André lays out PACT doubts, warns of resignation
(CNS): André Ebanks MP (WBS) fell short of a public resignation from PACT on Tuesday night in the parliament, but he made it clear he had concerns about the PACT group’s conduct and culture that could see him resign in the near future. Riding high on his success as the financial services minister that got the country off the FATF grey list, Ebanks said all the members of the PACT group had to commit to doing better and should collaborate with the opposition.
In a short and calm address to the parliament during yesterday’s no-confidence motion debate, Ebanks said that to hold high office, leaders must “exhibit respect, professional conduct and collaboration” and should “lead by example”. Any success they have achieved has been about the work they put in but also about conduct and how people perceive the government. “I can’t honestly say the government has not had its shortcomings on those counts,” he said.
Referring to Sir Alden McLaughlin’s allegations that the current government was driving civil servants to the brink, Ebanks said it was true. “It is true… there are civil servants more stressed than they have ever been,” he said, noting how “nerve-racking” it is to present to caucus even at the best of times, and it was up to ministers who, like him, have been on that side of the table — as senior civil servants — to bear more responsibility. He pointed to the difficulties created for public sector staff when “it seems the Cabinet is in a battle with itself”, which he said was “unprecedented”.
He told the parliament that culture and behaviour matter because they are connected to carrying out policy objectives, and if the group didn’t get the culture right, it would hinder higher achievement.
“When we formed, the rationale was to have those collective thinkers who could think freely converse with each other, respect each other. We have to do that to achieve more for our people,” Ebanks said.
“The arithmetic must be fixed; we can’t deny that,” he said as he reflected on the two paths suggested by the opposition leader: either a new PPM government or a reformed PACT. But Ebanks said that would be just the start of it. “It about us committing as a group to a better culture,” he said. “If we are going to fulfil all the challenges that lie ahead… I will put my hand up to say: I must do better.”
PACT has had cycles “of this”, he said, referring to PACT MPs threatening to move from one side to the other, and each time after regrouping they say it won’t happen again. “But it has, and now it’s nine-nine,” he noted.
Ebanks said that while he believed they could still pull things together and that he was willing to work towards that, he planned to abstain on the no-confidence vote, and if things go wrong, he would resign.
“If I step up and you all step-up, we can fulfill the mission we started, which includes collaboration with the opposition,” he told the parliament. “The sternest notice that I can give the group that I am serious this time, I will do my part and if everyone chips in, we can reform somehow and get it together and exceed expectations.”
He said he would abstain on the vote. “And if we don’t make it because there is some crash or some scandal, there won’t be any long letters or me expounding. It will be a two-line resignation, putting country first,” Ebanks said. “I don’t believe that God put something together that was supposed to fail,” he added, as he urged the team to improve the culture.
See the proceedings of parliament during Tuesday afternoon on CIGTV below:
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Category: Politics
Not to fear, not long before John-John’s flag flip to another direction!
I listened to Andre and I thought it was a lot of self-serving dribble.
Talking about he will speak up next time!! No backbone when he could have made a difference?
Was not impressed. Came across as a weakling out for himself.
A little too late Mister Ebanks.
There’s 12 of them. Take a while before enough of them jump ship to make it worth Dwayne’s while. More chance of him getting arrested for DUI or assault 😉
Andre has no back bone. Always hedging his bets. i saw that in the last election where key people in the PPM helped him get elected. He talked from both sides of his mouth – while being loyal to his Kingmaker Wayne. Same thing this time – playing both sides with long stories of how he cares for the people when all he cares about is Andre and his political future. The only way he would be a part of a coalition government is if he was a leader.
I am frightened by what i see with all of these ‘first time MPs’ they EXPECT a ministry, or even in Andre’s case expecting the leadership role. This was the plan all along – kick Wayne to the curb so they can all get what they want.
I am hearing Julie will get her $5o million dollar school in the Brac and Mac build one worth $60 in West Bay. The people of this country need to demand better! We will have taxation soon because we simple can’t afford all this.
Please call another election. Have McKeeva as the Premiere. Julian as Deputy and Wayne speaker. The trio make a good team. They are older and more experience. Julian will keep a balance between the two men. In the mean time they can train Andre to be the next Premiere. But for right now, while bright, he also needs experience.
You are kidding right? Big Mac has been the biggest disgrace to cayman for decades. I hate traveling (for work) across the Caribbean, because when I mention where I am from, intelligent people laugh about our rookie corrupt and silly politicians – always using Mac as the beacon of fools.
