Parliament to meet after Panton confirms new PACT
(CNS) Premier Designate Wayne Panton submitted a revised letter of support to Governor Martyn Roper on Tuesday, triggering a proclamation for Parliament to meet on Wednesday at 3pm. The governor’s proclamation has been gazetted outlining the meeting where all 19 members elect will be sworn in. The vote for premier, speaker and deputy speaker will also take place, after which the new Cabinet will be sworn in on Fort Street, outside the House of Parliament. The new letter was signed by ten elected candidates who were successful in the recent General Election, according to an official press release.
The revised letter is understood to carry the signature of McKeeva Bush but not that of Isaac Rankine, who withdrew his support for PACT within hours of signing an original letter given to the governor last Thursday. He has since joined the PPM-Alliance and signed a letter of support with that group of nine members.
Given the questions surrounding the appointment of Bush as speaker, a press release from Panton’s office officials explained that “to ensure a smooth transition of administrations and to avoid any doubt”, Irma Arch is to be appointed as temporary speaker to ensure that a quorum of ten members within the Parliament is present.
Panton thanked the governor and his team for all the assistance and guidance provided during this transition.
“They have all been professional and patient as we work through the democratic process,” said Panton. “I would also like to thank Ms Irma Arch for agreeing to preside over this historic occasion and it is a testament to our islands that during challenging times we can always rely on our women to play an important role,” he added.
“I want to thank the thousands of our fellow Caymanians, and those who call the Cayman Islands home, that have reached out to me and to my team to not only offer their congratulations but also their desire to assist in moving our country forward. Their willingness serves to remind us all that Community Creates Country and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.”
The Constitutional Commission issued an explanatory note Tuesday, which pointed out that in circumstances such as those faced by the country right now with Panton’s narrow majority, the Constitution is silent on who should preside over the election of the speaker. This is the reason for Arch’s temporary appointment.
While the current situation leaves Panton with a very narrow majority, it nevertheless is a majority, and despite claims made by Roy McTaggart, who it appears will be sworn in as leader of the opposition tomorrow, Bush will be able to support the government even if his team decides to oppose all legislation brought by PACT.
At the time of posting no comment has yet been received from the PPM-Alliance but CNS has reached out to McTaggart’s office.
See the explanatory note from the Constitutional Commission and the governor’s proclamation in the CNS Library.
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Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics
The goverment of woke posers, and opinion grovelers
They at least had the decency not to include McBeater in the photo.
The mass misunderstanding on the part of the public in general, of the process of forming a Government is a direct result of institutional ignorance – i.e. simply not knowing! No insult intended.
Why?
1. Civics haven’t been taught in any Cayman Islands high school curriculum since the late 1960s/early 1970s, to my knowledge. Therefore, at least 2 complete generations have no knowledge of politics and its systems – among other topics which impact the social fabric;
2. Very few people educate themselves on such matters;
3. Uninformed social media bloggers and so-called “media” sources have warped facts, instigated and promulgated a lot of BS, driven by sentiments and passions – not by rationale or knowledge.
We all know our education system has been broken for decades, here is a primary example.
Let’s see what will PACT do towards that crucial, fundamental and basic facet of our society. Start to improve the education system as the FIRST PRIORITY !!
Actually, most of us would like to see Mister Bush begin his incarceration for his crimes start immediately!
Let’s not assume this will be the end of it, expect some more antics!! It’s all pathetic and wasting our time. Whoever get’s sworn in will be $hite so may may as well just crack on. Every country the same on the planet, the promises when lobbying for votes are unreal and when in nothing mirrors what was sold to the voters.
McKeeva for Premier! With votes from his old friends in PPM he should win by a landslide.
The only Government that will prevail is the one that will be upon His shoulders.
Everything else is born of the will of man.
Fortunately, that day is not far away.
Mr. Panton while you up there thanking everyone please remember to thank those brave soldiers on the front line who protested against the PPM. Make no mistake without them it would have been a very different outcome.
Brave soldiers? 🤣🤣🤣
Well done and congratulations to our new Government!
Whilst I understand some are not happy about some particular decisions, it had to be done to ensure the Gov’t the people wanted is put in place.
