Progressives leader Roy McTaggart has announced that he has secured an agreement of 10 elected members enabling his party to form a coalition government in the Cayman Islands with him as premier. Photo: Cayman Compass

Scan of document containing 10 signatures of the MPs agreeing to form a Progressives-led government. Photo: Cayman Compass

The Office of the Governor in the Cayman Islands confirmed in a statement that G. Wayne Panton, left, met with Governor Martyn K. Roper, right, at his office this morning, April 15, 2021, and presented a letter confirming he has the support of the majority of elected members and intends to form a government. Photo: Cayman Compass

Passing the torch: Outgoing premier Alden M. McLaughlin, left, congratulates his likely successor Roy McTaggart. – Photo: Taneos Ramsay

Progressives supporters celebrate victory at the polls in Cayman Islands. Photo: Taneos Ramsay

This is the latest twist in the unfolding battle to form a government, following general election on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

The deal, according to Cayman Compass, involves two MPs, Prospect’s Sabrina Turner and East End’s Isaac D. Rankine, who had previously been announced as part of G. Wayne Panton’s proposed coalition of independents. That alliance now appears to have crumbled, though there remains potential for further political moves.

Deal will allow ‘stable gov’t’- McTaggert

McTaggart said in a statement issued in the early hours of April 16, 2021: “I am pleased to confirm that we have an agreement with 10 elected members (including himself) to form the Government and to elect me as Premier.

“This will allow the country to have a stable Government and continuity as we address the rebuilding from Covid,” he wrote in the brief announcement, which came just after midnight.

The deals with Turner and Rankine, if they hold, would give the Progressives and their partners the 10 seats needed to take power.

North Side MP Johany S. Ebanks’ signature block appears on the agreement document but is unsigned.

The latest announcement comes after intense and lengthy negotiations through Thursday night.

Rankine and Ebanks faced repeated social media attacks and active campaigns from commenters to dissuade them from joining with the Roy McTaggart-led Progressives.

This latest deal follows a statement earlier in the day in which Wayne Panton, newly elected Newlands MP, announced he had joined forces with nine other independent members and intended to form Cayman’s new government, dubbed PACT.

See previous article published April 15, 2021

UPDATE: Independents want G. Wayne Panton as Premier of Cayman Islands

- 10 Independent candidates have joined forces to begin forming new Gov’t

In a twist to the earlier script, the successful independent candidates in the Cayman Islands general election on April 14, 2021, have announced they have joined forces and intend to form Cayman’s new government in the 19-member House of Assembly, with G. Wayne Panton as premier.

Cayman Compass had reported today, April 15, 2021, that Mr Roy McTaggart looked set to be the next Premier with the Progressives in pole position to lead a coalition government.

The Office of the Governor in the Cayman Islands; however, confirmed in a statement that Panton met with Governor Martyn K. Roper at his office this morning and presented a letter confirming he has the support of the majority of elected members and intends to form a government.

The 10 Independent candidates have also agreed that Alric Lindsay be named Speaker of the House and Christopher S. Saunders as Deputy Premier.

Premier Designate Mr Panton has also formally requested from Governor Roper that the Parliament be called to convene on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, to swear in members and formally elect the Premier under Section 49(3) of the Cayman Islands Constitution.

‘The people have spoken’

Premier Designate Panton said: “The elections are over, the people have spoken, and it is time to get on with the business of making people’s lives better. I am delighted, impressed, and inspired by the level of maturity shown by the elected Independent members to put aside political differences that arose on the campaign to work in the best interest of our Islands.

“All of us who decided to step into the public arena did so to make a positive difference to the communities we serve.  Many good people were unsuccessful at the polls but still have a lot to offer.  Alric Lindsay is one such individual.  As Speaker of the House, he will bring the much-needed articulation and maturity to the role.

‘Humbled to lead’

“The Government that I am humbled to lead will be People driven, Accountable, Competent and Transparent (PACT).  We are all humbled by the electorate's trust and recognise that we have much work to do and are ready and willing to work on your behalf.”

Premier Designate Panton concluded: “I am tremendously proud that the 10 Independent candidates have joined together, in a decisive and cohesive fashion, to commence the process of forming a new government. Although PACT has the majority and are committed to that as a government, we will demonstrate to the country a refreshing and new approach by being open to other elected members joining in order to carry out the wishes of the electorate to form an inclusive coalition to work in the best overall interests of the country.”

The government will also include Johany S. Ebanks, Kenneth Vernon Bryan, Isaac Douglas Rankine, Bernie Alfredo Bush, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Andre Martin Ebanks, Sabrina Turner, and Heather Dianne Bodden.

See previous article published April 15, 2021

Roy McTaggart set to be next Premier of Cayman Islands

Mr Roy McTaggart looks set to be the next Premier of the Cayman Islands with the Progressives in pole position to lead a coalition government, the Cayman Compass reported today, April 15, 2021.

The territory’s general elections were held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, and there were jubilant scenes at the party headquarters as the final results came in around 11:00 pm on Wednesday.

With all seven sitting party members as well as alliance partner Dwayne S. Seymour holding their seats, McTaggart will have the best shot of forming a government, Cayman Compass posited.

‘Overjoyed’

He said he was “overjoyed” with the result and confident of forming a broad coalition.

“All of the incumbent Progressives candidates were elected quite resoundingly,” Mr Taggart said.

“The country were clearly happy with the Progressives and the government we have led.”

He acknowledged there had been some tension throughout the night with some ‘seismic shocks’ elsewhere in Grand Cayman.

Veteran legislators Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean were toppled in North Side and East End, with Johany Ebanks and Isaac Rankine, respectively, taking their seats in the new parliament.

Rankine has already indicated he would be willing to join the next government and several other independents appeared open to the prospect.

W. McKeeva Bush narrowly retains seat

W. McKeeva Bush’s conviction for assaulting a woman appears to have dented his popularity in West Bay. He narrowly retained his seat admitting it was a “cliffhanger” after his 27-vote win over Mario Ebanks.

His long-time running mate, Captain Eugene Ebanks, was soundly beaten, however, with Katherine Ebanks-Wilks taking the West Bay Central seat by 539 to 392 votes.

Coalition Gov’t

McTaggart said he would be reaching out to some of the independents as he seeks to form a government.

“We are starting with a position of strength,” he said, targeting a coalition of 12-14 seats.

André Ebanks, Rankine, Heather Bodden and Johany Ebanks – all of whom were successful at the polls – have been previously named as possible partners for the Progressives.

According to Cayman Compass, there remains an outside possibility of a rival independent group seeking to form a coalition without the Progressives.