McTaggart is in the wrong party and should jump ship
Political Pollyanna writes: Roy McTaggart is currently campaigning for his fourth term in office. In 2012, after a successful career as an auditor, he retired as managing director of KMPG Cayman and the British Virgin Islands and ran for office for the first time in May the next year. In that election, he was supported by the Coalition for Cayman (C4C), a political group that insisted it was not a party, which formed to support independent candidates.
Jude Scott (CINP Leader Dan Scott’s brother and co-worker at Ernst & Young) was initially the co-chair of C4C until he decided to put himself forward as a candidate for George Town. Gary Rutty, who is currently a candidate for George Town South, was also on the C4C Committee. The group had a list of National Priorities, but first and foremost, it stood for fiscal prudence.
Elections were held on 22 May 2013 and three C4C candidates were successful. The other two accepted an invitation to join the PPM government, though not the party, almost immediately, with Tara Rivers taking a Cabinet position and Winston Connolly becoming a parliamentary counsellor.
McTaggart held out for a couple of weeks, initially choosing to sit on the opposition benches, before he, too, joined the PPM under its leader Alden McLaughlin, even though he had said on the campaign trail that he would not work with him.
However, McTaggart was accepted into the fold and became a counsellor under two ministers: Finance Minister Marco Archer and Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton (premier from 2021 to 2023 and now a member of the TCCP).
Commenting on McTaggart joining the PPM, McLaughlin said, “Mr McTaggart has said that after careful consideration, in the face of the threats to the Cayman Islands’ financial stability from a new round of tax compliance regulations and the challenges which the country faces with respect to its finances, he believed his professional experience would be better employed in a proactive way from the government benches.”
In other words, he did what was best for the country.
In December 2015, he became a fully fledged member of the Progressive Party. In 2017, Archer lost his bid for the new single-member constituency of George Town Central to Kenneth Bryan
Kenneth Bryan (GTC incumbent) is deputy premier and tourism minister with the UPM while campaigning with the PPM as deputy leader of the party. More, but the PPM nevertheless managed to form a coalition government with McTaggart as the new minister of finance.
When McLaughlin stepped down as party leader in March 2021, McTaggart was voted in as the new leader of the PPM and was leader of the opposition until he handed the reins to Joey Hew
Joey Hew (GTN incumbent) is the leader of the PPM (aka Progressives). He served as opposition leader from October 2024 until the dissolution of parliament. More in August 2024.
So, following his career as an auditor, crunching numbers, the arc of McTaggart’s political career began with the support of a fiscally conservative group, which led to him working with a highly respected fiscally prudent finance minister, which led to him taking over that ministry and following in his footsteps.
As opposition leader, he frequently criticised the PACT/UPM
PACT was a group of independent MPs who came together after the 2021 elections to form a government. It later became the UPM. More administration’s handling of the economy, and the PPM has made it clear that they believe they would be better stewards of the Cayman Islands’ financial situation.
Which would be all well and good if the PPM were still the PPM. But it’s not.
The glory days of 2013 are long gone, and of the party members who were elected in 2021, only McTaggart and Hew remain. Of the new candidates running on the PPM ticket, only Roy Tatum has a significant history with the party, having worked behind the scenes for many years, and is the only one with a real chance of winning.
After McLaughlin, Moses Kirkconnell, Barbara Conolly and David Wight all decided not to run in this election, the party ranks looked pretty thin, and efforts were made to boost its chances of forming a government.
And so, advances were made to two members of the minority UPM government: Bryan, a man who positively oozes ambition to be premier, and Dwayne Seymour
Dwayne Seymour (BTE incumbent) is the Minister for Border Control, Labour, with the UPM and has joined the PPM for this election campaign. More, who crossed the floor of the House three times during the last administration and who doesn’t appear to have any skills necessary for government other than an ability to get elected.
With the help of those two, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, the sitting premier and inveterate party-hopper, was wooed and finally persuaded not to retire, after saying numerous times that she would, and instead join the PPM (or re-join; it’s not entirely clear if she was previously an actual member).
