PACT confirms Cabinet, Bush apologises
(CNS): Premier Designate Wayne Panton has confirmed his Cabinet after five days of political wrangling following the inconclusive election result last Wednesday. Isaac Rankine has reneged on his early agreement to support the group now known as PACT, however McKeeva Bush will return to the speaker’s chair in support of the new line-up. Bush apologised for his assault on a female bar manager and agreed to donate 10% of his salary to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre in a public statement released with the details of the new front-bench.
PACT will also be immediately implementing a code of conduct for all parliamentarians, where any infractions would lead to immediate dismissal from any official position, which Bush said he fully supports.
While Panton may now face criticisms in some quarters for dealing with Bush, the stalemate in the face of overwhelming support for the former environment minister to lead an independent coalition government had to be broken and Bush himself said he was obligated to support PACT, given the election result.
With Bush in the speaker’s chair, he is able to offer the necessary majority for government and will be in a position to break any ties in Parliament in favour of government if the PPM-Alliance members persistently vote against the PACT’s legislation. Panton told CNS that if those in opposition choose to block his government’s business, then they will have to answer to their constituents. However, he said he was confident that the members of the Progressives, now to be in opposition, would be supportive of the work his government intends to do.
He said he was “humbled to be leading a team with such diverse backgrounds” which reflects a mix of political experience and youthful energy. “It is clear from the electorate that they wanted the torch passed to the next generation, and I am honoured to be at the helm of such a transition in our history.”
Panton will lead a Cabinet that includes Chris Saunders as deputy premier, Kenneth Bryan, Sabrina Turner, Andre Ebanks, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Johany “Jay” Ebanks and Bernie Bush. None of the portfolios of the new ministers have yet been revealed but with eight seats now in Cabinet, there will be a need to realign the existing ministries within the confines of the existing budget. Meanwhile, Heather Bodden will serve as parliamentary secretary with Bush as speaker of the House.
In his statement, Bush said the early elections were called by former premier McLaughlin “to resolve, in his opinion, the issue surrounding my personal conduct with the voters making their wishes known”.
He stated, “Based on the results of the elections, it is clear the voters overwhelmingly want a government led by Independents and as the duly elected member for West Bay West, who also ran as an Independent, it is my constitutional responsibility to respect the will of the Caymanian people.”
Bush accepted that many of the PACT group had campaigned against him, and while the post-election talks had been heated, he said he was “encouraged and inspired by the patriotism of Premier Designate, G. Wayne Panton, members of the PACT Independents, and their families who chose to put aside personal differences in the interest of our country”.
Bush said he wanted to apologise for his prior conduct and “pledge my commitment to sign the code of conduct”. He said, “While I cannot change what happened in the past, I can learn from my mistakes and hope that my actions going forward also serve as an example for others to follow. To my family, the people of the Cayman Islands, and in particular the people in my home constituency of West Bay West, I would also like to apologize for my actions and thank you for your prayers, support, and understanding.”
He also urged the elected members of the Alliance to respect the will of the voters, where twelve Independent members were elected, and asked them to join the thousands of Caymanians who have already congratulated Panton and the members of PACT.
Panton offered his gratitude to the outgoing administration and former legislators, thanking his one-time close friend and political colleague, Alden McLaughlin, and his team for their service to Cayman, saying public service is still a noble calling.
“I also want to use this opportunity to thank the other parliamentarians who also served our islands over the past four years but were unsuccessful at the polls. In their contributions they have left their fingerprints on the development of our islands,” he said, before also offering his gratitude to long-time MLA/MP Anthony Eden.
“My team wants me to recognise the contributions of Mr Tony as a legislator for almost three decades. His unbroken service to the people of Bodden Town, Savannah and Newlands is testament to his commitment to public service and I wish him well in his retirement. I want to thank his family for sharing some of the best years of his life with us and we are forever in their debt,” Panton said.
See Bush’s full statement and the PACT release in the CNS Library.
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Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Most people commenting here just do not get it. A PPM led or majority PPM led Government for another four years is a greater ill than having McKeeva back in Parliament.
