Panton outlines a new direction for country

| 21/04/2021 | 274 Comments
Cayman News Service
Premier Wayne Panton delivers his speech at the swearing-in ceremony

(CNS): The Cayman Islands’ new premier, Wayne Panton, set the tone for a new direction in government when he gave his debut address in his new job Wednesday, shortly after he and his new Cabinet were sworn into office. Panton spoke about a people-focused, transparent government in which the environment and creating a more sustainable future would be priorities. Following one of “the longest weeks of my life”, Panton said the new MPs represented the “aspirations, hopes and dreams of their constituents”. As he congratulated all the new members, he asked them to pledge with him never to take the people for granted.

In his first speech as premier, Panton thanked Alden McLaughlin for his leadership through the pandemic as well as his contribution over the past two terms. But he saved his main thanks for the people. “The Caymanian people have spoken loudly and clearly and we are charged with being their voice, their advocates and their representatives,” he said, as he emphasized the importance of the voters and his commitment that his government would reflect the will of the people in its policies.

“So today, this moment, this time belongs to all of us who believe their government should be, can be and must be people-driven, accountable, competent and transparent,” he said, as he thanked everyone for their support of the PACT Government. He said the campaign was over and the independents won the largest share of the vote. Despite their policy differences, he said PACT was united in a desire to make a positive difference to the communities they serve.

He spoke about a vision for a fairer Cayman and said there was room to address that as well as support a solid economy. He said the new government leadership would protect its greatest assets: “you, our citizens”.

Panton spoke about a kinder leadership that will be unafraid to address the vested interests that are holding back our country, “a leadership that will be creatively responsive to your daily concerns of rising inequality, stresses on our quality of life, environmental concerns and the rising cost of living”.

Outlining a number of other commitments, from upholding the Constitution to fighting for opportunity for all, he described it as a PACT to the people. Urging the people to play their part, he noted the unique aspect of over 180 different nationalities calling Cayman home, saying that this had made the country the success it is. He urged people not to give a platform to those who seek to divide on grounds of colour or accent or between those who are Caymanian by birth and those by choice.

Panton spoke about the need to address injustices born of ignorance, as well as the need to change the limited regard for the environment and a need to live more sustainably.

“Our need to over-consume and our dependency on imported products must be reviewed. Our carbon footprint is too high and we need to quicken the pace towards clean renewable energy, which is essential, as is our need to ensure that climate change resiliency measures are considered and implement in everything we do,” he said, as he pointed to the existential threat to our way of life from climate change and what will clearly be a central platform of the entire administration..

“The loss of irreplaceable mangroves and possible extinction of marine life is a price too high to pay,” he said to resounding applause. He spoke about the need to now minimise our impact on the environment, in a clear signal that this administration will be taking the country in a very different direction from the track it was on under the Unity government and its promise of more and more development.

Panton also made it clear that the borders will not be opened before it is safe to do so, as he outlined other priorities for PACT, such as access to healthcare, which he described as a human right. The new premier also committed to restoring the people’s faith in the democratic process, as he said there must be openness in the way government does business. People should be part of the process and to know what government is doing in their name, he said.

After Panton came to the end of his speech, with the help of his phone torchlight in the absence of any flood-lights for the event (already cutting his carbon footprint), the new MPs elect went indoors to adjourn the new Parliament and set the next proceedings for Friday morning.


Share your vote!


How do you feel after reading this?
  • Fascinated
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Bored
  • Afraid
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: ,

Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics

Comments (274)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    At the end of the article it says that Wayne, “said there must be openness in the way government does business. People should be part of the process and to know what government is doing in their name, he said.”

    I could not agree more with what Wayne said. If he meant what he said rather than just contributing hot air to climate change he should be open about the precise terms of the deal he did with Mac to get power. Please show us that you meant what you said Wayne. #publishthedeal

  2. Anonymous says:

    Wayne I and many others think that you are a good guy who made a very bad decision making Mac Speaker. Publish that deal and your code of conduct and we can help you sort this mess out before you lose all credibility.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I do not care what happened before Wednesday. McKeeva must go. There is no getting round that if this new government is to retain any shred of credibility. We cannot have a convicted woman beater as Speaker.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I hope that the proposed plan to march on Parliament to protest Mac’s appointment by Wayne as Speaker goes ahead as soon as possible. Will someone please post here and on social media when it will happen. I will be there with both the women and the men in my family to let Wayne know that it is his responsibility to fix this mess. He made it for his own short term gain so he needs to fix it.

    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      Mac was going to go to one side or the other, because that’s the way he rolls. No regard for the country, only himself.

      So ask yourself, if Mac had to be speaker for one side or the other, are you glad of the side that chose him, or would you have rather he’d been PPM’s speaker?

      Wayne had no choice. I’m sure he hated it. It was just the way it had to go to form a government, and that creature was necessary to make it happen. I believe it Karma. It is often far too slow for my liking.

      • Anonymous says:

        Sounds like better than PPM will be the excuse du jour for the next four years.

      • Anonymous says:

        It is a complete fallacy that Mac MUST be Speaker. He would not be if neither side chose him and the PPM had the integrity not to take him just to grab power.

