The leader of the People’s Progressive Movement Kurt Tibbetts issued a statement Friday, announcing, among other things, the make up of the next Cabinet.
As expected, Mr. Tibbetts said he would assume a Cabinet post and become Leader of Government Business.
Other Cabinet members will be Anthony Eden, Arden McLean, Charles Clifford and Alden McLaughlin.
Mr. Tibbetts also announced that Edna Moyle would become the interim Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Moses Kirkconnell, the new Second Elected Member from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, had agreed to join the PPM administration.
‘As Leader of Government Business, I will have ministerial responsibility for District Administration and we have agreed that we will work very closely with Mr. Kirkconnell to ensure that the interests of the Sister Islands are at the forefront of the agenda of this administration,’ Mr. Tibbetts stated.
On the subject of Constitutional Modernisation, Mr. Tibbetts said the Governor had already raised the issue with him.
‘His Excellency has indicated that the UK Government would like to see this process completed within the next 12 to 18 months,’ he stated. ‘The PPM administration remains committed to public participation and consultation in achieving the best constitution possible for these Islands.
‘We are equally committed to obtaining a constitution, which the majority of the people of these Islands desire and we will ensure that the will of the people is expressed by way of referendum.’
Mr. Tibbetts noted that the draft constitution sent to the Cayman Islands by the UK Government following discussions with both the PPM and the United Democratic Party government in December 2003 proposed to increase the number of members of the Legislative Assembly to 17.
It also proposed replacing the Financial Secretary and the Chief Secretary in Cabinet with Elected Ministers.
‘If this proposal is accepted by the people of this country, this will increase the number of Elected Cabinet seats from five to seven,’ Mr. Tibbetts stated.
As part of the preparation for a new constitution, Mr. Tibbetts said a number of changes to the operations of the Legislature needed to be made, including improving the separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches.
‘In a maturing democracy such as ours, we believe that it is important that the office of Speaker is separated from the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs and becomes autonomous, as it is in most democracies.’
That said, Mr. Tibbetts offered justification for electing Ms Moyle to the post on an interim basis.
‘Because of the importance of this modernisation process and the relatively short time that is available to have this process completed, it is imperative that the person elected as Speaker at this time is experienced and knowledgeable,’ he said. ‘In addition, the House will have to commence almost immediately with the debate on, and passage of, the budget for the 2005/2006 financial year, and again, an experienced Speaker is critical during this period.’
Mr. Tibbetts also said there was an urgent need for the revision and modernisation of the Standing Orders and other rules of procedure in the Legislative Assembly.
Ms Moyle would only serve as Speaker until the completion of the constitutional modernisation process,’ Mr. Tibbetts said.
‘Following the adoption of a modernised constitution, which will require that the Speaker be elected from outside the membership of the House, it is intended the Ms Moyle would demit the office of Speaker and assume one of the proposed additional ministerial positions.
‘The people of North Side can rest assured that the Government will ensure that their interests are looked after and that Ms Moyle’s agenda for the district will have our full support.’
Mr. Tibbetts said the new government intended to ‘rebuild trust and confidence in your leaders… and restore integrity and decency to Government.
‘There will be no victimisation or witch hunts,’ Mr. Tibbetts promised. ‘We do not intend to tear down what has been achieved thus far, but instead to build on the work of previous governments.
‘Together as one people, one nation, with God by our side, we will rebuild this nation and the institutions of democracy, which we cherish, better and stronger than before,’ he stated.
Mr. Tibbetts said the result of the elections showed that bad governance has been rejected.
‘As we have said repeatedly during the campaign, your new PPM administration will practice openness, transparency, accountability, tolerance and adherence to rule of law.’
Besides the ministerial responsibility for District Administration, Mr. Tibbetts did not address the allotment of other ministerial responsibilities.
Alden McLaughlin explained in a telephone interview that the ministerial responsibilities were allocated by the Governor, based on the recommendations of the government.
‘That could happen as soon as Wednesday afternoon,’ he said.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new government will take place Wednesday, 18 May, at 10am in the Legislative Assembly Building.
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