Panton fails to explain PACT’s numbers problem
(CNS): The opposition’s no-confidence motion in the government narrowly failed to pass Tuesday night after two members of the PACT front bench and an opposition member abstained. But Premier Wayne Panton also missed the opportunity to explain how he will deal with the hung parliament he still faces, which is increasingly untenable.
As he took to his feet to respond to the PPM’s efforts to boot him from office and before he was forced to endure the indignity of his deputy premier, Julianna O’Connor-Connolly, and his financial services minister, André Ebanks, abstaining on the vote, Panton delivered a long address about what PACT had done and refuted allegations of disagreement and infighting.
However, he gave no details about what he said were “the options” and “the solutions” for the way forward.
The vote on the motion Tuesday night did not have the two thirds majority it needed to bring the government down, nor was the opposition able to secure the tenth vote to give it a majority against the government and leave Panton in an impossible position. But with three abstentions, including one from Chris Saunders, the ayes came out on top, which, coupled with the two abstentions on his own benches, has created an even more challenging situation for him.
In his brief contribution to the debate, Sir Alden McLaughlin (RED) pointed out that even if the motion failed — which it did — and government survived, PACT does not have the numbers to call a parliamentary meeting, let alone steer a budget through the House to be passed in time to comply with the law.
Panton spoke about solutions and options to what McLaughlin had referred to as his “parliamentary arithmetic” problems, but he did not give any explanation of what they might be.
The premier could secure a majority if Kathy Ebanks-Wilks resigns from the speaker’s position and returns to the back benches, paving the way for an external speaker to be nominated and then voted on. But even if she has any inclination to voluntarily demit office, which is doubtful, even calling that meeting would be fraught with difficulties, such as who would preside over it, since Panton would need all ten of his remaining members to vote in whoever he nominates as a new speaker.
However, this was not even raised as a potential solution by the premier, leaving a significant question mark over what happens next.
During his one and a half hour speech, he urged the opposition members to allow the government to complete the budget process and bring that spending plan to the House before they tried again to bring his government down. But he said nothing about how he will call that budget meeting, given that the opposition is very unlikely to assist government with a quorum for that or any other meeting PACT may want to call.
Last Thursday, the premier made a brief statement following McKeeva Bush’s resignation that the PACT team were looking for a solution for the way forward, but five days later, the public has still not been informed of what that solution is.
As the no-confidence motion wrapped up, the day-long debate had still failed to resolve the country’s clear political troubles and government’s instability. Panton is still sitting on a knife-edge majority and dependent on the goodwill of at least one opposition member to call a parliamentary meeting. Worse, two of his own Cabinet ministers have made it clear that they have no loyalty to Panton and chose to keep their options open.
See the proceedings below:
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Category: Politics
The education system in Cayman is a disaster. It has been for decades. Julianna does nothing to better this desperate situation. Wayne is delusional to suggest otherwise. This is not leadership – this is as good as gaslighting the country!
Bring in the Youth Parliament, did a much better job, more organised, more articulate and sincere than this lot of $%&#
unmitigated dribble lmao – can’t we call get along and come together and move ahead progressively. ounce we understand each other we can unlock and elevate to new heights. get it together man.
I had the misfortune of watching a lot of this nonsense yesterday, and i’m fairly certain Alden threatened the Speaker with her political career if she moved to the benches across from him..this was an extraordinary exhibition of male chauvinism wrapped up in a neanderthal green bottle (you’ll get the joke if you watched)
as to the rest of them, whats all the fuss about this Andre guy? He stood there with his prayer beads and abstained after an utterly limp handed effort at forgiveness? and he qualified as an attorney?
Joey’s watch was bigger than his arm, and he had more analogies than a bookstore
THe Donkey man is simply delusional at this stage
Chris Saunders must have thought he was somewhere else, attending something completely different
Roy can’t read
Wayne seemed to be asleep
Little Mac is such a spent force its farcical
and to think the young parliamentarians were watching
this is utterly bonkers the standard of representation, and i have not even mentioned Sabrina…or should i call her by all her names as she does? What was yesterday? How do i get that time back? Are we living in a simulation? did someone spike my food?
we are doomed without massive overhaul of elections and representatives
Dire situation but your post is the funniest, made me laugh👌
Yawn. Fix the damn dump.
Talk to DART about that. They are unable to sell CIG on their dubious proposals, all courtesy of the PPM’s last minute meritless award.
ALL MPs are paid by the people of this country.
ANY MPthat does not show up to Parliament, when a meeting is called, should be FIRED!
If you love the country so much, then show up to debate the budget, the PEOPLE’s budget that is, the budget that will help the people of this country.