        Wayne has an absolute majority. He does not need Mac. Let Mac sit in a distant corner of a back bench to reflect on his conduct.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I hope that somewhere on this list is this stupid pension we have that even if you have a million dollars in it, you only get 12k a year max!

  6. Anonymous says:

    If they want to make Cayman fairer how about they start by treating all Caymanians equally and allowing status holders to run for parliament?

    Oh and get rid of CIREBA’s 7% price fixing cartel! Bring back the free market! This would increase the volume of property transactions on the market and stop sellers asking more than the property is worth (since they lose 7% to agent fees). This increases competition and protects the consumer. Enough is enough.

    • Anonymous says:

      Good Lord, that is the last thing we need.

    • Anonymous says:

      You can forget about that

    • John says:

      This is the only country in the world where one can be a citizen and yet not able to run for parliament. of course being able to run doesn’t mean one would be elected. It would take a majority of Caymanians to decide they are a better candidate that that 10th generation guy or gal who can barely tie his/her own shoelaces. That is their big fear and why this won’t happen.

      True about the CIREBA price fixing cartel. I used to be a real estate agent in Florida. It’s a very serious anti-trust violation to collude to fix commission rates.

    • Anonymous says:

      What we currently think of as status holders will be able to run for Parliament soon, or their children will. The Constitution says you have to have a Caymanian grandparent, that’s all. In one more generation, the grandchildren of the first wave of expats will be able to run. By the end of the century, full or even half-blooded Caymanians will number in the few thousand if that, meanwhile tens of thousands more status Caymanians will have been created by the system. That was the compromise we made when the UK insisted that we provide a pathway to citizenship. We only have a few more decades to make sure we get treated better than the Native Americans did so we’re taking full advantage.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you for admitting (albeit implicitly) the law (as it stands) willfully discriminates against status holders and treats caymanians unequally.

  7. Anonymous says:

    A breath of fresh air blew across the Cayman Islands last night.

    I am so proud of my Cayman Islands today. The people spoke, and the PPM even the Governor tried to shut down their God given right but this time unlike many elections before, the people had enough and the they actually showed up not just at protests, but through social media, online blogs and even at political meetings. They made their voices heard!

    One thing I was also very proud of was the wide cross-section of Caymanians participating, young, old, new Caymanians and race, color or creed made no difference.

    Good Luck to this new Government.

    I will be praying for great success, not just for them but the entire country.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Hopefully Wayne can straighten this mess with the Speaker position out now that he has a clear majority.

    It would be very helpful if he would come clean about the deal with Mac. The only parts that are public that I know of are as follows:

    At Sabrina’s meeting of April 9 Alric confirmed that he and Wayne and Kenny and a few others had been planning for a year how to get power.

    In early December 2020, about 9 months into that planning, Mac was convicted which tossed a potential wrench into the plans and so when a motion was brought in Parliament to remove Mac as Speaker in December 2020, Kenny, and only Kenny, blocked it. As CNS reported on 15 December 2020:

    “The special meeting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a no confidence vote in House Speaker McKeeva Bush and elect a new deputy speaker will not take place because Kenneth Bryan (GTC) voted against it at a meeting of opposition members over the weekend. “

    https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/bryan-blocks-meeting-ousting-speaker/

    Many of us wondered at that time why Kenny did that apart from he and Mac being very good friends bordering on mentor and student.

    And then this past week we see it, Wayne and Kenny and the others bring Mac on board as Speaker. This was despite the fact that when Wayne left the PPM March 2020, and about the same time that the PACK started to organize to take power CNS reported as follows:

    “Panton, however, confirmed his decision to part ways with the party after the events surrounding the speaker’s involvement in a violent assault on a manager at a beach bar last month. He said that it was clear that he and the Progressives no longer shared the same values.“

    https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/panton-finally-quits-ppm/

    What is the deal with Mac Wayne? You owe it to your supporters to come clean.

    • Anonymous says:

      #transparency

    • Anonymous says:

      Please show us that you meant what you said about transparency. Release the exact working of the deal you cut with Mac.

    • Anonymous says:

      It would be very refreshing to have transparency Wayne. Please show us the terms of the deal with Mac and the new Code of Conduct all of the Members of Parliament associated with PACT have already agreed to. They both already exist so there is no reason for not producing them immediately. Doing that will hopefully silence most of the critics.

    • Anonymous says:

      If Mac was Kenny’s mentor then Kenny will have learned all the tricks of back room deals .
      Watch out for the new minister of tourism getting “creative” .

