PPM calls on Panton to go as PACT crumbles
(CNS): The resignation of McKeeva Bush MP (WBW) from the PACT Government on Thursday has left Premier Wayne Panton without a viable government, and he should step down, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has said. He added that Panton cannot secure a quorum without opposition support with a hung parliament. As a result, the opposition wants Panton to resign by 3pm today, otherwise they will call on the speaker to hold a special meeting for a vote of no-confidence.
There are now nine members on the opposition benches — three former PACT independent members and the six Progressives — and nine members on the government benches. While Panton can depend on the speaker’s casting vote, he will need at least one member of the opposition to support a call for next month’s budget meeting.
“Premier Panton’s PACT government of independents has been unstable from the outset. But now it is constitutionally unviable,” McTaggart said in a statement issued Thursday evening. “With the 2024/2025 budget now overdue for presentation, the premier does not even have sufficient members in his PACT group to form a quorum to hold a meeting of Parliament. A quorum requires ten elected members in addition to the speaker.”
Bush is the third person to resign from PACT, which McTaggart said “continues its slow but inevitable process of disintegration”. The constant infighting was bad for the country and Bush’s resignation was the final straw, he added.
“I hereby call on Premier Panton to do what is in our country’s and our people’s best interest and resign,” McTaggart said. “If he does not, I will ask the speaker to summon a special meeting of the House next week to debate a lack of confidence in the premier and the PACT Government. It is our duty as representatives of our people to act to restore stable and effective government to these Islands.”
CNS understands that Bush has still not written a formal letter of resignation to the premier, but a statement from him about his departure has been circulating widely on social media. The veteran MP is accusing PACT of being paralysed and unable to perform even the basic functions of government, including the budget.
“Despite all my, and many others, efforts the current Pact administration is unable to right its ship, endless petty, selfish infighting has ground everything to a halt while day in and day out regular Caymanians are suffering and our future slips away,” Bush claimed. “Their ship is sinking and I can’t allow it to take our beloved country down with it.”
Bush said the results of the gridlock are everywhere. He described a frustrated, underpaid and dysfunctional civil service with underappreciated teachers and planning applications stalled. Bush claimed that planning applications were down 71% year on year — which is inaccurate. However, it offers a clue over why Bush and the two previous PACT members of government left and is at the heart of the infighting.
CNS understands that all along, the rift in government has been fuelled by the powerful local development lobby, which is now calling in their favours.
Bush, who is facing criminal charges and due to go on trial next month, said that he planned to be part of the next government. “I will use all my experience and efforts to help guide us to a new government, one where I will not be a minister but just a humble servant of our people offering my best advice and guidance,” he said.
CNS has contacted the premier, and we understand he will be releasing a statement later today.
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Category: Politics
From the time that Wayne Panton became the Premier, Roy McTaggart and his party have been trying their hardest to bring down this Government. I think that Premier Panton is doing a very good job at leading the country. Look at how long Cayman was on the grey list. He got Cayman removed from that list. I could go on and on, with accomplishments they have achieved for our country.
I will continue to support this Government until we have elected a new Government. Mr. McTaggart and his backbenchers are all power hungry and will stop at nothing to bring the Premier down. Why don’t they wait until the next election and see what happens. If they do bring down this Government I hope they make good of the few month’s they will have in office and never get re-elected again. Time for new and younger blood to run this country.
When do people understand that politicians only care about themselves.
You can go to the supermarket and grab 19 random individuals and they would do better for the islands, than any of these “professionals”.
Poor ole Elmer Fudd..still trying..Looks like he at least trimmed those scary eyebrows for this photo.
This….Mac and PPM under pressure to deliver.
“CNS understands that all along, the rift in government has been fuelled by the powerful local development lobby, which is now calling in their favours.”
Have to say the PPM is persistent if nothing else. They have tried everything to break up the Government. Now they have gotten back into bed with McKeeva as last resort to take the government down.
Money, Power and greed may as well be the slogan for the PPM.
It’s called The Opposition.
Their job is to keep government honest by questioning their Questionable decisions.
Keeping this UDP undisciplined directionless mob honest, has been a challenge .