It’s called politics. And I understand that. Quite sure that particular leash will be kept short.
Now let’s Celebrate!
I look at half the people on the left of that picture and I want to cry for my country
You want tissues?
Or laugh
Not a country.
If we’re going to get pedantic, “Not a country” is not a sentence.
When can we get a new attorney general please?
When can the border open?
Really Mr. Panton you and the remainder of the PACT members are no different than the outgoing government. Enjoy your one term. My family and I will never vote for you and anyone associated with you again.
6:55 oh shove it drama Queen. It’s about what is better for the country not just you and yours.
Lol couldn’t have said it better myself! Thank you!!!
Not a country
That’s the best you got 12:20? Just going to keep repeating your drivel on every comment?
Amen
Cool so you going to vote for ppm then? You know the party who decided that disbanding the government and calling early elections was easier than just removing mac?
You know, the people that literally caused this mess in the first place?
In a parliamentary system new elections are called whenever a functioning government can’t be maintained. It may be messy and inconvenient but that is what we have here. Call for new elections now and move forward.
Soon come.
I agree with you, 8:44pm. They cannot seem to grasp that whereas a Speakec can be appointed without having been elected, only those elected can be MPs. Mr. Panton TRIED to get all independents, he tried to join forces with the PPM – both approaches were not entirely successful, so he had only one option left to give us the indecent-led government we need. People, please!! Let’s do our work at constituency level and support our respective MPs. It’s time to stop the whining and roll up our sleeves.
Instead of blaming Mr Panton, you disgusting set should be blaming Isaac Rankine for running an independent campaign to the very end and turning around to be a PPM member – deceiving the people of East End – and his people are infuriated. As they ought to be!!!!!!!!!!
He ran for himself. He decided for his own self. He did not do it for East End.
Please do not tell me he spoke with no committee. He doesn’t have one!!!! His committee has no seasoned, experienced veterans who could advise and guide him through anything and that’s how he just killed his political career.
6:03 Yes! However, people of these islands seems to be too dense to realize that. Had he not been a flip flopped, none of this would have occurred. But he has no morals or integrity.
They should have kept Arden, plain and simple. He would have never joined up with PPM and we would have had the government we wanted. This tragedy is on Issacs head 100%
Isaac never deceived the voters of East End. PACT is an after the event group with 8 or 9 different manifestos. Isaac may realize this could become a big mess. And he probably didn’t appreciate being besieged by an out of town rabble stirred up by several so-called and partial journalists.
This man has no courage, no conviction and anyone thinking he will support his constituents are very misguided. Its all about “ME,ME,ME’
Section 65 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and states that it is the first item of business of the new House. Note it does not say appointment of a Temporary but Speaker and Deputy Speaker. It looks like such a move is outside the Constitution and is being used for political expediency. Is this now going to be a recurring feature of this Administration? Ate they going to appoint a temporary Speaker every time they want to ensure that their bill get passed? If Mr Bush is alive and well and present why won’t he be sworn in. It just doesn’t pass the smell test. I would suggest that the Governor get advise from source other than the present Attorney General. May be Bush should do the same before he discovers that the temporary speaker becomes the permanent Speaker and he is relegated to just a backbencher.
I have hate Mac for a while long before he attacked the lady at the bar. I blame him personally for starting the development of seven mile and putting in place policies for foreigners to take over seven mile. But if you tell me I have to choose him or PPM polices. I’m going with Mac. It’s like having to choose between Trump and Putin
What do you know about Putin? Russians love him. Russia is united. It is safe in Russia. Children play outside unsupervised. Over 190 ethnic groups peacefully live in Russia. Some are dark skinned. Lots of Koreans and Chinese live in Russia for more than 2 centuries. Sense of security and peace was overwhelming when in 2019 my family took a trip from Vladivostok to Moscow and St.Pete.
Go live there then as you saw what they wanted you to see. Turn a blind eye to unscrupulous poisoning of your enemies, invasion of other countries at will. The prevailing energy there is fear. Keeps Um well behaved though!
Ukrainians aren’t that fond
Do you honestly think that was the point I was making or you just wanted to brag that you went to Russia?