    • Anonymous says:

      Your argument is missing one key factor. Wayne initially had his government formed without McKeeva but Isaac became a traitor on him. McKeeva was only needed to form the government. Why would he now back out on the deal with Keke and piss him off so he switch sides? Then you will see Juju and Isaac cross the floor yet again and collapse the PACT. Nobody actually wants McKeeva, he was just a necessary evil in this PACT formation. If Isaac could be trusted, this argument would not even be happening. Let’s not talk about Sabrina who is also a traitor no matter how they spin it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not sure about whether that was the case or just the narrative. Kenneth took an unpopular position in December, at a time when he was already working with Wayn’ in order to keep Mac as Speaker. I don’t believe that was done without Wayne’s knowledge and support and as part of the plan to get power.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mac was not necessary – he was an expedient grabbed for short term personal benefit notwithstanding the harm him being there does to the people of Cayman

  9. News Flash says:

    What’s weird. I understand after rejecting Bush’s donation, the Crisis Center is publicly and desperately asking civil servants for their one dollar donations today? … Like… what in the world ??? 🙂 lol

    • Anonymous says:

      I know! Integrity before dollars – who would have thought that would happen – must not be politicians

  10. An insider says:

    I encourage the new Ministers to be humble; no one expects you to become experts over night but your Chief Officers know the back story to most issues. Ask to see the reports that have been shelved and rely on the recommendations therein. We can make Cayman great again – together. And get those district councils up and running.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think first we need is some transparency. What exactly is the deal with Mac – no generalities – the specifics – all of them – or was transparency a pre-election priority only.

    • Anonymous says:

      Kenneth and Bernie humble? Seriously?

    • Anonymous says:

      Hopefully Wayne will look at the WORC program and ask WHY any qualified Caymanian is looking for work???

      A good example (shameful!!) is the CIO job posted for CINICO with 49 ex-pat IT applicants??? Hang your head….

      No Caymanian with a good college degree should be unemployed and it is disgraceful that even CINICO is recruiting outside of Cayman?

      • Anonymous says:

        Are “qualified Caymanian”(s) self-qualified or they are certified and licensed in the field?

      • Anonymous says:

        I hope he can fix personalities.

      • Anonymous says:

        Many Caymanians have college degrees in subject areas where there is no demand in the Cayman Islands. Degrees in history, geography, art, etc.

        Get a degree in something related to business such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing etc. Too many Caymanians are not practical about their education and where it will take them.

        • Anonymous says:

          Who are you to determine what anyone should study? ALL degrees are valid, practical, and needed. Stop dumbing people down just because their interests and passions differ from yours. Not everyone wishes to be a robot.

          • Anonymous says:

            So a degree in Russian Studies or Mexican-American Culture or Aerospace Engineering would get you hired in Cayman? No! People must pick majors that align with the needs of local industries/companies.

          • Anonymous says:

            Lol. Find me an unemployed graduate Engineer. Now find me someone who needs a qualified historian. Get real. Some degrees, usually numerate ones, have far better employment prospects and many degrees are a total waste of time and money.

      • Anonymous says:

        A degree from florida is not worth anything. Especialy from tampa

    • Anonymous says:

      Chief officers.. Time for some new ones at those post too…

  11. Anonymous says:

    The PPM started their dance with the devil in 2013 when they did an about face and formed a Govt with their arch enemy Mac. And yes, Panton was part of that. He had failed to win reelection at that time but was still a big player within the PPM. Of course he did not anticipate that Alden would cast him aside during his time in the wilderness. But, as we have seen, that sealed the fate of Alden and the PPM in 2021.

    The obvious point is that everyone forming the governments of the past two elections has dirty hands where Mac is concerned. No one can claim the moral highground when the only aim of the game is to win. Expediency and hypocrisy are the very basis of politics.

    They will all have to live with their shame. And they can all just shut up when it comes to claims of personal integrity.

    #Sheisstillsupported

    • Anonymous says:

      March 2021

      PPM refuses to form government if the price is making Mac Speaker

      PACK – happily forms government with Mac as Speaker

      As Wayne said when he left the PPM – they have different values

    • Anonymous says:

      PPM first went with Bush in 2017. Try to pay attention.

      • Anonymous says:

        2 wrongs don’t make 1 right

        No need to keep re-doing history

        We used to eat grouper eggs/tow until very recently

        Stop your silly excuses

        Eject MacKeeva from that Chair!

  12. Howdidthathappen? says:

    Cant believe that Mac is BEATER of the House

  13. Howdidthathappen? says:

    Cant believe that women politicians actually voted for Mac as BEATER of the House

  14. Anonymous says:

    I respectfully and enthusiastically congratulate Mr. Panton and trust that he will give his best to the Cayman Islands.

    Unfortunately, the new Cabinet (Andre Ebanks, Kenneth Bryan, Bernie Bush, Sabrina Turner, Johany Ebanks, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly) does not give me hope that we will be better off in 4 years.

    I’m still completely perplexed at how we managed to elect (for the most part) the PACT members who offered the least amount of experience, qualifications, intellect and passion. I don’t mean this to come across as disrespectful but some of these people have now been given ministers for which they are completely unprepared.

    PACT could have been tremendously stronger had Samuel Jackson, Alric Lindsay, Michael Myles and Johan Moxam been successful. That would have been a Cabinet I would feel confident in. Each accomplished, insightful and passionate. I’m getting lost in a dream-world here so I’ll wrap it up.

    Best of luck to Mr. Panton and the new government. Caymanians deserve leaders who will fight for us. We’re hurting. Not just financially. Our children are in danger of having next to nothing left of their home in the near future. You’ve all heard our cries. Please remember that as you are faced with challenges.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are unhappy about them, why didn’t you ran?!