@12:35pm..A good Opposition should be the ‘government in waiting.” They should be keeping the government in check but not literally finding every little thing to break up the government. This is not good for the stability of the country but they do it because they made promises to their handlers before the last election that they have been unable to keep and the pressure is on them to find every way to discredit and break up the current government.
This Opposition, refuses to accept they lost the election and from day one they have made no secret of that and that they will do anything to breakl up the government.
Of the many things, I have noticed with the PPM in the last meeting the Opposition refused to even vote on every bill brought forth by the government and instead chose to abstain. If I were a supporter and voted them in, I would ask them why they are there and what we are paying them for? When they do show up, they abstain from voting but every month they are like pigs at a trough for that paycheck.
Mac and Alden destroying another government again..Cayman, unna nah ga enuf of these two old fools..
PPM and UDP coming together for another round. No one would believe us when we said one was just as bad as the other. They are like the rash on my behind that won’t away..
Excellent best description for MAC, ALDEN and their pack of thieving crooked politicians.
They are like dogs returning to eat the vomit.
Roy, get this straight, the majority of us did not vote for a PPM Government.
We the people need to go in mass down to the Parliament on Tuesday and let them know we want new elections and not another PPM government.
Caymanians grow a pair and stand up for what you believe in. Are we going to let the same old gang of the likes Alden, McKeeva,Julie and the rest of that power hungry, money crazed group called the PPM run the country again?
Boy, Roy Mctaggart is power hungry
This form of back-stabbing and cross-trading and isle-crossing disgusts me. What is our vote worth? We vote for and elect people based upon their platform, and then once elected, they horsetrade and end up in a government with a position that is often diametrically opposed to the position they started with.
Pointless. I TREASURE my vote. It is a priceless gift. It has no current value.
We deserve better. We deserve people who will commit to common goals that benefit the majority of the people. We deserve integrity and a bar set much higher than us mere mortals. You all make BIG dollars. I want you all to deserve the money and benefits and influence you gain.
Please make us believe in you again, because right now, I don’t think my vote is worth a damn.
Sit down you old fool. You need to support the country and premier instead of trying to pull everything to pieces, thats the problem in Cayman everyone like crabs in a barrel.
What the hell could you do? Exactly. Diddly squat.
The PPM did nothing but undermine the government of the day. Sour grapes when their promise and belief that they would for the Government in the 2021 election, and when lost, has done nothing but work against the best interests of the country.
For love of country is their motto. Yet they chose to bicker, fight, rather than putting aside their personal differences and work for the better of the country.
Their motto should be “For love of power”, not country.
Both Roy and Joey Who should be ashamed of themselves.
It’s time the country votes in reputable people who are here for the right reason
Clean house come next election
where are these reputable people that you speak of?
What choices have we had in recent elections?
There will be a real alternative next election.
The oppositions role is to hold the government to account. The PACT government has been a shambles from the start. Would you prefer that the opposition supports the PACT shenanigans rather than calling them out?
Lol – PACT has pulled themselves apart. Roy is merely pointing out the obvious.
I don’t care about who jumps and who makes a deal I just want PACT to be a distant memory !
Big Mac has caused and cost these Cayman Islands far too much reputational and other damage! This same man is calling for 20 and 50 story buildings, make Cayman the Singapore of the Caribbean, while have no vision and never speaking to the glaring lack of infrastructural needs that have us all gridlocked and frustrated, with an ever-increasing cost of living. While he’s busy eating, drinking, gambling and accosting women, all on the government’s dime. Disgusting!
Not mentioning who he wants those 50 story buildings for. Skip back over Royal Palms articles and all will be revealed.
“the powerful local development lobby”
is that another name for the CPA?
No. It’s another name for Dart.
Developers develop because the planning laws allow it.
Stop complaining or Change the law.
LOL, maybe he resigned before he got fired. Bit like giving back the title he had from the Crown.
The island is now a shambles. 1st world ambitions led by 4th rate politicians. Greed, nepotism and leaders with the foresight of sub-Saharan African despots. A transport system that is a joke and gridlock on the roads. Quite ridiculous cost of living and utilities. The expense of getting off the island for vacation or work. An education system that is embarrassing and producing borderline illiterate students which I have seen first hand. Shame on them all.
