A general election has been set for 30 April after Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly announced a Cabinet reshuffle that will allow her diminished administration to function for the next six months.
The changes mean Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan steps into the deputy premier role and O’Connor-Connolly adds health and financial services to her already extensive list of responsibilities.
Governor Jane Owen, in a joint statement with the premier Thursday evening, said the general election date had been decided in consultation with O’Connor-Connolly and was taken “in order to ensure that voters who register by early January are included in the official Register of Electors which will be published on 1 April”.
The announcement comes more than a week on of political upheaval following the shock resignations of United People’s Movement government members, Deputy Premier André Ebanks, Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Health Minister Sabrina Turner and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden.
O’Connor-Connolly did not address the resignations in her statement nor the allegations levelled against her administration by the four former members of her government. Instead, she expressed her gratitude to her new deputy premier and her fellow ministers and parliamentary secretaries “for their cooperation and commitment” to ensuring stability for the Cayman Islands.
“The desire to serve the people of the Cayman Islands drives the decisions made today, which will ensure the continued stability for our economy and government. The assignments take into account each Minister’s experience and expertise, which will allow for a seamless transition of those portfolios,” she said.
The premier added that their actions demonstrate that “even amidst uncertainty, the Cayman Islands Government continues to operate as a modern, functioning democracy for its people.”
Owen welcomed the new Cabinet appointments, saying it will “enable our current government, which is constitutionally quorate, to deliver for all our people over the coming months as we prepare for an election”.
Noticeably absent from the list is Parliamentary Secretary Bernie Bush, who is currently in Australia on official business. Since the announcement of the resignations Bush has not responded to queries on his status with the UPM administration.
Cabinet appointments
- Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Premier and Minister for Finance & Economic Development, Education, District Administration & Lands, Financial Services & Commerce, Health, and Cabinet Office.
- Kenneth Bryan, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism & Ports, and Social Development & Innovation.
- Johany ‘Jay’ Ebanks, MP Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport, & Development
- Dwayne Seymour, Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture, Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, and Wellness
- Isaac Rankine, JP, MP Minister for Youth, Sports, & Heritage, and Home Affairs
- W. McKeeva Bush Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Bryan Social, Development and Innovation, in addition to continuing to serve as Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Seymour and Minister Jay Ebanks.
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