The justice system failed us. The revised constitution failed us. The electors of West Bay West failed us. The actions of one person, McKeeva Bush, while reprehensible, did not get us where we are today.
Instead of being focused on punishing one or more persons, focus on the thousands of Caymanians who are continually marginalized in their own country daily. Focus on the special interest running this country. Focus on the out-of-control development, at the cost of severely harming our environment, so the rich can get richer.
Focus on the dwindling middle class, the growing poverty and ever-increasing number of people who rely or will have to one day rely on welfare. Focus on the future of our youth and those who have gone away to study and equip themselves but have nothing to return to. Focus on the years of our mostly part-time politicians receiving comfortable salaries, unjustified increases, allowances, and benefits, but do nothing other than to warm the seats in Parliament.
Forget the McKeeva side show. Disregard the PPM’s now come-to-Jesus moment and their continued efforts to ignore the current will of the people and distract us from their years of failing the ordinary Caymanian and our children.
Let us celebrate that we have free-and-fair non-violent elections in this country and move forward with supporting the newly elected Government.
Bring on the pain Wayne.
Just for your gain.
Never mind the stain.
But when it rain.
And it gets out of lane.
You will be screaming in vain.
Again and again.
Again and again.
Again and again.
🕺
Wayne you lust and intoxication for power has clouded any ounce of integrity in your bones where Mckeeva is concerned.
Mckeeva never apologized to the victim directly. All this public apology business is a damn farce to allow you to get away with swallowing your vomit, when you categorically said you refuse to work with Mckeeva.
Heather, where are you? Speak up because you are another hypocrite in silence.
All of you, has endorsed violence against women by selecting a convicted official of the same fact who will do anything to get back in power.
I applaud the CDC for repudiating that 10 percent of salary contribution as part of you guys PR scam to soften the alarm.
Bernie, Chris and all the other signatories who signed to get Mckeeva out as speaker, has taken him back as the same thing. I hope you guys take a good look at yourselves in the mirror and ask what do you stand for. Hypocrisy at new heights.
Say what you want about PPM, while some concerns have merit, they have maintained their word of not including Mckeeva in their government, even if it meant becoming back benchers. They should be called the Political Party of Principle.
Heather, Sabrina and Kathrine you bring a big disgrace to woman hood. I lost a lot of respect for you all. Ms. Heather, I expected better from you after your comments too about Big Mac.
For the men, I only have a few words for you if this PACT work. Enjoy your 4 years because the next 4 I will be working on ensuing that none of you get more the 50 votes next election.
To run on a platform that called out for change and labeled her opponent as a McKeeva supporter only to form a government with him! lol I’m sure she was hoping and dreaming this wouldn’t be the outcome. Welcome to Politics PACT Ladies, already going back on their words, great start!
Wayne, the CDC, in utter disgust, repudiated that 10 percent salary deduction of Mckeeva to be paid to them. What are you now going to do to now justify grabbing Mckeeva in your lust for power? Your pretty PR spin is kapoot. Show us your spine Wayne.
Are you going to backtrack on promises you have made to the country to suit your convenience and power?
What about your running mate Heather who said she would never work with Mckeeva? What do you stand for Heather and all the women who look up to you?
This is hypocrisy at its best to grab power. You guys will throw someone under the bus to save your *sses.
Yo Bernie, where you at bro? I hope you cross the floor again like you did before, to protest your disgust of the speaker of the house. Show us what you stand for. Common Bern.
Shame on you Wayne!! are you that hungry for power that you’ll sell out your country? A Cabinet of persons who can barely string a intelligent sentence together plus one with a known drug dealing past! Then even a convicted (woman beating and misogynistic) criminal for our Speaker?? Where is your self-respect?? I have certainly lost all respect I had for you and you won’t ever be getting the 11 votes from my family in the future!