We need east west arterial bypass!
Actually I think we should relocate the airport to the east, so as to relieve pressure on the west, free up traffic (the airport is a notorious traffic pinch-point) and tilt the commercial focus of the island, development, etc, towards the underdeveloped east.
That, at least, McKeeva got right.
Wife is literally on the Dart payroll.
You mean she is a qualified professional with a good job,,,? Cos that’s what she is and should be proud of it..
@7:06pm
She may be a q ualified professional but still in a compromising role particularly when she can bend the ear of one of the most powerful (at least in his mind) politicians, in Cayman.
#heiscompromised #PPMconduittoDart
And where does your wife work? Just so we can form our opinion about you based on that info. You dolt.
2.22 many many Caymanians work for Dart.
This lady does not deserve to be singled out and insulted as if her employer benefits from her connections.
While on the subject ,and with due respect, who does Kenny’s wife work for.?
Just asking.
Aren’t you doing the same thing that you just criticized?
But it’s okay because the poster is righteously woke. Dumb hypocrite.
Maybe that’s why PACT are planning a woke $100Million resort Prison at Northward to make sure Mac’s stay is comfortable.
That , added to Kenny Beach, new private terminal , propping up the WASTE at the Port will help us go broke quicker .
Crumbles! I told all yall in mi yard that if Big Mack McKeeva and Dwayne da Rock Seymour left tings will not hold no doubt this just like if the 90s Bulls lost Air Jordan and Scottie Pippen the dynasty be over. Be behooving all day dream team need to reunite I tell you!
I dare say this dynasty never started. it was a disaster from day 1.
You don’t really mean that. Just remember all the good times n achievements with Big Mack and the Rock
I say, old bean, you tried to tap into the behoovin’, but your roll needs improvin’…
#rollback
Nice rhyme … I think if Tupac was still alive he be using Behooving a lot
In other countries during times of crisis, national unity governments were formed. Rally round the flag. Cayman is in crisis. So make some deals, Roy is premier, Wayne deputy premier.. whatever, get a national unity government. The bigger problem is lack of ministerial talent. Not much to work with. And can these guys stop being so petty and give their egos a rest for the greater good. Probably not.
ok so let’s get the bets going on who is going to jump ship next. Part of me thinks it’ll be Andre because he’s the only one doing his job and people will be happy to have him as part of any government. The other half of me thinks it’ll be Kenny who will turncoat quick to save his own incompetent butt.
Money on Kenny. Like a rat.
Hard to claim that Kenny and Jay were ever on board.
Nobody wants or needs Kenny the fool.
You sound like anti Trumpers in the USA. You need help to deal with your irrational hatred of Mr. Bryan.
I think Mac realizes he needs money, as he has pissed or gambled away his I’ll gotten gains over many years of questionable behavior in office.
Only way for him to refill his bank account is through remaining in politics…which he is desperately trying to do.
Don’t fall for it Cayman, Mac only cares about Mac.
Typical Mac… statement about teachers, pensioners , civil servants clearly means..” wote for me and I’ll Mek sure you gets plenty money.”
Anybody else seen through that..?
No Mac, been there done that…go away.
take a break roy…you have not proposed one credible alternative policy regarding anything pact have done (which is next to nothing)
He just says and does what Sir Alden tells him to say.
That’s right , it’s called Teamwork, everyone pulling in the same direction for the good of the country.
Guess UDPact everyone for themselves is more to your liking.
Oh boy the crap is getting deep now!
You mean for the good of the construction sector pocketbook. Good of the country? What a tale Pinocchio.
they got us off the grey list that guess who got us on?
Be careful social media guru you may soon be out a job if Wayne is booted
the piano man
the scary thing is do-nothing-ppm have been just as ineffective in oppostion as they were when in government.
Worse. They spent over $110 million to build one high school and then had to do costly repairs so maybe $125 million total. They’ll scream nation building was wasteful spending but that’s a drop in the bucket.
Aye. Aye. Aye.
Early elections please.
