CAYMAN GOVERNMENT: BUSINESS AS USUAL...OR UNUSUAL

Efforts by Hon. Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly to maintain an air of continuity for her depleted government are being observed in a pensive ‘wait and see’ atmosphere.

The abrupt resignation of four ministers en masse in the past week (though it is said that divisions were brewing for some time) caught many in Cayman by surprise considering that the next general election is just a matter of months away - due by April next year.

Gone from the United People’s Movement (UPM) government are Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services & Commerce, Investment, Innovation & Social Development André Ebanks, Health Minister Sabrina Turner, Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilk and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden.

However, Premier O’Connor-Connolly, who over the past months had been giving several unprompted hints of her intention to quit politics, now seems intent on toughing it out - at least up to next April when the polls are constitutionally due.

“I want to assure the people of the Cayman Islands that a constitutionally viable elected Government remains in place,” the Premier said in a statement following the four ministers’ exit.

“With a majority of five sitting ministers, inclusive of myself as Premier, the Cabinet is constitutionally quorate and therefore fully able to function.”

There’s been a flood of speculation over their individual or collective reason to call it quits.

‘Was the move intended to trigger early elections?’ ‘Were there behind-the-scenes machinations?’ ‘Has there been another coalition in the making’? These are just some of the many questions being asked.

In a social media post advising the public to “stay tuned for information on upcoming public meetings”, now-former Deputy Premier Andre Ebanks said he resigned as minister “because there were too many differences on urgent matters of national importance.”

He listed a lack of transparency in major financial transactions such as the ReGen project, lack of urgency in dealing with beach erosion, whether to amend the National Conservation Act, resistance to reasonable and objective discussions on escalating costs of the new Cayman Brac High School (Ed. This is in the Premier’s constituency), and lack of courage to consider the proposed Sexual Harassments Bill.

Her Excellency Governor Jane Owens issued a statement on the crisis, seeking to reassure that the business of government within the public service is continuing.

“I am in discussions with the Premier, Hon Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and

will provide a further update as soon as possible. In the meantime, our public service continues to discharge their duties to ensure continuity of service to the public.”

Meanwhile, Premier O’Connor-Connolly digs her heels in and insists that her government is not in disarray and will continue functioning despite the departures. With literally half the Cabinet gone, portfolio re-assignments and reshuffling are awaited.

Left in her UPM’s coalition Cabinet are Ministers Kenneth Bryan - Tourism and Ports, Dwayne Seymour - Border Control, Labour and Culture, Jay Ebanks - Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, and Isaac Rankine - Minister for Youth, Sports and Heritage.

McKeeva Bush remains on the government team as Parliamentary Secretary to Mins. Seymour and Ebanks. Mr Bush, a former Premier and Speaker, recently held a press conference announcing the formation of a new non-profit community organisation which he has called the Organisation for a Better Cayman Islands (OBC), with the objective to scout and screen candidates for the next election.

While he credits the O’Connor-Connoly UDM administration with some policy successes, Mr Bush made it clear that there are areas that he has misgivings about in the independents-led coalition government.

“There are good things happening,” he declared but indicated that there are areas of concern. “There should be collective responsibility but yet people want to opt out of certain things,” he stated.

With Premier O’Connor-Connolly seeking to dispel doubts about the stability of her government, the main Opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) issued its own position statement on the state of affairs.

It called the situation “a crisis” and demanded “swift action” by the government.

“With these key figures stepping down, the Cayman Islands faces a defining moment that demands swift and decisive action to restore confidence and chart a secure path forward.”

The PPM also said, “A credible, organised, and unified government must be established to ensure that the country is placed back on a steady course.”

The Opposition Party also indicated that it was prepared to play at least an interim role.

“In these uncertain times, the PPM stands ready to provide the leadership that the Cayman Islands needs and we are carefully considering the available options.”

A main question remains – how will this current situation affect the UPM legislative agenda for the remainder of this Parliament and its period in government?