Oh you self righteous idiots!!! Nice to be on the sidelines and comment! Blame Isaac and PPM!!! Mr. Panton inherited this problem and dealt with it in the country’s best interest! Why allow McKeeva to get in the way of a good government and an honest Premier!!! Mac shd not have been allowed to run again! So thank Alden, Isaac etc. short memory you have!!!
No, 8.55, thank your new best friend Kenneth who feathered his nest by refusing to vote to expel Mac.
This PACT cannot possible work! This only gives them 10 and they need 11 for a quorum. See s.72(2) of the Constitution:
For the purposes of this section a quorum shall consist of a majority of the elected members of the Legislative Assembly in addition to the person presiding.
NOT ENOUGH!!! And THAT was NOT an apology!!
He should be groveling!! But instead h continued to DENY what he did!!!
Forgive??? NEVER
Release the video!!!!!
Anything especially an apology that’s written by a speech writer is just a script…
All you self righteous, ungrateful people I hope your closets are clean and corners free of cobwebs.
MCKEEVA BUSH CAN ONLY ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS, he did his part now the rest up to you. Your lack of UN-FORGIVENESS is your burden, therefore can only HURT you. You can decide to CARRY IT or FORGIVE him.
Yes somewhere in the Bible since we are a country who should continue to pride ourselves in the biblical principles and Christian values scripture says thT who amongst you who have not sinned be the first to cast the first stone so in essence it means that their is not one amongst us who has not committed a sin so we as Christians who pride ourselves with holding Christians values should learn and be forgiving to one another in order that we may live a good and decent life
Love one another and cherish what we have fir the end is near if one believes in prophecy
So make ready to receive the king of kings
Be sure you all have lived a good and decent life and if not then beg fir forgiveness so that you may one day enter his courts with praise and thanksgiving
I often pray and ask fir forgiveness fir I am aware that I have sinned and I humbly ask for forgiveness
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of our lord so be it so let it be done
Well done Isaac for resisting the pressure to join this mess. Your time will come.
Yes! Issac shows that he has integrity! …unlike the other turncoat..
Oh please!!! It’s Isaac’s greed and stupidity that put the country and the PACT in this mess. Gotta deal the hand your dealt and that double crossing Isaac is the blame for McKeeva ultimately!
this is not a viable solution. go back to the drawing board and form a true coalition in Cabinet from both PPM and PACT. Those that don’t get a seat in Cabinet – so be it. Country over ego.
The ppl of Eastend voted issac in because they were tired of Arden just arguing and not having a ministry. Right back where you started with some one with no experience. Say what you want about Arden he would have never done what issac did! And don’t blame Panton for working with Mac. Blame the WBW ppl for putting him back in
Issac will get plenty done in East. Watch and see.
Blame the PPM for pushing this OMOV system which puts McKeeva back in*
Yesss! Absolutely! OMOV DISEMPOWERED the voters! We should have a vote in all districts. Cayman too small for this mess!
Any charity representing women should reject this 10% slap in the face from Mac, for Panton to assume this would cover Mac’s wrongdoing speaks volumes, power at any cost.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY 1 INDENPENDET WITH INTERGITY AND RESPECT FOR WOMEN NEEDS TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STEP AWAY FROM THIS pact when the LA meets to form a government!
I have a question? I heard Macbeater apologize to everyone except the woman whose face landed on his fists. So how can it be a sincere apology? I supported the protest for a better Gov with integrity and promise and real accountability. Wayne I know you were between a rock and a hard place but damn man was the criminal from West Bay your only option? I am not sure I can look at that stupid face in wig and gown for another 4 years.
“All the things I could do…. If I had a little money, It’s a rich man’s world”…..the entire Election fiasco pretty much summed up with ABBA’s song lyrics! LOL
I cannot believe the sweet Miss Heather from fishing tournaments would lower herself to working with McKeeva. I will never look at her the same way.
I am finding it hard to believe that Heather is supporting this!.
What a Shame Heather!
What a Shame!
What an embarrassment to the many good women in Savannah and Newlands!!!