With the right inducements, the last two UPM lame-duck Cabinet members, Jay Ebanks and Isaac Rankine, might also be persuaded to join, but would no doubt insist on Cabinet positions as rewards.
Former PACT Cabinet member Chris Saunders
Chris Saunders (BTW incumbent) is running as an independent and has said that a group of independents plans to be part of a coalition government. More (who wasn’t an actual UPM member but appears to be aligned with UPM ministers) has made it clear that he would work with the PPM and would probably want to bring his buddy McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (WBW incumbent) is the longest-serving member of parliament (the “Father of the House”), having represented West Bay continuously for three decades. More with him.
So, if the PPM manages to form a government, it could very well look like this:
PPM proper: Hew, McTaggart and Tatum = 3
UPM: Bush, O’Connor-Connolly, Seymour (all former UDP), Bryan, Saunders, Ebanks, Rankine = 7
That’s a ratio of 3:7.
If Tatum fails to win the Red Bay seat, they might be able to persuade Rolston Anglin (former UDP) to join them. Then the ratio would be 2:8.
A BIT LOUDER FOR THOSE AT THE BACK: The PPM government would not be a PPM government but a UPM/UDP government.
According to PPM party rules, the leader is elected by the members of the party, but the UPM/UDP bunch don’t seem to necessarily stick to the rules, and they are not bound to do so by the law, which says that the elected MPs pick their leader.
It’s perfectly possible, then, that Hew would not be the premier, at least not for long, and the post-coup government would be a continuation of what we have now. It’s what happens when a few frightened chickens invite a group of foxes into the coop to protect them. Probably not that sensible.
Recently, Hew tried to blame the massive swing in Cayman’s financial situation on the four members of the UPM who resigned before the swing happened because they could see what was coming and couldn’t stop it.
But Hew knows perfectly well that to form a government, he will need all five of the UPM minority spend-like-there’s-no-tomorrow Cabinet members, not just the three he has welcomed with open arms already, plus Saunders and most likely Bush.
It would not, in fact, be all that different from the PACT/UPMPACT was a group of independent MPs who came together after the 2021 elections to form a government. It later became the UPM. More mess, except that they are all a bit more confident this time — less like herding cats and more like herding tigers with swollen heads.
The question for McTaggart is whether this is really the party that he wants to be a part of. Nothing in his background suggests that it is. In fact, the CINP, with its roots in business acuity, and the TCCP, with its conservatism and ethics, seem more his style, and a TCCP/CINP government seems more like his natural political home than the ragtag, slippery bunch he would end up with in the PPM, all fighting for a seat in Cabinet.
After the elections, if the scenario outlined above becomes reality, McTaggart, for the sake of us all, should once again do what’s best for the Cayman Islands and its people and jump ship. And take Joey and the other Roy with him.
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Category: Viewpoint
Dan and Andre between them will have enough seats to form a government, and they’ll join eachother no problem.
Roy will flip if asked to, may even be after they form a govt. T
PPM are convinced they’re winning this but ignore the people – the people are not fooled by the desperation of welcoming back into the party Kenny and juju and the people know all about the back door chats with Mac
Joey so desperate to have the title he’s doing deals with anything that breathes.
So long PPM
Saunders said that he and Kenneth, and Dumbdum, Jay and I think Mac, had already met to agree who would play what role in the next government.
Be afraid Cayman, be VERY afraid of this slimy sinister POS is disrupting the rules of civilized behavior, in an attempt to divide Cayman along the lines of race, as he plots independence….His Jamaican followers forget why they had to flee Jamaica.
Don’t vote PPM where he hopes to go after the elections.
Like most Caymanian “politicians” Roy McTaggart is a freemason and as such, he has a loyalty that transcends his affinity to Cayman.
Now I have no idea whether Roy knew what he was getting into before he signed up to the “brethen”.
Only Roy knows that.
I think it would behoove the voting public if someone put Roy on public record with this important question.
It’s simple. Roy, are you a freemason?
There, I asked it.
We should ask the same to all of our prospective representatives.