    • Spilt milk says:

      Sigh. I also hoped WBW, Red Bay, Prospect, North Side and EE would have voted smarter. The results would have given us an amazing Cabinet.

    • Anonymous says:

      “PACT could have been tremendously stronger had Samuel Jackson, Alric Lindsay, Michael Myles and Johan Moxam been successful. ”
      AGREE!

      • Anonymous says:

        Really? Kathy Ebanks-Wilks had to give up her Ministry to accommodate JuJu. Elect Sammy, Alric, and Johan, and you’re back to 2017 with 11 people fighting over 7 seats and so no government is formed because there is nobody willing to compromise.

        By some miracle they managed to form a government this time, but that was only because nobody was willing to take the risk that they would be re-elected if new elections were called.

        Don’t be surprised if the government collapses because of infighting. They only agree that they are all Independent, not that they truly have anything in common.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Wayne It would be nice for the public to see two things from the past few days. The first is the full text of your speech in front of the Parliament building. The second is the full text of your agreement with Mac.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I hope that Wayne can make a positive difference but it is important that people understand how we got to this mess with Mac and how PACT needs to get out of it.

    It was Kenny Bryan who in December 2020 prevented the no confidence motion trying to remove Mac to fail. This was during the time that Wayne says that he and Kenny and a few others were plotting to take power. To quote from that article:

    “Unfortunately, the official opposition could not get unanimous support as one member of the group, MLA Kenneth Bryan, was not in support. Without his support, the opposition cannot get the signatures of seven members, as required by Standing Orders, to request the meeting of the Legislative Assembly”

    https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/bryan-blocks-meeting-ousting-speaker/

    • Anonymous says:

      Nowhere did Wayne say he was “plotting” with anyone. He told me he had not even decided he was going to run until last Christmas!

  17. Anonymous says:

    In light of the fact that the actual voting population is a fairly small proportion of the total population in Cayman; and the fact that a significantly large portion of the population has no representation in government, has consideration ever been given to giving the expat population a voice (or representation) in the House? Not necessarily pushing for it; merely wondering.

  18. Anonymous says:

    “He then began assaulting her, pulling her hair and punching out at her as she tried to help him up.

    In the video, Bush is able to regain his footing and he heads towards the kitchen, but at that point he is seen picking up two bus trays (sizeable plastic buckets used to collect crockery), which he flings at Kwong and she deflects with her arms. The final act of violence by Bush occurred in the kitchen, where the video shows him slamming the woman against the surfaces and trying to grab the phone she is using to summon help.

    In the violent scuffle, Bush has his arm around Kwong’s neck and throws her from surface to surface. The assault comes to an end when other staff members pull Bush away and he is eventually escorted from the premises.”

    How do you feel, Panton?

    • Anonymous says:

      like a Premier

    • Anonymous says:

      The question you should be asking is why didn’t alden do anything about it.

      Alden has several opportunities to get rid of Mac over the course of 8 years but choose not to, even called an early election to protect him.

      Wayne’s hands were tied. 4 more years of the PPM or put Mckeeva in a neutral position and slap some conditions on him…That was more than Alden did in 8 years…I believe Wayne made the right choice.

      • Anonymous says:

        Bulldroppings – In early December 2020, at a time that Wayne, Kenny, and others we now know about were plottig their rise to power, a motion was brought to the Parliament to remove Mac. Kenny, who was by that point in time planning to take power with Wayne, blocked the attempt to remove Mac in order to keep Mac in the game – he was the only one to block kicking Mac out – and now we see why

        https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/bryan-blocks-meeting-ousting-speaker/

        “The special meeting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a no confidence vote in House Speaker McKeeva Bush and elect a new deputy speaker will not take place because Kenneth Bryan (GTC) voted against it at a meeting of opposition members over the weekend. “

      • Anonymous says:

        Wayne’s hands were tied – the way it looks it was the plan to put Mac in as Speaker all along. Otherwise, why was it that Kenny, who was collaborating with Wayne by December 2020, was the sole Member of Parliament who blocked Mac’s expulsion as Speaker.

    • Say it like it is. says:

      Thank you 9.59am for detailing exactly what the video showed. Yet Bush having initially said he had no recollection of the event, then claimed it was “:self defence”.Our new Premier has now reappointed this liar as Speaker.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I wish Wayne well. Best man for the job. I worry about the rest of them except Andre though. It’s a shame he doesn’t have Roy, Johann, Joey and Ezzard to support him. Our pool of smart, qualified, decent people who want the job ain’t that huge that we can afford to be benching 3/4 of them! Best of luck Wayne and co, hopefully everyone can stop with the partisanship now and help them get on with it the best they can.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Clear out the CPA with conflicts of interest everywhere. Appoint an impartial team and develop a sustainable plan for the development of Cayman for the benefit of future generations.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Should be an interesting few months ahead in the offices of the FOI and Anti Corruption units…probably fewer head winds preventing release of information or commencement of investigations.

    • Anonymous says:

      That would be nice but given the Speaker the new government has chosen I doubt that very much.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah….should maybe start confiscating some passports.

    • Anonymous says:

      If this is true, I have 1000 emails about WORC ready to present to the new Minister in charge of that disgraceful department.

