Premier Attends High Level Meetings in UK

By: Communications

Premier Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly is on an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend a number of high level meetings and engagements while participating in the Education World Forum.

On Monday, 20 May, the Premier met with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Overseas Territories, David Rutley, for her first in-person meeting with the Minister since becoming Premier.  In addition to exchanging of courtesies, matters discussed included the need for consultation and broader engagement on the United Kingdom/Overseas Territories Strategy, home fees for Caymanian students in the United Kingdom, preparations and support for the upcoming hurricane season as well as support on national security and irregular migration issues.  The Cayman Islands progress on beneficial ownership was also noted.  Her Excellency, the Governor Jane Owen joined the Premier for the meeting with Minister Rutley. 

The following day, Premier O’Connor-Connolly attended meetings with Members of Parliament Stephen Doughty and Anna McMorrin from the Labour Party’s Shadow Cabinet to build relationships and to exchange perspectives on a number of issues, continuing the Cayman Islands policy of cross- party engagement.

On Wednesday morning, the Premier accompanied by Minister of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport and Development, Hon. Jay Ebanks, sat in the Speaker’s Gallery at the House of Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions and was acknowledged by Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Lindsey Hoyle. 

The Premier hosted a dinner on Wednesday evening at the Palace of Westminster with Members of the Cayman Islands All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) as well as other Members of Parliament and the House of Lords.  Premier O’Connor-Connolly took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Chair of the Cayman Islands APPG, Sir Graham Brady, for his 27 years of friendship and support for the Cayman Islands.

“Against the backdrop of what has turned out to be an extraordinary week in United Kingdom politics, it was important to engage in meetings which strengthened relationships and mutual understanding.  Our efforts to continue to tell our story to decision makers in the United Kingdom are continuing to bear fruit.  The Cayman Islands are a success story, and we are very proud of our many achievements across many areas,” noted Premier O’Connor-Connolly.

“Today’s surprise announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a UK general election being called for 4th July serves as a timely reminder that relationship building remains essential.   I am deeply honoured that despite their busy schedules, seven Members of Parliament including Minister Rutley and four Peers joined us for an evening of fellowship and re-connection.  I wish to acknowledge our UK Representative Dr. Tasha Ebanks-Garcia for her exceptional work in raising the Cayman Islands profile in London,” she continued.

The Premier, in her capacity as Minister for Education also attended sessions at the Education World Forum, from 20 to 22 May accompanied by Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education, Lyneth Monteith and other staff members from the Ministry and the Department of Education Services. The forum explored the theme, “Encouraging AI understanding, building human relationships and resilience, and accelerating climate action”. Keynote speeches from a diverse range of world education leaders provided insight into how AI is being used to improve educational outcomes and gave practical examples of further opportunities to incorporate its use in enhancing teaching and learning.

The Premier’s programme of engagement continues on Thursday and Friday.

Premier O’Connor-Connolly is accompanied by Cabinet Secretary, Samuel Rose and Personal Assistant Rhonda Webster, while Minister Jay Ebanks is accompanied by Chief Officer, Eric Bush. 

During her official leave, Hon. Andre Ebanks is serving as Acting Premier and Hon. Dwayne Seymour as Acting Deputy Premier.