And if he is, so what?
Is he a member of Rotary? Is he a member of a church? Is he a member of Lions? The list could go on and on!
You narrow minded and stupid people should think before you open your mouths. If you did then perhaps your stupidity might not be so obvious.
Roy, you be whatever you want to be. This is still a free Country and you are free to assemble with whoever you want to!
Mac is not. Freemason because.
1..They wouldn’t have him
2..He doesn’t do anything Free.
Paid Mason would be his choice.
As a GTE voter Roy M is my preferred candidate for the fact that he is well experienced and qualified. However, partnering with Kenny and Juju does not align with my vision. Therefore he has lost my vote.
It’s no secret that these new parties want Roy to join them. He never allowed spending to get out of control and as a finance person who follows the numbers I understand why they need him. I urge voters to do their research – the numbers don’t lie.
In the 7 years of PPM leadership 2013- 2020 there was a healthy surplus every year. In fact, the 4 years where Roy was at the financial helm, surpluses were in excess of $100M every year, including 2019 when the surplus was $144M. That healthy surplus was what allowed this country to protect people during the pandemic and have choices on how to manage the crisis. While our Caribbean neighbors had not choice but to open up their counties resulting in deaths. Prudent financial management by Roy included arranging an emergency line of credit for $150M . Between the $144M in surpluses, no debt and a reserve line of credit, the PPM handed over a government in great financial shape. Wayne Panton admitted that publicly. What the PACT and later Minority government did with that is a travesty that we will all pay for years. The truth is that when the PPM took office in 2013, the UDP left high debt and a financial mess. Between Marco Archer and Roy McTaggart, they cleaned up that mess, paid off the debt and got the finances back on track. Sadly, the financial wake of the PACT/Minority Government isn’t that different. With over $400M in debt and a predicted deficit of $80+M this is not a time for amateur hour – we need the expertise of Roy who understands finance and economics and can manage this counties finances. As they say, past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Do your research and vote wisely.
Roy wasnt the one spending mone
Disagree: Roy, even as Financial controller, admitted to not keeping track of limited NRA duty waivers granted by his party to their preferred developer. This is a material forfeited receivable loss to the CI General Revenue account. Even tens of millions should matter to voters at this point. Especially when crime is rocketing higher and drug and addiction rehab services see less than a single million in governmental support. There is a social cost to not doing the job.
To 3:29pm: The problem is HOW the POM created surplus. By selling important land such as Pageant Beach and all of Red Bay waterfront for stamp duty; by approving an excessive number of both minimum wage and higher end work permits; by providing concessions no one in government is monitoring up to now. Under Juliana, we got more teachers, but the curriculum stagnated so… no, sorry. Their surplus became a liability for the average Caymanian.
As a teacher, I can attest to classes overcrowded with well paid staff, and yes, inappropriate curriculum. I would guess Juliana to to blame.
Roy for Premier!
Old Roy needs to do our country a favor and just retire. As for the rest of the slug PPM or whatever they are, they all should get into one ship, go out to the deep blue sea and sink because if they get power again this country is done. Just look at how the writer describes them, absolutely disgusting. Jamaican politics right here in front of us, makes me want to vomit!
K B how much money you cost us tax payers on the Barbadoes CAL run ? We need more accountability. Need more value for money spent.
Barbados paid for those flights .
Yeah same way cruise lines will pay for our piers,! Don’t be so naive.
If Roy M always does what is right, then he would leave, but he doesnt leave. Roy M is not as “good” a person as you think
Staying in the party that includes Juju, Mac, Kenneth, DuhWayne, Lonnie , Saunders, Joey and UDP stragglers makes Roy a part of the problem.
Leave PPM Roy and be a part of the solution.
PPM will likely win 8-9 seats. The election is over folks.
If that is the result then Cayman is over
Mac’s mass status grant Jamaicans are now the PPM’s main voting block.
Mac Kenneth Saunders and Dumberthandumb are in office because of them.
If we have a PPM government Cayman’s death spiral into the 3rd world will accelerate.