      Let’s see how true these statements are in the face of the incompetence and corruption that oozes from every section of WORC.

  22. Anonymous says:

    I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and women will be able to do their job without being violently assaulted by a brazen, unrepentant liar.

  23. Anonymous says:

    👉🏽 THE CRISIS CENTER DID AN UNPROFESSIONAL THING – it refused donations from a donor because of character and polotics. I was shock to know they refused McKeeva’s donations! Its a bad statement. There are worse terrible donors [WOMAN DONORS TOO] that donate all the time. Who are they to refuse monies that could help so many women out there? STOP LOOKING AT PEOPLE’S CHARACTERS!

    • Anonymous says:

      It did absolutely the right thing, refusing to participate in the cynical charity-washing of an unrepentant, recidivist criminal.

      • George Towner says:

        But .. who are they to call donors unrepentant? That is getting political. smh

        • Anonymous says:

          Presumably they have at minimum the slightest sense of morals and decency (unlike Panton and the other Bush fanboys)

          It’s not remotely political at all. Violent, unapologetic women beaters are unfit for public office.

          It is quite simple, but some people…

        • Anonymous says:

          Panton and Bush made it political in a too obvious attempt to try ti sanitize Bush’s woman beating image.
          Simple as that.

        • Anonymous says:

          they didn’t – read their release – they were exceedingly polite – not a single word about where ‘the sun don’t shine’

        • Anonymous says:

          Dishonorable Bush has had years to “repent”. He doesn’t know what the word means.

        • Smiley says:

          Don’t we still have the right to speak freely? If we believe someone is a dishonest asshole, can’t we talk about it?

      • Anonymous says:

        That’s the mentality that you can pay your way out of anything! Should have been and is an insult! He just shouldn’t be able to sit at that high level or run anymore! Apology accepted and all.

        • T5 says:

          Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of a charity organization refusing donations from a man because they don’t believe he repented of his sins. Am I the only one who see a JUDGEMENTAL organization against men in caps ??? IT SPEAKS VOLUMNS!

    • Anonymous says:

      Is this post satire?

    • SSM345 says:

      8:49, what are your thoughts on a Minister taking money out of the country’s Environmental Fund to support churches including his own?

      Pray tell.

    • Anonymous says:

      ShockED

  24. Anonymous says:

    Politics – democracy or communist – has never worked and is not the best tool to run and or govern a country. The various positions should be advertised and the persons be selected for the posts, based on qualification, experience and what they bringing to the various positions and to be re-elected only on performances.

    • Anonymous says:

      SO….. What’s your point?

    • HeHimHis says:

      “positions should be advertised” “persons be selected for the posts, based on qualification, experience and what they bringing to the various positions” “to be re-elected only on performances.”

      All that sounds just like what happens in a democratic election.

      I can only infer that you don’t think the ‘people’ should be the ones to select their leaders?

  25. Anonymous says:

    I’m not holding my breath for Wayne to be the hero people are desperately trying to see him as. Let’s wait and see what he really does.

    • Anonymous says:

      I like Wayne.. i think he’s very capable of this position.. However there are a few on “his government” (ministers) that i feel are not up to the level/competent enough to do the job. No disrespect, no disrespect and i wish them all the best of luck! FOR OUR SAKE!

      • Anonymous says:

        I don’t know. Wayne has a questionable political past where he also put his own interests before the people especially with the law bill thing he did but also he has a very arrogant manner in my opinion. Hope I’m wrong, we will see I suppose.

      • Anonymous says:

        And who were the competent members of the unity government. Joey Who the lackey boy, Seymour, Wight, Barbara, Capt. Whogene and Harris, all educated, experienced individuals, right? It was a first time for everyone and some of these newly elected young ministers have a lot more going for them than the above. Stop knocking your Caymanian young people.

        • Anonymous says:

          @ 2:21, I said a “few” without naming them. I believe that we have some VERY competent young CAYMANIAN persons onboard also! I’ll go as far as to say for one new comer i’m very confident in. I also agree with your point on the past government! As i said I WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK, and ALL SUCCESS, We the CAYMANIAN PEOPLE depend on their successes!

    • Anonymous says:

      Ah c’mon! Go ahead and hold iyour breath. Some of us might like to see how it turns out!

    • Anonymous says:

      Whichever side took government it still felt like trying to find the lesser of two evils.

    • Anonymous says:

      Do we have a choice?

  26. Anonymous says:

    No mention of strengthening laws against political corruption or introducing stringent standards for Member of Parliament and senior civil servants and no mention of any Code of Conduct with teeth. So not much new then.

  27. Anonymous says:

    I wish Wayne well but it would be very wrong for Caymanians and other residents to just say nice speech and to ignore the horrible appointment to Speaker. We need to march on Parliament and demand a vote of no confidence in the Speaker now that Wayne has kept his disgusting promise and had Mac made Speaker.

    • Anonymous says:

      YES!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Every day that Mac is Speaker is an insult to the people of Cayman #gethimout

      • Anonymous says:

        …. to say nothing of the profound insult of allowing Bush to be speaker after his conviction and wrist slap.

