CAYMAN WEATHERS THE POLITICAL STORM

In spite of the recent upheavals in the governing Cabinet of the United People’s Movement (UPM) administration, a sense of political stability has been assured until the next election.

A major cabinet reshuffle in the now minority government, a new election date set for April 30th and a commitment from the main opposition party to support vital legislation, have given vital breathing space to the remaining strands of the administration of Hon. Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly.

In the aftermath of the abrupt resignation of four key members of her loose coalition alliance of independent members, Premier O’Connor-Connolly has reassigned portfolios to keep her government afloat for the time being.

Her government was sent into an almost terminal tailspin with the abrupt departure of three ministers and a parliamentary secretary.

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-Wilks and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden.

With no sign of a replacement coalition or governing accommodation with the main opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM/Progressives), Premier O’Connor-Connolly still with a constitutionally ‘quorate’ governing majority has set elections for April 30th - the next constitutionally date coinciding with the natural end of the current parliament.

She has also spread the burden of portfolios vacated by her coalition partners among herself, the remaining four ministers and a parliamentary secretary.

A key decision in this reshuffle is Minister for Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan now assuming the role of Deputy premier vacated by Andre Ebanks.

NEW CABINET

- Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Premier and Minister for Finance & Economic Development, Education, District Administration & Lands, Financial Services & Commerce, Health, and Cabinet Office.

- Honourable Kenneth Bryan, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism & Ports, and Social Development & Innovation.

- Honourable Johany ‘Jay’ Ebanks, Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport, & Development

- Honourable Dwayne Seymour, Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture, Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, and Wellness

- Honourable Isaac Rankine, Minister for Youth, Sports, & Heritage, and Home Affairs

- and Honourable W. McKeeva Bush Parliamentary Secretary to Hon. Kenneth Bryan for Social, Development and Innovation, in addition to continuing to serve as Parliamentary Secretary to Hon. Dwayne Seymour and Hon. Jay Ebanks.

“These actions demonstrate that even amidst uncertainty, the Cayman Islands Government continues to operate as a modern, functioning democracy for its people,” Premier O-Connor-Connolly stated.

However, appearing on the Radio Cayman programme For The Record with Orrett Connor, the Premier did not disguise her displeasure over the action taken by her former colleagues.

“We have utilised the constitution to its fullest, I would not be a part of anything else. The overriding consideration for me to attempt this mammoth endeavour for the next five or six months is that the love of my country is the fuel that drives me…It would be a travesty to jump off the horse at this time.”

NO WARNING

Premier O’Connor-Connolly who has indicated that she will not run for office in the upcoming election said she’d had no prior formal notification of the planned mass exodus from her government, although she had a feeling that something was afoot judging from the demeanour of some of her now ex-colleagues.

“I too have a legitimate expectation to see those who were standing in the shadows now to see them as independents, groups, parties, or alliances. Hopefully, we as a country will end up in the next election with 19 persons of integrity and honesty with a passion for serving Cayman and not quitting when the country needs them most,” she observed.

Her Excellency Governor Jane Owen, appearing on the show alongside the Premier, confirmed the April 30th election date.

“Working very closely with Honourable Premier, what we’ve been trying to do is making sure that we’ve been following what is legally acceptable and recommended through the constitution.”

The Governor had also explained in a previous statement that in order to ensure that voters who register by early January are included in the official Register of Electors which will be published on 1 April, and following consultation with the Premier, it has been decided that the next general election will be held on Wednesday, 30 April, 2025.”

PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT

No further developments that could cause a seismic political shift are expected before the election date.

The newly internally-elected leader of the Opposition Progressives and new Opposition Leader, Joey Hew, has given his party assurances.

He confirmed that he held talks with Premier O’Connor-Connolly and her ex-Deputy Premier Andre Ebanks “to better understand their positions”.

“I want to make it clear that the PPM has not joined the government or any other grouping inside or outside of Parliament,” Mr Hew stated.

“ We remain fully committed to our role as the Official Opposition, focusing on holding the government accountable and advocating for the Caymanian people.”

Prior to the election date being set, he had also stated that the PPM/Progressives do not believe that the current minority government, made up of only 7 of the 19 elected members of Parliament, is sustainable for more than the very short term.

He also sought to ensure that the date set would not disenfranchise newly registered voters who are not yet on the official voters’ register.

Governor Owen has assured that was taken into account when setting the April 30th election date.

With the O’Connor-Connolly UPM government effectively a parliamentary minority, one of the burning questions has concerned its ability to pass legislation without the support of the Opposition.

However, Opposition Leader Joey Hew has all but guaranteed that they will not stand in the government’s way on certain pending critical issues.

“However, we will not agree to move forward on any contentious issues,” he cautioned, adding that this approach will provide the confidence “the Caymanian people and the international business community need and will assist in a fair elections process.”