You can still do the right thing and go back to the PPM…
Also Catherine in West Bay – it is not too late to disassociate yourself from this mess.. You will both gain the respect of this country…
Didn’t she leave the PPM because of McKeeva? I did not expect much better from Wayne, but I expected better from her.
It just shows that money can and power are more important than integrity. Great example for the younger generations.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Wayne you just scorned 30,000 of us local women by putting the Devil back in power
You obviously don’t understand government and politics! If you think Mr. Panton was happy about this situation then you don’t know anything! This is Isaac’s and the PPM’s fault. McKeeva shd never have been in the mix. Take your scorn and use it well. But don’t shoot the messenger or in this case the best choice for Premier who wouldn’t let the whole ship burn for dislike of McKeeva. The whole country don’t want McKeeva genius but he’s there so use him for some good!
Hopefully Panton can get Mac to shut up and not spout garbage from the Speaker’s chair.
Were you hiding in the closet when intelligence was being shared around?
You forget – Within Parliament it is Mac who can tell Wayne to shut up and sit down
Very few things separate Alden from McKeeva. One thing you’ll hear from Mac that you’ll never hear from Alden is an apology.
Are you joking or you been smoking?
Ohh the irony, Mac is the PACT King Maker!
All you supporters PACT of “independents”, I hope you’re proud! It’s Wayne’s ego that ultimately matters right?
No fool it was Isaac’s!!!
A cocky old rooster who has been around for years may think himself king of the farmyard, but he will still walk greedily into a trap set by a new farmer because he cannot change his greedy nature.
Signing up to a code of conduct with consequences will be the downfall of any politician who cannot keep up high personal and professional standards.
The trap 🪤 is set…how long will the strutting rooster last?
There is no new Code or law and if you believe there is watch out for the tooth fairy tonight
Code? There is not now and never will be a Code that Mac will allow to bind him.
Disgraceful that a code of conduct should be even contemplated for someone in high office.
A clear indication of distrust and distain for McKeeva Bush right at the outset.
Uhm, if the king fowl falls afoul of the code of conduct how long do you think he will remain within the PACT? Methinks there may be some holes in this fence farmer PACT is going to put up around the hen house.
If the Cayman Islands had legislation in place barring convicted criminals from running in an election, there would have been a different person elected for West Bay.
GTC too
His word is meaningless. I don’t think this man is capable of doing the right thing. So disappointed in everyone involved! I was so hopeful!
Bush lands on his feet again…the King Maker and he knows if Wayne does do it then the PPM would. The difference? New law to actually make MLA’s responsible for their actions. That is not a bad start.
Mac has absolute control and once in place will be hard to get rid of – he will never allow any restrictions on him to come into place
It really is a shame. I didn’t like that Mackeeva was with Alden but at least they were already a government when the horrible incident happened. It is way worse in my books that Mr Panton would take Mackeeva on already knowing the whole country wants him gone. Really really disappointed I had hoped they were better than this. They had three more days to figure out something but went with Mackeeva because Wayne was afraid he would lose more supporters. Maybe some of those that don’t want to work with Mackeeva will see the light.
What a sad mess
I don’t like that you are right, but you are right!
So if all of the inmates in Northward apologize for their crimes, will they be released?!
Fact – If Wayne got nine donkeys to form a government, he will do it just to become Premier because of that lust for power and such hatred towards the other government.
You left the party as you claim, because of Mckeeva. So basically that was your get away ploy? What about your integrity sir? You believe creating the spin of salary deduction etc will make it acceptable to the public? That’s an insult. Nice PR spin.
I wonder what Arden McLean is thinking now, or is he quiet about it as it is evident he supports Pact. Arden be a man and call out Wayne. I dear you. Break the hypocrisy man.
Imagine Bernie Bush crossing the floor because of Mckeeva. Imagine Bernie being the first to sign to push Mckeeva out as speaker. Hey Bern don’t get burnt. Return of the Mac Bern!! Where you at?
He pretty much does.