        Remember, you can thank the PPM and their manipulations for having orchestrated the situation which required Panton to invite Bush to his side.

        • Anonymous says:

          require Panton to invite Bush…. LMAOROTFL

          Yes – Damn those PPM MPs for having the integrity to sacrifice their chance at becoming the government by refusing to appoint a person with a criminal conviction as Speaker. Damn them for doing the right thing.

        • Anonymous says:

          There is nothing that could keep a normal human being from disliking lying bush.

      • Anonymous says:

        He has been insulting us for years, the last 4 years Alden joined forces with him and they both disrespected and insulted the people. There is no difference between Alden and McKeeva, other than a little education. Both power driven, arrogant individuals that we should no longer have to deal with.

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh get over it now..We have had enough drama. Time to get the country going again.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wayne I hope that you will accomplish even half what you talked about. I am a Caymanian senior who will show up any day a protest is organized to get Mac out of the position as Speaker you put him in. That was plain wrong.

    • Anonymous says:

      Then March in West Bay , Voters there put him where you see him today. Go straight to the source.

      • Anonymous says:

        News flash – people who get elected in WB are not automatically Speaker

        • Anonymous says:

          9:37 News flash, he would not have the opportunity to be the tied breaker or speaker if it was not for the people voting him back in. Take it up with the people of WBW or get over it.

        • Anonymous says:

          But they can end up there so….

          • Anonymous says:

            By that logic we should blame Mac’s grandparents for having grandchildren. Wayne decided that appointing a woman beating convicted criminal to very senior post in government was worth it so that he and his posse could get power. Simple as that.

    • Anonymous says:

      You should have done that months ago. The unity government could have removed the speaker, but they were more interested in retaining their power than doing what should have been done in the best interest of the country. You may try and put any twist you wish, to try and blame Wayne Panton, but Alden and his unity team is to blame for us still having to deal with this criminal. You should have marched and demanded a vote of no confidence in the unity government months ago for condoning Bush’s action and disrespecting the honourable house and the people of these Islands. If you don’t see that, your head is truly buried.

  28. Anonymous says:

    🙃😉🤣🤪
    “I can think of no one better suited to the task that lies ahead for our next premier than Roy McTaggart” he [ McLaughlin] told the business community.”

  29. Anonymous says:

    Make the Cayman Islands beautiful again!

  30. Anonymous says:

    Traffic worse this morning.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Its nice Wayne is Premier. But i think as his group he has a few misfits.

    Madness that JuJu will continue in the education ministry, if anyone crossed the aisle i would have been happy with Roy continuing with finance, and Kenny is WAY over his head if they give him tourism.

    The more things change, the more they stay the same.

    • Anonymous says:

      But tourism comes with an enormous expense account for Kenny to enjoy

      • Anonymous says:

        true, especially if he is in charge of the stipend.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mac can accompany him on trips to the US West Coast and nearby States to show him the ropes. This is probably the first time that Kenny has a credit card where the bills go to someone else.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yep, him and his BFF Mac will enjoy first class everything as they visit Mac’s 5star watering holes and playgrounds at our expense.
        Perhaps they’ll get their own jet …for the good of Cayman of course.

    • Anonymous says:

      None of the ministries have been assigned as yet..don’t jump the gun.

      • Anonymous says:

        We need to have at least two Ministries of Sport, Recreation and Culture or something to accommodate two of these less than stellar intellects now going to be Ministers.

    • Hubert says:

      Makes no difference with JuJu as Minister as improving public education is not a priority on these islands.

      Sad but true.

  32. Anonymous says:

    An uplifting message especially on the eve of Earth Day and refreshing contrast to the ignorance of the free for all development mandate.

    ‘time to put trust in the magic of new beginnings’ – Thank you Mr Premier

  33. Anonymous says:

    No need to mention protecting women from violence.
    But then he has already made his views quite clear on that along with rest of the pack.

  34. Anonymous says:

    With a cabinet full of puppets the puppet master will be very tired. Good luck Wayne.

    • Anonymous says:

      Typo noted ??? – I think the word you were trying to type started with ‘m’ not ‘p’

      • Anonymous says:

        Well did you see alden pulling the strings for Roy yesterday..He was like a bumbling fool..now that’s a real puppet.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Open the damn borders! The hospitality sector is on its knees. There is a proven safe vaccine which everyone has had the opportunity to avail of – we cannot be held hostage by those who refuse to take it because of some bonkers beliefs!

    • Anonymous says:

      What hospitality sector? Retrain. Seek positions that are more remunerative and stable. Why are the many busy restaurants and construction sites still operating with overwhelmingly majority expatriates on staff?

      • Anonymous says:

        I dare Wayne to pull the stipend.

        • Anonymous says:

          8:18 He should! Waste of money. It is ridiculous that those in the tourism sector are just sitting on their backsides taking handouts. As 7:54 said, retrain, seek another opportunity, if even for the time being.

      • Anonymous says:

        For starters, you’re assuming just because of how someone looks or sounds that they’re expatriate and that is not always the case.

        Secondly, I have worked in both of these industries and I can tell you that both hire more Caymanians than you would think just by looking at a job site or eating at a hotel.

