Politics
Premier remains silent over governance vacuum
(CNS): Twenty-four hours after half of her Cabinet and one backbencher resigned, leaving the government without a functioning majority, Premier Julianna O’Connor-Connolly has failed to address the country, though CNS understands that she held closed-door meetings with the opposition yesterday. The premier’s silence is not unusual, and this is not the first time that the […]
‘High-value transaction’ was trigger for resignations
(CNS): Answering questions about why he and three other members of government resigned from the UPM on Thursday, André Ebanks wouldn’t say what specific thing triggered their departure and suggested it was the “totality of events” over the last few months. It has been clear for some time that ousting Wayne Panton from the position […]
Business community jittery over government crisis
(CNS): Despite reassurances from former deputy premier André Ebanks and Governor Jane Owen that the government is still functioning as normal after three Cabinet ministers and a parliamentary secretary resigned from the UPM government on Thursday morning, the business community has reacted with concern. The Chamber of Commerce said the resignations amounted to a “seismic […]
PPM appear poised to prop up ‘dysfunctional’ UPM
(CNS): The opposition might align with some of the remaining UPM Cabinet members following the resignation of four key figures from the administration Thursday, saying it was dysfunctional. The PPM released a short statement indicating that the party is ready to provide “the leadership” for the country. CNS understands the PPM met with Premier Juliana […]
Ministers and PS resign amidst UPM dysfunction
(CNS): Deputy Premier André Ebanks, Ministers Sabrina Turner and Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden have resigned from the UPM Government, effective immediately. Ebanks said their position had become untenable after several months of dysfunction, disorganisation and a lack of professionalism.
JOCC calls for financial independence from UK’s ‘big stick’
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has said the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility, which gives the United Kingdom the power to veto the Cayman Islands budget if it falls foul of the strict criteria, should be reviewed. She said that this jurisdiction needs to be more financially independent with “our own internal FFR” and described the UK’s […]
Changes coming to restrict status grants, says minister
(CNS): The minister responsible for immigration, Dwayne Seymour, has said the Cayman Islands Government is working on a number of amendments to legislation that Caymanians had been asking for relating to the pace of growth and “people walking onto our shores and getting status”. He said, “None of us are happy about the pace of […]
Cabinet approves bills to protect youngest and oldest
(CNS): The Ministry of Investment, Innovation, and Social Development (MIISD) has published four bills following Cabinet approval that will be debated in parliament when it next meets. Officials said the proposed legislative reforms aim to bolster protections for children, young people and older people. Social Development André Ebanks described them as “substantial amendment bills” that […]
Bush calls for new expats to ‘integrate or evacuate’
(CNS): Former Cayman Islands premier McKeeva Bush has said there is a growing “trend of people coming to our shores and want nothing to do with many native Caymanians”. During a press conference on Wednesday to launch a new political non-profit organisation, he called on these new arrivals to “integrate or evacuate”. The veteran MP […]
Premier participates in Commonwealth talking-shop
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly rubbed shoulders with leaders from across the Commonwealth this week on her trip to Samoa, where she is representing Cayman and the other UK Overseas Territories. According to a press release, on the first day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), O’Connor-Connolly had productive meetings with Samoan ministers.
Mac launches non-profit ahead of plans for re-election
(CNS): McKeeva Bush MP (WBW) will be running for office again despite previous comments that he was stepping away from the political fray. On Wednesday, Bush launched what he described as a non-profit organisation (NPO), which he is inviting people to join. He said it will eventually shape into a new political group and hopes […]