Well, well, well….Wayne really has shown his true colors! (“Premier Designate” LMAO)
In all honesty at the end of the day THEY ALL want a piece of the pie flavored POWER! Some more than others apparently and to make that happen you got to make a sweet deal with the devil himself (Mac)
Mac is back in his seat because he was voted back in (which we, the people, can rightly feel disappointed about). However, his seat is secured because PPM refused to take any action to remove him when they had the chance. Instead, they cowardly left it to the voters decide! They are the ones who put him back in this race, which is incredibly unfortunate. It is also disheartening that he became the determining factor, due to Isaac jumping ship. This move appears to be the only alternative. With that being said, one cannot deny that, before even being sworn in, PACT has already done more to hold McKeeva accountable for his actions than PPM ever even attempted to. If Mac didn’t team up with PACT, it would be back to PPM with a majority. That is a storm Cayman can no longer weather. We have to ask ourselves how badly do we want change in our beloved islands… which pill are we willing to swallow to get there? Casting judgements is easy when we are not the ones having to make the hard decisions.
Removing Mac as Speaker would not have barred him from running and being eligible for MP. That would have required a constitutional amendment, which is what sets the criteria for who can be in office.
In the private sector if a woman/man provides false information on a job application and it is later found out to be false she/he is dismissed from the job.
In the political arena if a politician misleads on her/his true moral position and it is later found out then that person becomes the premier…
Cayman – we have sunk to a new low…
They weren’t Independents. Mr. Lindsey said in on Live stream at Sabrina’s meeting, they’ve been working together as a group for over a year. They are the PACT party. Panton, the 2 Bodden’s, Saunders, Bryan, the other Bush, Moxam and Lindsey,… and I’m sure a few more independents especially in the GT area to split the numbers. But they were the core than knew who would be premier if they got in. Word of advice to the ones that vote independents, next time around ask them if they go on to be elected out of the candidates who they would cast their vote for as Premier and DP…and that should help you see the government you’re actually voting for.
Isaac will never return to the PACT now because people will say Sandra bullied him into it.
All the hollering outside his yard and giving out his number to leave mean messages has just pushed him further into the arms of the PPM, and now we have this mess with McBeater raised high.
#SheWASSupported but not any more.
Shame on Cayman.
It’s amazing that, once again, all principles and integrity go out the window at the first sniff of power.
Our last lot didn’t have any by not booting out the speaker the moment he was convicted, and now the new lot show as much disdain by welcoming him back with open arms
I seriously wonder why any of us bother voting in the first place.
Wayne you made a PACT with the Devil with this
Wayne you think by having Mac pay a small portion of his inflated salary, his 30 pieces of silver to the crisis center , makes it all OK..?
You have proved not to be the upright principled educated leader which you portrayed .
Added to Mac Kenneth and Chris , Cayman will be changed for ever and not for the better.
What happened to your bold statements that you would never work with McKeeva? Is that just tossed aside. How can any voter trust any campaigning politician when whatever they say can change due to their own desire to win power? This is a disgrace, and while the world watches this horrible behaviour play out. Honestly, how can you even consider giving Mac a position of any kind????? Extremely disappointed.
So you would rather PPM who did NOTHING when he committed the crime under their Government reign?? Right…makes so much sense.
IMHO that apology is worth nothing. It’s lip service. I am confident that countless hours were spent negotiating the deal with Bush and it came down to his “apology” and the 10% salary donation neither of which he cares about. Had he truly wanted to apologize he would have already done so, doing so now is a clear indication that he saw an opportunity to grab back power and he acted accordingly. As for 10% of his salary going to the woman’s crisis center-the money will be helpful but the absence of that 10% won’t be felt by Bush.
It saddens me that a group of individuals that were extremely opposed to Bush remaining in office and opposed to the PPM taking no action to remove him from office have now accepted him into their fold. Some are saying it’s better because he can be kept on a short leash. Really? He will continue to be the same person he has always been. He won’t change. And we clearly have a government that will accept anything necessary to have power.
I’m quite sure the ‘negotiations’ consisted of nothing more than PACT begging Mac for ideas on what they could say to make it look more palatable.
