Deputy Premier Kenneth Bryan has joined Joey Hew’s People’s Progressive Movement party and will stand for re-election under the PPM banner in the upcoming general election.
Bryan ran as an independent in the last two elections, winning the seat of George Town Central, but will now contest his seat as a member of PPM, a party he left in 2015 following a rift with then Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Announcing his decision on Radio Cayman’s ‘For The Record’, Bryan said his decision was prompted by a growing public desire for political stability in the Cayman Islands.
“There has been a lot of instability over the past four years, which the public do not want to see again,” he said, adding that he was “sorry that the country had to go through that”.
He told ‘For the Record’ host Orrett Connor there were times that he had been “embarrassed” by the political turbulence over the last four years, which saw two premiers, four deputy premiers and three speakers of the House.
“I must admit that the turmoil, the ups and downs and the people going in many different directions over the last four years stopped us from doing a lot of things we could have done,” he said.
“I want to ensure that I can continue to be at the table where the decisions of the future of the country are made, and in order for me to do that means I have to make some choices right now.”
Three political parties
Out of the three political parties which are fielding candidates in April’s election, he said that he gave credit to the Cayman Islands National Party for wanting to represent the people, but said their candidates’ lack of experience made it “impractical”.
Bryan was less complimentary about The Caymanian Community Party, whose members include Wayne Panton and André Ebanks, Bryan’s predecessor as deputy premier, saying, “They’ve demonstrated some things that are concerning for me, which is when things get hard, they’ll walk away. And that’s definitely not what we want.”
Regarding the Progressives, Bryan said he was “excited to join a team that has experience, that has a track record of commitment and follow-through, and I think that I will be able to strengthen the People’s Progressive Movement which has the experience to take the country forward in this very crucial time. …
“This is about being a part of a unified approach with experience and strong leadership.”
Coming full circle
The decision to sign up with the PPM means that Bryan has come full circle, having unsuccessfully stood for election under the Progressives at the 2013 general election. He then worked as political assistant to the then Premier Alden McLaughlin, but Bryan was fired following the prospect of facing criminal charges after a public dispute with a police officer.
Addressing his return, Bryan said there had been many changes since then, saying, “I don’t think I’m the same Kenneth as I was in 2013 when I first ran, and I don’t think the Progressives are the same Progressives that they were when I left in 2015. …
“I had differences of views and a bit of a shake-up with Alden McLaughlin and I’m happy to say that was a very long time ago.”
Bryan said he had spoken to other politicians including McKeeva Bush and Alden McLaughlin about his decision.
“Obviously, I’ve spoken with Alden McLaughlin and he’s happy to have me on board, but recognising that I will be bringing my viewpoints to the table,” Bryan said.
In a statement issued shortly afterwards, Bryan said, “This decision was not made lightly. I evaluated all of the options and after deep reflection and consultation with my Committee and voters in my Constituency, I am convinced that the Progressives are the best party to take this country forward.”
He added, “Being part of the PPM’s unified team with a shared strategic vision will mean continuity for our constituency and will allow me to finish community initiatives that are already in progress, like Central Scranton Park. Being on this team will also allow me to continue advocating for GTC and delivering results in ways that would not be possible if I were part of a fragmented group.”
The PPM welcomed Bryan back to the fold with a message on social media which read, “Welcoming Hon. Kenneth Bryan, MP back to team PPM. Our representative for George Town Central.”
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Wow! Party politics sucks and is destroying these islands!!
Maybe now there will be a government that will put sand on SMB and fix the docks that everyone needs