        Thirdly, and most importantly these industries do offer opportunities for Caymanians to train up and learn. Before you start with the cynicism, I say this because I have done it. I have been at job fairs; we have hired kids with no experience, we have hired and trained Caymanians from different fields to do new tasks. I have no reason to make this up.

        Here is the important thing that nobody wants to recognize: Caymanian unemployment issues are much more complicated than just clamping down on work permits. That’s what everyone thinks is the quick and easy fix and it’s not. This issue is tied in to educational problems, cost of living issues, crime and drugs, as well as being tied to the very specific needs of individual companies at a specific moment in time as they expand. This is not the US or the UK where at any given moment there is this big macro ebb and flow of people and jobs in and out of the economy. We don’t have a million people retiring and vacating the job force, and a million more graduating university to fill those positions. Everything here is so much more granular, but still interconnected. A developer might be hiring two people this year and five the next and all these things that connect together create barriers and problems in the hiring process and even in just finding qualified people, Caymanian or not.

        It’s just not that simple. It’s also frankly very solvable given that we are so small. But the solution will take a decade at least (whatever it is). Too many kids graduating today are too far gone down the wrong path and they will struggle for a long time as a result (Thanks JUJU). Kids who are 5-10 now, if placed into a great system will be the ones in 10-15 years to come out and kick @$$ in our economy. But we can’t just band aid this and that and kick the can down the road and delude ourselves into thinking there just some simple expat-based law to pass that will fix it all.

        So in short…move past this ridiculous line of thinking; be part of the solution (the real one) and check this crap at the door and let’s move forward.

    • Anonymous says:

      There are people who cannot take it because of health issues, not “bonkers beliefs” stop being such an asshole.

      • Anonymous says:

        That’s true but would be a MINORITY of those unvaccinated.

        • Anonymous says:

          Or you could look at the stats of all the injuries already reported related to these vaccines globally, the fact they’re only supposed to reduce symptoms and nothing else and the fact that Ivermectin is actually a drug that has been around for many years, is inexpensive and has been proven to work extremely well for Covid19, which would mean people can stop living in fear!!
          Alternatively you could just boost your natural immunity with vit d and a healthy diet and stop bullying others into unproven and now apparently dangerous vaccines against a virus that has an extremely low death rate.

      • Anonymous says:

        So we stay closed forever?

        • 8:00 am says:

          11:46 did I say that? No. I was addressing the fact that the person above was being hateful, categorizing people as having “bonkers beliefs” when there are people so cannot actually take the vaccine for legitimate reasons.

    • Anonymous says:

      Did you take the vaccine, or are you just running your mouth with vitriol just to do so?

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe those in the hospitality sector should considering upskilling themselves instead of waiting on Government handouts.

  36. Anonymous says:

    One very important issue is to dismiss the whole of the CPA board and get new members that are not so directly involved in sales of building materials and related construction services. Yes the board should have a balance across industries but not what is there right now. Then get us one health insurance provider (also have a provision for senior citizens) and a re-tooled pension plan that will really work so there is something there when seniors retire. We are all in this boat together so stop pandering to the “privileged class” who always say any change will be the end of us all!

  37. To Those Quick to Judge & Condemn says:

    🔴 GIVE THEM A CHANCE. TIME WILL TELL. We will see how they perform and relate with the People of the Cayman Islands, and with God (upholding moral laws). There is a saying, YOU WILL KNOW A TREE BY ITS FRUIT ☝🏽

  38. Anonymous says:

    What about increasing the minimum wage, Healthcare and pension, cruishsips and tourism regenerated?

    • Anonymous says:

      You killed your comment with the last two suggestions. No one wants those Petri dishes back in our waters and you would find many are loving not having tourists palancing about our shores. Many stores are enjoying serving the local community and hearing more about what the people of these islands are interested in.

  39. Anonymous says:

    talk is cheap. time for action.
    no plan for re-opening the borders is a backward first step.

    • Anonymous says:

      10:12 actually it’s a smart step consisting number are increasing again worldwide and more lockdowns are occurring, yet again. Look at what is happening to Bermuda and Jamaica. We do not need that to happen to us, nor do we need to go back to mask life.

  40. Anonymous says:

    Majority of the people aren’t allowed a vote.

    • Anonymous says:

      And the majority of those who are were bought out a long time ago.

    • Anonymous says:

      And none of us can vote in elections in Japan. Your point? Talk about an entitlement mentality!

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, foreigners have no business voting in our elections. We don’t go to your home countries and poke our noses in your business. Why you think you should be able to in ours is mind boggling. Entitlement at its finest.

      • Anonymous says:

        Terrifying if Jamaicans could vote.
        Enough do already thanks to Mac so we have Saunders , the rot has set in.

      • Anonymous says:

        Both of you using the word ‘entitlement” makes me laugh. That is not what it describes. Look at your own people that have entitlement issues!

        Is that your new buzzword?

        • Anonymous says:

          Surely entitled is a bit more passive than invasive though;) Until you are a recognized citizen of any territory/country…no, you do not and should not feel you have the right to vote. I wonder if the people that think this way vote in their country of origin?