This is how they protest in Russia today. Khabarovsk. Navalny’s action on April 21.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR90O-MXLk0
Go to Russia. They are scared of him. Stalin tactics are happening now. Open your damn eyes.
LOL
Russia is 6.612 million mi² compared to the Cayman Islands 100 mi²
What can you possibly know about Russia from your tiny rock? Oh, I forgot, you have televison.
Or maybe I lived there. Idiots assume too much on here.
Agree. I attended 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
It’s been my experience that most people who sing the praises of today’s Russia are racists. Actually, it’s not most people – it’s every single person I’ve met who thinks Russia is a great place. I’m assuming you’re white … and privileged, since you have the cash to travel Russia to watch sport?
Perhaps you need to attend anger management course?
And England lost, again.
The theme for the most vocal of PACT supporters lately is that this isn’t their fault, Wayne was dealt a bad hand and had no choice but to place McKeeva in the very position he purported opposed.
Firstly, hogwash. Wayne made a choice; it was not forced upon him. Own it. Accept that he bears personal responsibility for the decision to install McKeeva Bush as Speaker of the Parliament. That after McKeeva was convicted of assault, Wayne made the affirmative choice that being Premier was worth ceasing to #supporther.
I’m sure in his mind, and in many of these posts, it’s for the purported “greater good.” Fine, use that on your scales to let this country know that there is a line, but this wasn’t it. Not sure what the actual line is then, but at least put your hand up and say “for me, she is not supported anymore.”
Your hands are not clean, his heart is not pure. So get off your high horse pretending that there was not a calculated decision made and accept responsibility for it. At least then you’ll be transparent. To do anything less is just cowardice.
Wayne made a convicted criminal Speaker so he could be Premier. Nobody made him, he chose to do it. His government made McKeeva Bush Speaker. Wayne, Chris, Kenneth, André, Katherine, Heather, Sabrina, Jay and Bernie. Not the Progressives. Not even West Bay West. They do not control the decision made by this group of people. Those 9 individuals decided that despite many of their campaign promises to not form a government with McKeeva due to their moral integrity, did exactly that. And that’s the decision they felt they should make, but it was not forced upon them. They were not held at gun point. They chose this.
The fact that before they’re even sworn in you’re already making excuses for their choices and abrogating their responsibility to those choices speaks volumes louder than your platitudes and hashtags ever did.
Lastly, the Progressives are no better. I get it. They didn’t hold a vote of no confidence to remove him as Speaker when the assault first took place, nor when he was convicted for it. Their hands are not clean either. They’re reprehensible for the same reason all the PACT members are. But all of you who are planning to celebrate PACT being sworn in who also protested the previous government for not removing him, take your hypocrisy elsewhere. Unless you plan to show up with placards and pressure to remove the Speaker, even at the threat of destabilizing government (sound familiar?), your words in the first instance meant nothing.
Grow up and own this choice and what that means about Wayne, PACT, and how ephemeral your purported values actually are in the face of a real challenge, rather than a moment of convenient conscience.
They might as well change the T to stand for translucent, because like you said the only thing transparent is their need to lay blame and sweeten the taste of the words they have to swallow. These people also have zero knowledge of the politicians they idolize outside of the last 4 years. Mr. Panton left the Progressives last year… which means for 7 years he was on board with every decision made and is partly to blame for the Cayman they claim has not worked for the people for the last 8 years. I hope they still have this fight when it comes time to speak out against this government as well because being anti-PPM is not good enough to get approval.
PPM caused this..they poached initially two weak independents from a previous agreement.
Case in point…
Big Mac, can you please tell me if you forgot already that Wayne resigned from the PPM because of you. Alden refused to throw you out after all the backlashed he got from Arden, Ezzard, Heather and oh my Wayne.
Sandra, blasted you day in and day out on her blog and she has nothing to say now. This makes me laugh. Wayne would be my last resort after what he did and say.
Wayne left because of Alden.