The 2003 Status Grant names, summarized in the low thousands have been published in the Gazette for over 20 years. You need to understand that 3-4x those numbers have since been added properly via the adjudicating all-Caymanian CI Status and Permanent Residency Board based on points and Caymanian-overseen merit cases, marriage, and Caymanian ancestry. These numbers include many career Financial Sector professionals that can (a) think for themselves, and (b) solve for X without inducements. This is also further evidenced by the PPM not being returned to power in either name or mandate for the last two elections.
I reluctantly have to agree. I always wanted to believe Roy was a good and righteous guy (my personal dealings with him have always been pleasant and above board) but you are what you do and hanging in with this perverse version of the PPM is like taking up with a gang of hoodlums. Roy is guilty by association I’m afraid.
Er, I think Roy McTaggart is actually where he belongs,in the party that isn’t made up of quitters…actually that should be a proper noun…Quitters.
Alva Suckoo, the PPM candidate for Newlands) quit the PPM in 2015
Dwyane Seymour quit the opposition to join PACT, then quit PACT, then quit the opposition again – all in one administration.
Julie, who quits parties and joins parties to get what she can
Like those quitters?
Most of the PPM candidates are newbies and so havn’t been around long enough to quit.
Kenny-boy didn’t quit the PPM, he was fired from it.
You’re full of sh!t
Like 1:57pm, I hope Roy is smarter this time around. If he had jumped ship in 2021, PACT would not have been as easy to sabotage by Kenny, Julianna, Sanders and McBeater. Wayne stood in the way for all of them. The first two were power-hungry and could not wait to dip into the coffers; Saunders was surprised to find that as a Minister, he had to play by so many rules; and the last one gets his way by manipulating gullible people into thinking his suggestions were their idea in the first place. We need these toxic people gone from government.
Nice try with conspiracy theories. You are making assumptions that dont exist to create chaos for electors. You are not part of PPM management and you forget that PPM has a group of 13 candidates that many have a chance to win.
Delmura us strong in East End and Justin is strong in North Side.
Upsets are coming.
Why anyone would even entertain the idea of putting back the likes of Juju or Kenny back is astonishing, but then again McBeater continues to get re-elected. I think I’ve lost all faith in humanity if they get back in given the last 4 years.
People seem to have short memories. PPM refused to form a government with Mac McBeater. PPM won all of their seats but one and only need one elector to form a government. Wayne and PACT ( not so independents) welcomed him with open arms after saying he would never do that – remember it well “SHE IS NOT SUPPORTED”
The need for power at all costs drives bad decisions!
Short memory is right. PPM formed a coalition government with Mac not that long ago (after he had been in court multiple times for sexual assault amongst other things). You are an absolute fool if you think they wouldn’t have brought Mac in if they had 9 heads and needed 10. I can only hope that the PPM is at least paying you to spout off such idiocy and that you’re not doing it for free.
I was around when the PPM was getting organised. Nothing of the coherent fiscally prudent policies the PPM’s early days remains. Roy – It is well past time for you to leave what is now the UDP is sheep’s clothing and join forces with the others who best able to lead Cayman forward.
2.58 we are GTE voters and sadly won’t be voting for our preferred candidate Roy McT because we are scared of the UDP government he will bring with him.
Kenneth, Mac, Juju, Dumbdum, Saunders will seduce independent stragglers to join them , and that is what we will get if we vote PPM..sorry Roy and bye bye Joey.
Thank you for your excellent Viewpoint. You are absolutely right. Joey is finished and if the current faint shadow of the former PPM gets elected we will have Kenny as Premier together with a Cabinet from hell.
Having known Roy for decades, I can say without hesitation that he is an honest man who loves Cayman. I hope that Roy sees the light and returns to his political roots that preceded the current UDP in waiting that is masquerading as the PPM.
Joey, Roy, Donna, Alva, Crystal, Justin, Pearlina, Delmira all bring strengths to the PPM ticket and are fine upstanding people who will add tot he partys strengths. I now have faith in PPM and will be voting for their candidate in my consistuency.
