Cabinet Minister Dwayne Seymour sensationally tendered his resignation in an explosive speech in Parliament Friday afternoon during which he condemned the “disorganisation” and “lacklustre leadership” of the PACT administration.
Seymour took a public parting shot at Premier Wayne Panton, accusing him of running the government and caucus in an “autocratic way” that left “much to be desired”.
He also blamed the premier for divisions within the Cabinet and failure to get the government’s budget completed in a “timely and consultative manner”.
“It is with extreme regret that, after much prayer and consideration, I hereby tender my resignation as minister and [from] the government effective immediately,” Seymour said in his speech to Parliament.
Seymour’s announcement has potential repercussions for the stability of the government and Progressives leader Roy McTaggart suggested Friday night that Panton could not now survive as premier in the long term.
The parliamentarians were locked in behind-the-scenes discussions Friday evening, with the session temporarily suspended. Plans to go into Finance Committee in the evening to discuss supplementary budget appropriations were later abandoned with neither the Opposition nor Minister Seymour present.
Panton didn’t respond to Seymour’s comments, rising only to adjourn the House till Tuesday.
“In light of what has transpired today, we are in a situation where … we are not able to proceed,” he said.
“The members of the Opposition are not present and we are not able to resolve to go into Finance Committee to deal with the business of the country.”
Seymour, who ran as an independent allied with the Progressives at the 2021 election and then crossed the floor to join Panton’s coalition, later becoming Minister of Labour and Border Control, said he had believed he could bring experience and stability to the government.
In his speech, he said he had been shocked by the turmoil and lack of cohesion within the PACT administration.
Rising to speak just before 4pm Friday during a Parliament session in which Panton has faced considerable dissention amid his own ranks, Seymour said he was tendering his resignation as minister with immediate effect.
“Since being elected in 2009, never have I experienced such disorganisation and lacklustre leadership,” he said.
Singling out Panton, he added, “The autocratic manner in which the premier of this country leads his caucus leaves much to be desired. It is my experience that it is his way or no way.”
Painting a picture of a deeply divided government, he said the premier had failed to listen to or empower the civil service, failed to ensure unity amid the PACT group and failed to consult fairly over the budget or other key issues.
In spite of his resignation, Seymour said he was committed to continuing as MP for Bodden Town East. He apologised for not consulting his constituents before making the surprise move and characterised his decision as “emergency in nature”.
Seymour, health minister in the previous Progressives administration, said he had joined PACT with hope and intent. He had supported a previous motion of confidence in the government because he believed it needed time “to prove they were the hope the people wanted”.
But he said he had lost that confidence and belief.
“The country needs a breath of fresh air,” he said, “the most unlikely, the most unassuming John John.”
Seymour, who is known as John John, said he had friendship and respect for people on the PACT side and there were future premiers among their number.
But he added that he could not sit on the government benches any longer amid what he sees as dysfunction and division.
“This is nothing personal. It is always about country for me,” he said.
“We have so much to do for our people, but it has taken a toll on everything, taken a toll on me, and I have to divorce myself from it.”
He added that he had “prayed hard” over a move that he expected to attract mixed responses throughout Cayman.
“I believe God is in our midst,” he said.
“I have searched my heart and believe this is the right decision to move the country forward.”
Progressives leader Roy McTaggart, in a brief statement to the Compass Friday evening, expressed doubts that Panton could survive as premier.
“Given what has transpired this afternoon, and the uncertainty that exists, I have grave doubts about the stability and continued viability of the PACT government under Premier Panton’s leadership,” he said.
In his speech, Seymour suggested the events of “last night” had been the “final straw”. It wasn’t clear exactly which events he was referring to, but Friday’s developments follow a fractious parliamentary session where the divisions within the government and the increasing isolation of the premier have been laid bare.
Earlier in the week, as a guest on Radio Cayman’s ‘For The Record’, Seymour appeared to give an oblique hint at his plans, saying he did not want his stance on certain issues, such as immigration, which may be contrary to the administration’s stance, to be a “personal view”. He went on to quote the late vestryman AJ Miller as saying “Don’t stay on the sinking boat.”
Panton stood alone on Thursday in opposition to a private member’s motion, calling for legalisation of pepper spray for self-defence and was later absent from the chamber as members of his front bench reversed their initial votes to support an Opposition motion on housing.
The relatively uncontroversial call from Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew, through the motion, for support for more innovative methods of funding affordable housing for middle income families, was initially voted down by the majority of PACT members.
But once a division was called, several members, including Deputy Premier Julianna O’Connor Connolly switched their votes, amid whispered conversations on the front row. Seymour gave his support to the motion.
The motion ended up attracting majority support.
The Compass will have more on the substance of the housing motion and other debates next week.
- Additional reporting by Norma Connolly.
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So what kind of leadership is shown by resigning?