Wayne – you think they wanted Roy as Premier? What about the fact that the total number of people voting for Roy or the PPM is way less than the total number voting for independents?

    • Anonymous says:

      You do realize that there is no national vote and he only ran in one district and got 645 votes.

      There we 1,006 votes cast so 64% of those who bothered to vote in GTE and less than 45% of the 1,459 people that could have voted.

      So I’m not sure how you can say “the Public” wanted him to be Premier based on this.

  21. Anonymous says:

    I think what the independents should do is poach one of the PPM like Moses. Get him to come over and give Cayman Brac a seat again in Parliament. He was decent at what he did and nowhere near as nasty as the rest of them and the moon man.

  22. Anonymous says:

    #justsaynotomac

  23. Anonymous says:

    Not a great headline to start the weekend on! But we’re past headlines now.

  24. Anonymous says:

    I remembered when Wayne and Heather said they are so disappointed in Alden because he never threw Big Mac under the bus. To now come needing him to help you both form the Government. Shame on you both.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Speaks volumes for the calibre of our government – sign an agreement then promptly sign another and renege on the former while the ink is drying.

  26. Anonymous says:

    #heissupported #sheisnolongersupported

  27. Anonymous says:

    And what about that back door meeting today at White House/DMS with Wayne, McKeeva and all the other independents who swore up and down they would not work with Me. Bush?!? Where is the outrage? Where is the #she is supported crew?

    What incredible hypocrisy!!! We cannot have this kind of behaviour from our leaders!!!

  28. Anonymous says:

    Doing deals with the convicted woman beater is proof that there is no line in politics that cannot be crossed.

  29. Anonymous says:

    I am calling for Panton and McTaggart to come together and form a Government that is capable of governing these islands.

    imagine this.

    Premier Mctaggart – Finance
    Deputy Premier Panton- financial services environment
    Minister of Education Saunders
    Minister of Community Affairs Andre
    Minister of Health Sabrina
    Minister of Home Affairs and Employment Kenneth
    Minister of Works Hew
    Minister of Tourism Moses

    PS – Kathy
    PS – David
    PS Heather
    PS Alden

    back bench Barbara
    back bench Jay
    back bench Issac

    Speaker Julie
    Deputy Bernie

    Leader of the Opposition Mac

  30. Anonymous says:

    Progressives playing this one well. The chips will fall their way in the end.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Funny that the article doesn’t mention that the independents are in talks with McKeeva Bush! Instead of speculating about what the Progressives Aliance may do. I am sure that CNS must be aware. I would think that it is a big risk for the self styled PACT too.

    CNS: Paragraph 2.

  32. Anonymous says:

    I hope east end is enjoying the world wind they are reaping.

    I may not have agreed with Arden but at east I knew where he stood and could trust him to stand up for himself. You traded him in for a guy who sold you out before he was even sworn in.

  33. Anonymous says:

    If the rest of the world actually cared what happens on this pebble, we would be a laughing stock. Luckily no-one does.

  34. Anonymous says:

    Do the wannabe oligarchs controlling PPM think we are all stupid?

    THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. Try again in four years.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Banana Republic

  36. Anonymous says:

    Big up to Roy for sticking his neck out there. He has the experience to lead Cayman through border reopening and into the future!

  37. Anonymous says:

    Why does the rest of the country need to suffer just because Wayne and Alden have massive egos

  38. George Towner says:

    PPM still have a chance and their donors. So, alot can happen between now and Wednesday. They could produce a formal letter on Monday or one on Tuesday. Time will tell.

  39. Rocket Scientist says:

    If Bush becomes any part of the new government, whether that be under McT or MrP we can pretty much work out that we are all doomed.

  40. Anonymous says:

    I am watching “Borgen”, a political drama on Netflix. Interestingly, this is exactly what is happening in the Cayman right now.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Alden really is kinda smug, isn’t he. Thought he had it all sown up. The people just want a sense that all this change is benefiting them. And that we can be part of it.
    We’ve not had that the past 8 years or so. Time for a change to see if we can be part of moving forward.
    And maybe better candidates in 2025

  42. Angry Prospect voter says:

    Prospect voters need to mature! That someone is loud or holds loud rallies does not mean they are dependable. If she faltered one day after being elected, how soon will she topple and drag Prospect down with her?! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

    • Anonymous says:

      Prospect already is going downhill, time to clean up the hood. However doubtful, considering the fact that Sabrina‘s headquarters not too long ago was a trash house but they cleaned it up in time for election. If she really cares about her area she would go by each house and make them clean up their yard and fix their houses because it’s just slum all over.

  43. Anonymous says:

    A few months ago you were all demonstrating against Bush for his drunken attack on a woman, now you’re kissing up to him as your BFF.
    Principles, integrity, decency anyone, ?

  44. Anonymous says:

    I feel bad for the likes of Andre Ebanks who are good candidates, tried to work independently and then betrayed and now left to pick between Mac or PPM. What a nightmare.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’d rather have a government with Mac in it, as long as he’s not in a high position of leadership, than to endure another four years of the PPM regime, which is also comprised of XXXX and assholes.
      Not a single one of the cabinet ministers or backbenchers of the PPM-lead “unity”government stood up to Mac after he beat up that woman; their leader even called an early election so he wouldn’t be held accountable.
      So maybe if the PPM knew the difference between right and wrong, we wouldn’t be in this mess today.

    • Anonymous says:

      How has Andre been betrayed when it was widely touted that Wayne Panton paid for his campaign.

  45. Anon says:

    Whole bunch of sellouts. Wouldn’t have got this with Alric, Johann or Myles.

    • Anonymous says:

      Naive much?

    • Anonymous says:

      There are too many pitfalls with this unwieldily system of trying to put together a government after the elections. Too fraught with dangers—like Mac, for instance. You have all these people with disparate views trying to fit together into a coherent whole.

      This does not stand to work in the best interest of the public. You vote for people and no one really knows what they will do. You cannot rely on them to take any particular position.

      It just comes across as a joke.

      • Anonymous says:

        Exactly. They need to say who they will work with ahead of the election. I think it is terrible what people are doing on social media to the East End and Northside candidates. If Wayne Panton was really for women, he would have told his supporters to stop harassing Sabrina Turner. She was basically intimated by everyone. She had no choice but to go back with the Independents. Police need to arrest these people. And that poor candidate had to change his phone number? Really? The Independents is turning us into Jamaica style politics not parties. I hope people remember that. It’s not right what is going on. The media is just as bad.

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