If you choose to stay away from Parliament, then you should be FIRED NOW and replaced by someone who will show up to work for the people.
the pact circus continues…
when will people realise…pact were never elected… they had no common agenda or manifesto…they just grouped together for their own selfish needs.
that’s what you get for voting in small minded, small town independents.
Party politics have been a disaster for Cayman.
The ragtag band of independents has been way worse.
i think if it is one thing that the PACT has down is prove that you need party politics. the instability of this government does not look good for this country maybe even support the idea that we are a banana republic
Garrison business in full swing.
Flames of hate and racial division stoked by Saunders, Jamaican politics comes to town.
Is that worse than a small minded, small town political party?
do-nothing-ppm or no-plan-pact?????….neither thanks.
direct rule for 2 years while a new raft of political candidates are selected/vetted based on qualifications, experience and integrity. then we have new elections.
Direct rule? Are you keeping up with events in the UK? I certainly do not want to be governed by that lot.
They’ve got all the direct rule you can handle back home. Enjoy!
9.32 No.No, to Direct rule. Uk Parliament has enough problems of their own without dipping into ours.(Remember the 1 month Prime Minister?) If you insist on being ruled directly by the UK then maybe you should return there.
@9.32. You folks need to decide.Is it Do nothing PPM or Did too much PPM? Can’t have it both ways.
Do nothing for the people PPM and Did too much for the developers and themselves PPM are the same thing, so yeah, we can.
Listening to Sabrina rage about how they shouldn’t have been debating the motion because it was impeding their time to prepare a budget…
If you had actually put together a budget on time you wouldn’t have been in that debate. What a loon.
Sabrina is off her rocker. She is a terrible minister and an even worse orator. What has she accomplished in her ministry?
Get rid of her
Got a nice hair style!
Yes she came suitably upholstered for her 15 minutes of fame before the TV cameras.
Speaking of upholstered, I live in fear of having to see Juju’s selection of hats when it’s dress up time.
Fifteen minutes! Was more like 15 hours of blabbering. She is a piece of work.
Yes, we paid for it.
Listening to Sabrina was nauseating. I could only take about tenminutes of her. I can’t understand why persons who has no idea what they are talking about always have so much to say.
I listened the entire proceedings of the Parliament. To give credit , Hons Roy, Mckeeva, and Sir Alden speeches was amongst the best in my opinion. I am a pensioner and I can’t believe that that motions were passed for Pensioners , veterans, and seaman’s upliftment to $1500 and the Pact hasn’t signed off for same as yet. My God and you were all talking , MY People, my people. Do you really have your people at heart? Our indigenous Caymanian are hurting. Please resolve asap.
What about all the other pensioners?
I totally agree with you. Also Andre’s speech though short, was quite sane and eloquent. The rest we could have done without. Imagine we are paying them for that!
Whomever voted for the opposition members, perhaps it is time you call your representative out and ask them to earn the salary we all pay them. We do not pay these people to act like sulky, recalcitrant sore losers, who refuse to turn up to work or stomp off whenever they feel like it. Sir Alden, it is time to admit that the people do not want PPM any longer. Move on.
That is the purpose of the opposition, dimwit, it is not to sit there and go along for the sake of it.
They’re doing their job. What do expect the opposition to do? Do you even understand Westminister style politics? Their job is to oppose and call out the sitting government. It is not their job to coddle PACT and help them do their work. A lot more work got done when PPM were the sitting government whether not you want to admit it or not. Many more meetings of parliament happened, more bills passed, less crime, the governor never had to tell them that they were obligated to meet to discuss the countries issues and they worked together. This cannot be said of PACT. PACT are a bunch of power hungry morons who are holding each other up for their personal agendas.
Yes a lot more got done for the wealthy when PPM was in power, but it was very little done for poor.
Blah blah blah. Everyone of them got voted back in by people you probably would consider “poor”. Meanwhile pact had done nothing for anyone other than give themselves titles.
At least now we know where Hon Minister Ebanks stands.
André is one of the few that works for voters, not himself first. He has stated he would work with any government for Caymanians. That’s who should be Premier.
On the fence.
Don’t blame him given more recent revelations. I think he should step down now.
We do?
He is waiting for Sir Alden to make him a sweetheart deal, then boom he is now a PPM member.
No. We know where Hon Minister Ebanks stands TODAY.