      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah, if expats had voted where I have lived for 15 years in West Bay, McKeeva would not have been elected and you would have had a much brighter and educated Caymanian representing our area.

        Dumb and dumber rule.

      • Anonymous says:

        Actually we do. You telling me Caymanians don’t vote in the US?

      • anon says:

        8.18am I presume you exclude status holders who do not hold a Cayman passport.

    • Anonymous says:

      10:07pm….you win most asinine comment!

      Nowhere in the world affords the privilege of voting to non-citizens. Rightfully so!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      10:07 As it should be. Who are you to come to my island and dictate what is done here? Worry about your own home country.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sticking your nose where is does not belong.

    • Anonymous says:

      10:07 Why do you think you have a right to vote in a country that is not your own? Quite sure where ever you are from, if you are not a citizen (born or granted), your vote is not needed nor wanted.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is feeling a breath of fresh air tonight..

    Congrats to the Cayman Islands for choosing wisely and Congrats to Premier Panton and the PACT Group.

  42. Anonymous says:

    Loving PACT but hoping we are not disappointed.

  43. Anonymous says:

    Time will tell!

  44. Anonymous says:

    Dear Mr. Panton,
    Does this now mean that we can relax the rules on who can run for public office?
    My daughter is born here and her mother is Caymanian but she holds a passport for another commonwealth country as well as Cayman. She can now never run for public office. How is that fair?
    If a criminal can become an MP why can’t my daughter?

    • Concerned Caymanian says:

      Aldo Mr Panton

      Please take a loom at the CPA Planning Authority and all the clear conflicts of interest as outlined by the country’s auditor

    • Anonymous says:

      She can if she gives up her citizenship of that other country. One cannot serve 2 countries’ interests or at least should not appear to.

      • Anonymous says:

        Politicians in many other countries have multiple citizenships. As well, if you have a UK or Canadian Passport you are swearing allegiance to the same Queen. Yes, Canada still swears allegiance to the Queen.
        In the UK you can have multiple citizenships and be an MP. In Canada, it is the same.

      • Anonymous says:

        What about Tara?

        • Anonymous says:

          Good question. I think the court was OK with her American passport because “she didn’t ask for it” but the law still says you can’t be a dual citizen. I’d have to read the court decision on that one. My daughter never asked for it either, we got her another passport because that’s what any smart person would do…and it makes it way easier to travel.

          CNS: The decision is here (in the CNS Library under Elections, if you need to find it again).

        • Anonymous says:

          Here it is, sorry:

          Section 61 of the Constitution Order

          (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d), a qualified citizen is a British overseas territories citizen by virtue of a connection with the Cayman Islands, who either—

          (a) at the date of his or her nomination for election possesses no other citizenship and is pursuing no claim to any other citizenship for which he or she may be eligible; or

          (b)was born outside the Cayman Islands, has or had at least one parent or grandparent who was born in the Cayman Islands and is a Caymanian (or if deceased would if alive have been a Caymanian at the date of nomination for election), and who at the date of his or her nomination for election possesses no other citizenship save for any right he or she may have to some other citizenship by virtue of his or her birth outside the Cayman Islands;

          So, if Tara was born outside of Cayman then she is fine. If you are born in Cayman and avail yourself of any other of your citizenships (because of parents’ citizenships) then you cannot be an MP.
          So, as my daughter is automatically a citizen of another country at birth, and because she has a passport to show that, she cannot be an MP. If she was born outside Cayman she would be Caymanian because her mother is Caymanian, can retain that other Citizenship, and still be an MP.

          It is truly a horrible double standard and limits people just because of their place of birth and not because of their ability or perceived allegiances.

          So, in answer to the person above, yes, you can be an MP with two “allegiances” you just have to NOT be born in these islands and ya ma or fa has to be Caymanian.

        • Anonymous says:

          9.17 Both Tara’s parents are borna Caymanians obviously 8.58 wife is not.

      • Anonymous says:

        Were none of ours MLA’s born in the US or have UK passports? Didn’t know that!

      • Anonymous says:

        7:32 exactly, can only have allegiance to one.

      • Hubert says:

        But if I am a citizen of Canada and Australia I swear allegiance to the Queen. If I was Caymanian I would be swearing allegiance again to the Queen. Think about it.

      • Say it like it is. says:

        7.32am How many Caymanians have UK passports, but live here and vote?.

  45. Anonymous says:

    I wish someone could send me a picture of Alden-no-plan crying under the table
    lol

  46. Anonymous says:

    Can Mr. Panton please first address how he plans to deal with Sunset FCs plans to join the Caribbean Super League.

  47. Political Watch says:

    A better way forward.

  48. Anonymous says:

    Yawn. Fix the damn dump Wayne.

  49. Anonymous says:

    Sounding like Bernie Sanders and a socialistic song out to me…. interesting…

    • Anonymous says:

      Sounds more like the Green Party to me. To be pro environment is not necessarily socialist unless you are a developer. Developers want free reign to do whatever they want regarding the environment in the interests of short term profits.

      Glad the proposed 50 storey building will not go ahead next year.

  50. Anonymous says:

    Interesting to hear him speak of a non- racial , non nationalistic approach when he has several blunt racists in his Cabinet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.