GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – Opposition Chief Roy McTaggart Thursday welcomed the resignation of Premier Wayne Panton, saying one thing needed to change to deliver a few steady and efficient authorities within the Cayman Islands.
Panton’s PACT authorities had on Tuesday survived a movement of no confidence. Nonetheless, the embattled authorities chief confirmed his departure, praying that Caymanians “will all the time look into the mirror of our nationwide future and like what they see.”
In an announcement, McTaggart, the chief of the outstanding opposition Individuals’s Progressive Motion (PPM/Progressives), stated. In distinction, the opposition had understood there was an opportunity that the movement wouldn’t cross in Parliament, “ we had been obligated to deliver the movement given the parliamentary disaster that the federal government had prompted for itself with a hung parliament and the nation’s 2024/2025 price range nonetheless in limbo.
“The fixed infighting inside PACT was additionally inflicting the nation precise hurt,” he stated, including, “It was clear on Tuesday from those that debated that the PACT was not solely unviable in Parliament, with the Authorities and Opposition having 9 seats every, however that PACT couldn’t proceed below the management of Premier Panton.
“One thing needed to change to deliver a few steady and efficient authorities,” he added.
When the vote was taken, eight legislators voted in favor of the movement, whereas seven voted in opposition to it with three abstentions. Two of these abstaining got here from the ruling PACT coalition.
The federal government and opposition have 9 seats within the 19-member chamber, leaving Speaker Catherine Ebank-Wilks with a vital casting vote.
McTaggart stated that there have been two paths to placing such a brand new authorities in place in Parliament.
“One path was for some within the PACT Authorities to work with us in a brand new Progressives-led authorities. Given the huge expertise on our aspect, this was the very best answer. The opposite path was for the PACT to re-form itself below new management with a brand new Premier who may pull the group collectively and resolve some deep-seated divisions throughout the PACT authorities which have been clearly on show.
“A brand new strong chief may permit a extra coherent and cohesive PACT authorities to emerge, to create a wise program for presidency, and shortly pull collectively a brand new price range,” the Opposition Chief stated.
He stated following the appointment of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly as the brand new Premier and Andre Ebanks as her deputy, the brand new group has rebranded itself because the United Individuals’s Motion (UPM).
“I’m glad that the opposition has achieved our important goal, to result in change and power the previous PACT to acknowledge that they wanted new management and route.
“I take this second to congratulate the brand new Premier and Deputy Premier. I look ahead to the brand new Premier’s proper to guide the federal government and get a price range handed.
“Nonetheless, whereas the opposition is prepared to present a brand new authorities below the Premier some leeway, there’s little time to waste in tackling our nation’s challenges and serving to our individuals.
“We are going to maintain the brand new Premier and her colleagues accountable similar to we have now the earlier Premier. We won’t hesitate to be vital if efficiency doesn’t enhance,” McTaggart stated, including, “Holding the federal government to account has all the time been, and stays, the Opposition’s job.”
The Oppositio0n Chief has outlined precedence areas the federal government ought to pursue within the new price range, including that the Progressives are prepared to assist a brand new price range that features these priorities.
“The nation now wants stability, and our individuals deserve an efficient, cohesive authorities. We pray that this reformed UPM authorities will present that stability. Within the Progressives opposition, we can be watching,” he added.
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