You mean add to the party’s lies. They all make videos with pure lies and expect us to trust them. Roy is now corrupted and acts like a true PPM-er.
Delmira upstanding? Have you not been reading the news for the past few years?! Justin is what? Pearlina who? Do you not watch her body language and how she speaks to people and treat her staff?;
I sort of read this piece perplexed.
Roy has given no indication that he is unhappy where he is – he has cosigned basically every PPM policy since he joined them formally.
If he was going to jump ship the time to have done it would have been in 2021 when there was a genuine potential for something new emerging – and his voice divorced from PPM nonsense might have actually contributed something meaningful to the PACT government and reduced the influnce of idiots like Dwayne Seymour and Mckeeva – instead he decided to stick with his buddies in the PPM.
He is one of them – the rest of this pieces is basically just a fantasy.
Well-written and persuasive article, except for the last sentence.
On the contrary, this viewpoint is completely detached from the reality that Roy is XXXX. The delusion of the post is simply accentuated by the last sentence.
A good viewpoint except for the very last sentence!
As a GTE voter I have supported Roy and I will continue to support him in this election. Unlike Panton and Scott his motivation is not almighty power….. at all costs. I choose to vote for the most qualified and experienced candidate that will represent me. I don’t know about you, but I want Roy at the table negotiating with the UK over who controls Cayman’s finances, not a retired submarine manager or an uneducated environmental activist who lies about her education and credentials, who recently reinvented herself as resource consultant with one client and we all know who that is.
McTaggart is not favourable to win back his seat and there has been mention that his mental capacity may not be there anymore. Perhaps why he was replaced as Party Leader?
He’s definitely got more capacity than Em has
Come on, she plants trees
Roy McTaggart is more qualified, a decent person plus a better man and leader than Joey Hew everyday of the week
Well written and measured commentary.
In Plainspeak, Roy McTaggart , given his integrity and education , does not belong in the Wolfpack rabble now calling themselves PPM .
He should Absolutely join either TCCP or CINP where he can be of most service to an electorate now begging for decency and service from their representatives.
For decency and service there would be only one viable option, TCCP. Beside Andre in Roy we would definitely have a good team.
Good analysis except does anyone actually have any faith in Joey and think he is capable? Roy Tatum has been there every step of the way with PPM, he has obviously been living the good life and if he still has a conscience should apologise to Cayman and drop out of the race.
Roy is a massive disappointment and he definitely belongs with the ragtag, slippery bunch that is the modern day PPM. It’s amazing how Roy is so comfortable in a political party that has a deputy leader that he had repeatedly criticized and condemned.
What a pile of garbage. Regardless of what you think of the PPM, their finacial record speaks for itself and it can be easily reviewed. UPM made some bad financial choices, but the PACT government with Andre in charge of finance doubled Caymans debt in under 2 years. Roy is where he needs to be which is with a party that has a track record of financial stability. The UDP before and PACT after both have terrible financial record in comparison and that’s a hard fact whether you like the PPM or not. You keep buying into broken promises from a dysfunctional, repackaged PACT government, don’t come crying when they quit on the public again and leave in limbo.
CNS: Quick fact check: Andre Ebanks was never in charge of public finances. He was the financial services minister – offshore stuff – so he helped increase the revenue not spend it.
You’re either an idiot or a paid bot. The dysfunctional, repackaged UPM/PACT government is now the PPM. Perhaps you should read the VP before commenting.
Andre was not in charge of finance. From the time Wayne resigned in 2023 Julianna has been premier and minister of finance. Andre was minister for financial services. Big difference.
Do it, Roy, and you will get my vote! Right now, you will not.
GTE voter.
I would vote for anyone before voting for the fake scientist that condescends actual experts when she only has a high school diploma to her name. Imagine putting yourself forward as an expert to lead a ministry where they have Caymanians who actually put the time in to gain their qualifications. Gaslighting us while saying we shouldn’t be gaslit
Well there are a few PPM and would-be PPM candidates that do not even have the diploma, so I guess they are out as well.