Look at the salary of an MP compared to the rest of us. Sabrina Turner then shares that she has to ask the Power Company for a payment plan while at the same time pleading with the opposition to let her finish her term. If you have to be on a payment plan at your salary, what about the rest of us? As a member of the Government, do you feel any responsibility for the horrendous cost of living? Continued paychecks are in it for you to continue to finish your term, what is in it for the citizens? Please do us a favour and resign.
I think we should do as they do — vote ourselves in a hefty pay raise. Oh wait, we can’t.
Imagine a government that was as concerned with their constituents as themselves.
what a world, what a world…. *melt*
Let’s be honest here, numbers are not exactly PACT’s thing. Have we see a budget?
Didn’t the auditor general recently comment about how much better the accounts are (albeit still a long way to go) than accounting performed by predecessors?
Now the rabble are leaving Wayne’s team and rejoining the Power-loving Possessed Monsters, PACT is beginning to look waaaay more attractive.
That’s not actually what’s happening if you pay attention…
So I see now (I am the OP). What a fine mess…
PACT is INTACT! Catron for Speaker!
She can’t shut that TRAP now as Her Wayne Panton Press Secretary. The salary/stipend or whatever she is being paid for by the PACT govt. needs to cease.
Panton might as well have just told us what he had for lunch. It probably would have taken just as long and would certainly have been more useful.
I’ll say it again: “What a bunch of children”. Grow TF up and work together please.
Children do not act like that, they are more tech savvy, quicker minds, more intelligent and articulate. A minor could do and act 100% better!
Even Caymanians don’t trust other Caymanians for obvious reasons. Next step please.
JOCC getting ready to jump ship yet again and join whichever party is in power.
Exactly. No vote julianna carefully not taking sides do that she can keep her options open, again. Disgusting. Zero representation. Don’t vote her in ever again!!
Impeach her for her reckless spending and atrocious results as education minister for like forever.
OMG! Tell me it isn’t true. She’s Premier?!?! WTF
Dear God, please hear our plea. Please, Dear God, give us another choice than Julie in the upcoming election. Any choice. Well. Not ANY choice, but a viable one.
The sports complex on the bluff is a disgrace. Completely gone to crap, except for the track, which is nice, flat asphalt.
Please God, we really, really need someone not tied to Your church, who can represent his or her district and deserve the tens of thousands which they are paid each month.
In Your name we pray, give us a district warrior for the people.
Amen.
I swear, jumping ship and switching sides is the only exercise that woman does.
LOL
Well her degree was in physical education.!
You have your terminology wrong. JuJu has never jumped ship, she has always been Captain of the JuJu Express. She sometimes pushes others out and pulls others in, but like any good captain she is still in charge even when she is off watch.
Give it up Wayne. You sold your soul and got the title you wanted. Now please focus on Country first and help get competent people in position to properly manage our billion dollar budget and the business of government. Cabinet ministries are not bargaining chips to be used to satisfy your oversized ego.
How could he be surprised at O’Connor-Connoly as she only wants to get a cushy spot for herself so is playing the PPM. As for the other guy, he is weighing his options and letting Sir Alden know he will have to sweeten the pot more than the latest offer. Horse trading at its best. Problem will be is who on the PPM team right now will have to step aside to let the flippers get the high spots? Old Roy & Joey come to mind.
this PACT govemrent is only holding on because it has CMR to keep bullying the other minister from crossing the floor. now politics is run by the ppl who can make more noise than do real work. the same ppl who complain of inflation and high cost but don’t hold the PaCT accountable that nothing has been done to address it.
Other ministers. She and her gang of misfits bullied several ministers and began this s$&t show along with the rest of the people out there protesting after election when a proper government could have been formed. Thank Wayne and his encouragement of her for the mess we have now. People get the government they deserve. A vote for PACT again is a vote for independence, then we can kiss a true democracy goodbye and welcome Jamaican style politics if Wayne, Kenneth and Chris continue to lead this country.
Please for God’s sake, do what is right by calling a SNAP ELECTION now if you have your countrymen at heart.
Just listen to Andre contribution and you will see how bad things really are.
Shame shame on PACT. I thought you guys cared about Caymanians.
Curiously, Wayne forgot to mention PACT’s signature first success which is still ongoing – they voted themselves a large unmerited raise.
No. PPM put that raise in place before the last elections
And now a lazy incompetent government benefits.
But PACT did not rescind it.
The title of the article is unnecessarily long – Panton fails is both more to the point and self evident
Wit deep dismay in mi yard and much behooving I tell you tis what happens when the alpha males Big Mack McKeeva and Dwayne The Rock Seymour are not running da show. Frustration indeed
Did the Speaker say in her debate that she has been threatened ? I wonder by who and did she report it to the RCIPS?