It you care to judge who really holds the power then the fact that they have to give him Speaker, the second highest paid salary for elected government officials, and cast Alric aside like unwanted baggage, should tell you everything you need to know.
Maybe they will create a new post for Alric. He could become Super Director Director of Directors (yes, a reference to Catch-22) as they start the process of inserting supporters into quasi-government bodies.
Very well stated!
I hate the fact that the woman beater is in but it is better than the alternative which is having the PPM back in. Eastenders after witnessing some of you at the protest I must say you are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Bunch of id yuts.
The only bright thing that comes from the east is the sun.
Sicko.
There is nothing good about putting a woman beater, gambler, groper and cheat in power.
#sheissupported
I encourage everyone to go and watch the North Side chamber debate and pay close attention to Jay Ebanks. He can barely string a sentence together. What a joke.
Then compare this to the responses of Justin Ebanks and Ezzard and ask yourself how the hell did we end up with him in Parliment.
Follow da money, bobo!
Do you really need to ask? Look at who was always behind the scenes supporting him. This is not love of country. This is what is in it for me. A lot of campaign promises were made and people fell for it. This is not about voting for the best candidate. This has turned into a circus of who will believe gossip about the other candidate. Some don’t care about facts as long as they get a handout here and there. What example are we setting for the next generation?
Thank you for this intelligent comment.
I had the same thought.
Unfortunately, it seems that intelligence, forward thinking and analytical skills were not valued by that electorate. It’s worrisome that 394 voters can have such a large impact nationally.
I truly believe that the “one man one vote” system needs to be re-examined.
You are so right. Both EE and NS made a mistake in not reelecting Ezzard and Arden. Jay sounded pretty much like Barbara and David and don’t forget Alden told the people of NS to vote for Jay, go figure. Of course he did it all for love of country. Had the unity government did what they should and could have done in dealing with Bush none of this would be happening. Stop blaming Wayne. We need to form a Government, get over it ppm loyalists.
So, exactly WHO in the Cayman Islands Govt Treasury Department, pertinent Ministry, or will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that MacBeater’s salary WILL be deducted each month and the 10% WILL go to the Women’s Crisis Centre ??!!
I doubt ANY in Cabinet will have the time to ensure that when they will be so busy plotting or fending-off a coup!!
He should get the 10% and the crisis center 90%
Now this I agree with…and that should go for ALL of them. If they are all truly in it for “the people” then the money will not matter.
1:19 so the people can be greedy? They also have families and have to take care of them. We are not entitled to all of their earnings.
Why bash Panton? He did the rational thing in the beginning and reached out to all independents. He called Roy and had to end the call after 15 minutes. 6,000 people chose to leave their children and grandchildren future in the hands of us who voted and we did our part. I PPM people: call Roy or Alden and ask them to put country first. Moses and Roy can get their old jobs back and Miller or Arden can serve as Speaker (probably better than McBeater, too!)
Ahh yes I knew some idiot would be blaming the non voters for the elected officials who we’re voted in. I did my part I remained neutral.
Now your duly elected that represents you went ahead and let you down? Ohh no time to blame the non voters no one else to blame.
Clearly the views of the more than 50% of the electorate that are women are irrelevant to Wayne and his crew
Many men are in the mix too! It’s just the dinasours that don’t “get it”!
Except thats true. The PPM candidates were all re elected. Frank wasn’t a sitting MP prior to the election. Sorry, words are hard sometimes I know.
Wayne Panton, the latest in a long line of Caymanians to sacrifice their integrity for political gain.
Never had such a thing in the first place.
Don’t be fooled.
Lodge?
There you have it. The real PACT is now complete.
Let see how long this circus lasts
Wayne wanted to be premier so bad that he took on the woman beater that he used as the reason to leave ppm. It was always about power and now the power has shown all of their true colours. I hope they all have good reasons to explain to their wives and daughters about why it was best for them to pick Mackeeva. I actually give kuddos to Alden for the first time in years that he didn’t run right back to Mac.
He never ran away from him