And elect whom, 4:31? You got some really intelligent principled candidates you’re hiding from us?
and wote for who?
Just asking.
You forget 4.31, the $110 million school will serve many generations.
The Nation building fund served just one individual.
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.
At least PPM have a manifesto, they can all read and write, and will work as a team.
Also, their supporters who can read and write will hold them to account, as they don’t need fridges and cookers .
“Their supporters who can read and write” LOL. I’m not a fan of PACT, but PPM, UDP etc have all gotten their wotes from hand outs from those clearly not intelligent enough to realize how easily they were swayed, much less with the ability to review a manifesto or articles of government. Roy has been grasping at what little power he thinks is in government for a very long time. On the bright side, the abuser and old head Mac is out – for now (again).
You sure David and Barbara can read and write at a level higher than or equivalent to junior high or grade school?
Barbara has a responsible job in the financial industry, David has his own business.
Tell me about Jay, Kenneth and Seymour’s educational prowess…not to mention Mac and Bernie..
Jon Jon is charismatic and a better speech maker than Barbara and David.
Compared to Jon Jon, Jay, Kenny, Isaac, Mac, Heather, Sabrina, and Bernie, we’re talking potential Rhodes Scholars.
Person who keeps calling for direct rule – I don’t think you realise the destabilising effect that would have on our economy. It would cause far more reputational and economic damage to Cayman than the stupidity and inaction of the present (and probably next) group of politicians.
Add to that the UK is dealing with their own multiple mess ups every week.
Yes 12:34, rooting out corruption and bringing about transparency in the CIG would be a terrible thing. 🤡 🤡
It would certainly be destabilizing for your finances.
Bet you are one of those feeding at the trough.
Yes! We must vet our candidates. – But who will vet them you ask? – Why the voters will of course! – Like in an election.
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.
Well that’s what the current One Man One Vote encourages… district reps basically. We need to go back to the drawing board on this one. The principle of One Man One Vote but perhaps a national pool of candidates that everyone can vote on. Cuz this isht ain’t working.
wasn’t that the idea behind the whole one man one vote fiasco? vote for 1 person in your district and they all come together to form a Government?
Mckeeva you are hereby being asked to resign from your Parliamentary post. Failure to do so will result in the windshields being filled all over these three islands, deal upon deal. Kem pli|
Look at all the infrastructure projects that have stalled or stopped since PACT came into power. Such a waste of money and time. Hopefully voters will see the error of voting in candidates, and a Govt., who have no experience in office.
Like….?
Every. Single. Road. Project.
Check out the eastern ave. to north church street. It’ll cost more to get that going again that it would have to finish it.
Name one.
The GT Landfill remediation project
The point being made is that this PACT govt. were novices who are simply not capable, collectively, to run the show. It’s that simple. As a ‘democracy’ we voted them in. We got what we wanted.
Ooooo,I don’t know..
Jay seems to have been very busy in Northside with his fill and trucking connections.
PPM Leading with Pact turncoats hahahahahahahahaha Cayman will be truly finished for good!what a mess
PACT can’t secure a quorum without reasonable collective effort and support, but we are hearing ambitious PPM leader wannabes determined to withhold that support to obstruct the business of the territory. Westminster Legislators are not supposed to be pumping-out private closed caucus legislation from their clubhouse, while the opposition bench sits on their hands or flies to Miami to go shopping.
Thank you Honorable Roy for your very wise words. You and Sir Alden along with Bush will lead us to great prosperity and wealth. How lucky our island is to have such super smart and country first leaders like you all!
This has to have been said “tongue in cheek”, otherwise God help us all!
This keeps getting stranger and stranger. What’s next – Trump coming to do a rally with Mac & Alden?
The sarcasm literally bleeds through your text so I don’t get the downvotes.
Lack of education…
Lol and Big Mac brings down another government. Cant wait for whoever wins the next election to end up fighting over him again.
Most of us hope he will be serving time offshore by then.
In what jurisdiction?
West Bay West.
All that political horse-trading for spoils, only to watch Him (Mac) & Dwayne Seymour flip-flop between Political Parties and across the aisles of Parliament WITH NO shame or purpose.