We need to sincerely pray that God give all Members of Parliament the wisdom, knowledge, discernment, understanding, humility, maturity and the courage to do is what is in the best interest of the Cayman Islands and our Caymanian people.
Is that what you call praying for a miracle? Must be, because it’s not easy to bestow something upon someone that they were completely bereft of yesterday.
I think it’s plain to all that’s not going to happen and we’re headed for a trainwreck.
Thank you for an unbiased and clear report CNS, unlike CMR who has been spreading propaganda all day to save her beloved PACT, it is clear form the debates and the silence of more than 1 Government minister that the PACt is in real trouble and it is all internal. Sabrins left with egg on her face after her pathetic speech on how great things are witht he Government, we later heard from Andre that well…that is not true is it Sabs? How can we trust someone who gave such an emotionally charged debate only to find out she was misleading the country? This is why PACT is imploding, there is no honour amongst thieves.
PS. I still want to know why Andre and Juliana (both Ministers) decided that they did not have enough CONFIDENCE in their own Government to vote YES? One thing is clear, we just took a giant leap towards early elections and if this happens Lady Sabrina and most of the PACT will soon be distant memories.
I actually don’t think it’s fair to say Andre didn’t demonstrate loyalty. He demonstrated loyalty to the purported principles of the PACT acronym, and is arguably the only member of that group to have done so. He was transparent in his concerns, he acknowledged and was accountable to his and his colleagues shortcomings. I applaud him and his bravery to speak his truth.
Andre, loyalty? Ask him who paid for his election campaign.
This may seem like a small point to make or as if I am splitting hairs but I am going to have to take issue with the framing in this article CNS a ‘majority’ did not vote in support of the no confidence motion – there are 19 MPs only 8 voted in support of the motion – a plurality of MPs voted in support of the motion yes but not a majority and framing it as that is toeing the line of inventing the narrative rather than presenting the facts as they exist
To be clear for those who are unaware an abstention or voting present as happened in this instance does in fact count as a
vote all 18 eligible members in Parliament voted meaning that 8 is not a majority of anything even if they did not vote either for or against in this case an abstention displays that the MP is not in total agreement with either side
As the vote stands 8 voted in support, 7 in opposition and 3 abstained – there was no ‘majority’ in support of the motion there was a plurality 8 is not a majority out of 18 votes
Irregardless, the ayes have it.
Irregardless..?…Irregardless..?
Please go stand next to the Behooved guy.
Not a fan of PPM or PACT, however what I really dislike is the childish attitude of “if I’m not in charge I’m not playing”. For goodness sake, we are paying these people to run our country and all they can say is (and I am paraphrasing here) “You’re gonna fail, ne-ner, ne-ner, ne-ner”, on one side and the other “You can’t stop me from doing things my way”. My 9 year old niece could put on a more mature show.
Passing a budget should not be a political football. The opposition should not vote against it for the sake of politics and the careers.
Chris Saunders opens the batting by berating the Government (and the previous Governor) for all sorts of sins, but nails his Pension Bill to the mast and declares that to be his primary goal in all of this, come what may. Panton’s balls go googly and wide.
Sir Alden in his innings openly speculates that Chris will trade his loyalty for a guaranteed pass of his Pension Bill by returning to Government thereby securing Panton’s much needed 10-9 majority. His ’10 Bottles Standing on the Wall’ shanty is much enjoyed!
At the close of play, Speaker makes it abundantly clear that she is not resigning her lucrative career to return to the back bench of Government in order to provide Panton with the coveted 10th vote.
So, expect a hot WhatsApp chat between Chris and Panton this very night, and an announcement tomorrow that Chris has returned to the Government fold. Expect his Pension Bill to magically become law…
Call an early election.
Otherwise, it is a “Lame Duck.”
Wayne’s equivalent of Cayman’s cricket team.
No plan PACT and clueless Wayne.
It’s really bad news that an honesty mandate encountered so much internal friction and subversion, persistent resistance from the predictable opposition losers, and voters that still don’t understand the concept of being responsible to something greater than self. Until there are changes to the Elections Law to disqualify those with criminal proclivities, Cayman is doomed to reside in a world of conflicting interests both in policy and internal governance. This is sad, not something to cheer on.
14/11/2023 at 9:26pm: Do we pay the opposition to sulk and create obstacles? I know I do not pay government fees for them to decide not to attend House when they feel like it. In that case, they should donate their salaries to the needy and be obstacles for free.
@9.32. You folks need to decide.Is it Do nothing PPM or Did too much PPM? Can’t have it both ways.
Did nothing for us and too much for themselves… how difficult is that to perceive?