So how did the budget discussions go today now that all the differences have been resolved?
Appears their only concern is to ensure civil servants are paid on time.
Overpaid on time.
He is the most indecisive paranoid person. Andre could have done so so many times and he was urged to do so when forming a government but he chose to go along with Wayne CMR clown show. He makes poor choices and wants to blame everyone else around him. Instead of being loyal to Wayne (who is only loyal to Wayne) he should grow a pair and do what his constituents wanted him to do in the first place.
So Wayne and Sabrina were both outed as straight up liars by members of their own government, those are the facts.
Whatever happens, whoever ends up in charge, for the love of god, keep Andre on. He’s the only one who has a clue!
And..apart from Wayne, he’s the only one of the rabble who has an education..
The biggest spender and worst performing education minister for 12 years running is now the Premier?
She’ll drain all of Cayman’s funds and continue promoting her idiot lackeys into ever more powerful CIG positions.
We need snap elections now.
The Cayman Islands can’t afford this old washed up inwualified fool to run the government.
She s a career failure. My child (now in university overseas) read the news and asked, “Is that the same horrid women atop the bulldozer in the Brac?”
I forgot about the church paving scandal?
Career failure? LOL. She is one of the most successful politicians in Cayman history. Been premier twice, speaker twice, and a continuous history as a MP for 27 years. 27 years on the fat cat payroll. You shouldnt confuse a lack of integrity and morals with career success when it comes to politicians.
Yeah 1:16, McKeeva Bush and JuJu. Our best and brightest.
Does not get any better than that. 🤡 🤡😱😱
Man, we just can’t get rid of this PACT of Clowns!
There you have it Cayman. Your only hope for a good future Premier.
We can hold our nose and suffer through JuJu while she gets her 15 minutes of fame then an actual adult like Andre can take over.
During JuJu’s 15 minutes of fame she will start construction on the Lady Juliana University of Cayman Brac, at a cost of $10 million dollars for every year she has been an elected MP.
Thankfully we have the PMFL which should put a stop to that nonsense.
It’s too watered down to serve its true purpose because the politicians needed it that way to continue their valued family and friends connections.
Well said Andre. Also excellent statement made by Kathy at the end of the debate.
An excellent statement based purely on principle, nothing to do with being given a cabinet post. No sirree bob.
And according to CMR to form a more functional and less self interested group he decides to join forces with Ju Ju, Chris, Dwayne and even Mac?
Just as you think it can’t get any worse, it does! Whose feet she washing now!
Well it can’t be her own feet she washing because she can’t reach them.
So literally the same government, less Wayne. 😂 Should be an interesting ride.
Government ministers constantly taking about the struggles the civil service face. What about the larger majority of the private sector? We pay the same CUC bills, same grocery bills, pay for the same services AND we don’t get our pension and medical insurance covered at 100 percent, cost of living pay increases and get to go home at 4pm. Not to mention that, if we are honest, the larger majority of the private sector works harder than a majority of the civil service along with not having almost guaranteed lifelong job security.
That’s when you realize that people for them, is civil services not the whole country.
Preach it.
I think you missed the point of his words. The struggles he was mentioning related to the issues between the civil service and “some” in the government.
Please don’t resign Andre! You are the single most effective and COMPETENT MP in the current government. We need you to continue the sensible reforms which you have started within your ministry.
Apart from Wayne , he is the only one with education and prospect of employment outside politics.
The rest of UDPact need to be there as they have no education or employment prospects in the real world.
Learn from this and Be careful who you vote for.
Please don’t resign Andre! You are the [-]single most[/-] only effective and COMPETENT MP in the current government. We need you to continue the sensible reforms which you have started within your ministry.
I’ve been one of his loudest supporters, but he doesn’t belong with this pack of wolves. Wayne and André ought to pull a new team, new blood for 2024, or early election.
Awww the civil servants have to work a full day. Poor things
Just waiting for Sir Alden to make him a sweeter deal. Don’t worry Andre, you know how to play those cards don’t you old boy!
Collaborate with the opposition??? The same opposition which is trying to do a political coup d’état?? THAT opposition?
I don’t support either side. I wish we’d do away with the party system and force elected officials to *gasp!* actually work together to accomplish something.
Of course, that would require cabinet to make that change, which translates to “never”.
Hear hear, how about “here is your job description” we expect 40 hours a week with 25 days vacation and carefully limited perks, now DO YOUR JOB!!
Oh yeah, HR review every 90 days and you may not always like your colleagues, but DO YOUR JOB!!