To clarify 7:32am…
Please read CNS article. https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/panton-finally-quits-ppm/
“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.“
Per this evening’s news, a Commission will review the “problems” with this election (and the last for that matter), pertaining to, among a few things, the process of selecting the Cabinet. Any Commission can only recommend and it takes the Government to implement (or not). There are definitely problems with the process and it would be hard for any Commission’s recommendations to ignore them. So let’s see what will result in the recommendation to give the people a say in who forms the Government – not just who gets to sit in Parliament. In other Westminster models, the endorsement of a Party gives the people that opportunity. Here we keep this “Independent” desire but don’t want them to become some kind of “party” to Form a Government? So what’s supposed to happen, chaos every time??
Let’s see what “Government” does with that topic….4 years to tell!!
Hopefully not – I would rather see another election in a few weeks.
I hope we get a new election soon. This government is a joke
All governments are jokes it’s just finding one that is more or less hilarious depending on the needs of the sheep.
Watch Isaac vote in with PACT tomorrow and give Wayne a solid majority!
I wish they had told us that beating women was part of their platform before the election! Shame on you all. Absolutely disgusting.
Revisionist bullshit. He clearly wasn’t part of their platform until that fool from East End flipped
He clearly was a part of their platform – you know, where most of them said unequivocally they wouldn’t form a government with him. And then, you know… they did.
Easy to judge and cast stones when you are not the one having to make the tough calls.
What would your solution be? More PPM? Pray do tell since you love to judge so much.
Everyone disliking this comment still hasn’t offered up a solution.
You all just love to have someone to blame… this one, that one. How about you blame the 458 people who voted Makeeva back in IN THE FIRST PLACE. Wayne Panton had to work with the hand he was dealt.. which was dealt by West Bay West AND Isaac. Isaac would have flipped same way, leading to Wayne working with the West Bay West elect which could have, AND SHOULD HAVE, been Mario. We continue to choose between the lesser of two evils because of the choices THE PEOPLE make with this One Man One Vote!!! The choices we make influence the choices our elects then have to make! Educate yourself to become a worthy competitor in the next election since you know EXACTLY how to do everything so perfect.
So Wayne had no choice? Seems like a pretty weak leader if all those other people are responsible for his actions. Maybe they should all be Premier instead since you seem to think they’re the ones who led Wayne to doing what he did.
So what is your solution? You have so much mouth but I don’t see any solution coming from you…if you don’t have one, how about you sthu and let the process play out.
On the contrary you small minded big mouth Wayne has already proven what a great leader he is by trying to work with others who either double crossed him or wouldn’t cooperate out of greed or pride-then made the tough choice of going with Mac! It’s the tough choices in life that separate the men from the boys! Go have a nice day in kindergarten and get some education about life.
What exactly is letting the process play out here? You mad because your head hurts trying to rationalize away the about-face by your unrighteous leader? The process is playing out, but it’s just doing so in a way that undermines all those empty promises the PACT foundation is purportedly built upon.
Turns out that they’re all a bunch of shits, every last one of them. So quit polishing the turds like they’re somehow different from the previous ones.
8:02 You really think you are some righteous God, don’t you? What makes Wayne so “unrighteous”? Because he put aside personal feelings and did what was best for the country…giving the people the independent government we wanted?
Get off your high horse, you would have made no better decision in his position.
Watch and see that he keeps McKeeva even when he no longer needs him. What’s that say?
11:13 More than likely because he won’t go back on his word once it is given. Man of honor. PACT implemented measures to hold people accountable for their overall conduct. Way more than the previous government did and it has only been 3 days.
Get over it and give this government a chance. If you have an issue, go to WBW and take it up with the people who voted him back in.
On the contrary you small minded big mouth Wayne has already proven what a great leader he is by trying to work with others who either double crossed him or wouldn’t cooperate out of greed or pride-then made the tough choice of going with Mac! It’s the tough choices in life that separate the men from the boys! Go have a nice day in kindergarten and get some education about life.
Telling you left the women out of it, just like Wayne did when he joined with Mac.
9:12 you are flapping your lips a lot but not providing anything sensible to solve the problem.
So, Mac is in. Yes, it is disappointing and not what many of us wanted. However, we have gained the independent Government we wanted otherwise. PACT is implementing accountability measures, which is a good thing. PPM is opposition now and you can bet that if someone breathes incorrectly they will jump at the chance to point that out. It’s really the best of both worlds.
If you want someone to blame, blame those who voted Mac back in. Blame Issac for flipping on the independents when he claimed he would be one. Sometimes the solution to the problem isn’t always favorable. However, we must give it a chance.
the POS PPM forced this by $$poaching$$ a new and self interested independent.
My drinking problem forced me to beat her
Same thing with GTS voters choosing Babs again
Should have represented your constituent instead of yourself Isaac….your people aint too proud of you buddy.
Can’t wait for the spotlight to move to our new Ministers. They have been hiding behind the smokescreen of Alden and Roy bashing up until now. Time to sit in the hot seat.
I’ll take “Shit Shows” for $600, Alex.
Well if they taking their legal advice from Bulgin, no way it holds up.
Glad to read that the Crisis Center rejected the Mac/PACT money – I hope Wayne takes the hint and rejects Max
How would they then form the government without him? Ya’ll we fine with him being with ppm. At least PACT is implementing accountability measure, which ppm failed to do.
So where’s Julie?
When was the last time the Sister Islands had no Cabinet/ExCo representation, either from the political side or the appointed civil service side through the Chief Secretary? 50 years ago?
She’s adjusting that rear view mirror Elvis was talking about!
The LA has to vote to appoint/remove the proposed Speaker, and nobody knows this process better than Bush, and everyone that lived Cayman Islands politics in the last year. Bush might yet be 404, and PPM may yet defect…
Everyone should support the new government of the Cayman Islands especially with progressive legislation that reflects the will of the people. Obstruction and foot dragging will be recorded for action next time. Lets get it on.
Will Mr Panton be wearing his #sheissupported shirt?
Please, get over it. If there had been another option, I’m sure Panton would have taken it.
Legalize It!!!!!!!!
So you all now ok with Kee kee look like?
Jus like you was ok with Austin in the last gov’t. Nobody on PPM held him accountable for his woman beating.
11:25 preach. Just like they were okay with Mac for donkey years and did little to nothing when Alden and his government didn’t hold him accountable for beating that girl. People love to jump on the train of justice after the facf
Exactly how low will you stoop, Wayne?
So you would rather a ppm government with Mac…again? Make it make sense.
How dramatic can you be
Waiting to see changes in the Cayman Islands, such as, lower cost of living, better education, jobs for Caymanians, a voice for Civil Servants, they can vote – they should be able to voice their opinions and join into protests. Civil Servants have Human Rights just like everyone else.
Looking forward to GREAT things happening for these islands!
Changes? With Mac in charge?
You will see none of the above. Check back here in 6 months when the next government takes office.
I hope it takes less time than that
6:58 civil servants have a right to vote.
Do you have a right to speak out and publicly criticise your private sector employer? Do you have a right to tell the public not to support your private sector employer?
If you don’t why do you think civil servants should be able to.
Civil servants have a right to vote a right to protest and sign petitions in certain circumstances.
Politicians doesn’t meddle in civil service matters.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
6:58 I have similar hopes for our beautiful islands. I hope that many naysayers on here have the surprise of a lifetime.
WooHoo!
I think Mr. Panton just showed us he knows how to solve issues and quickly, instead of sitting there and complaining about it. Could be an interesting and good time for Cayman.
It will definitely be different. Possibly more transparent.
T in PACT is for Transparent – so we will be holding them accountable to that.
Looks more like T for Temporary.
We should start a pool on how long this will last. I say 6 months.
6.49pm Really ? Why didn’t he tell us before now that the plan was to appoint a temporary speaker to manoeuvre the system to suit his aims. Is this even legal. Is it in the Constitution for a temporary Speaker?
He just showed that he’s just like the rest of them.
Look, buddy: yes, having so and so in the line up is not ideal but you know what? Get over it and get working for change.
#integrityisforsuckers
Shut up.
6:55 so what would you do in his position?
Retain my integrity. It’s not that difficult.
11:51 By doing what…letting down the people of these islands by allowing PPM to take over again? You are just as bad if that is your mindset