Premier Wayne Panton was scrambling to hold his government together, as the pressure on the PACT coalition ratcheted up a notch following McKeeva Bush’s resignation from the group on Thursday.
As rival factions huddled Friday, numerous new formulations of the government were proposed
As it stands, parliament remains locked at 9-9 on the floor of the house with PACT member Katherine Ebanks-Wilks in the speaker’s chair.
Government does not have a working majority, and pressure is mounting on Panton to step down – both from within his own group and from the Opposition, who plan to file a motion of no confidence in his leadership later today.
As negotiations continued Friday afternoon, Panton released a brief video statement, acknowledging change was in the air but expressing hope that PACT would remain in government. He did not comment on the issue of whether he would remain as leader or if he would be willing to support a new leader from the PACT side.
Sources close to the negotiations on both sides indicated multiple different options – including a possible rival Progressives led coalition – remained on the table as of Friday afternoon.
Panton, in his statement, said:
“In light of yesterday’s development, there is obviously a change in the Government’s composition.
“However, I still believe that the members of this government represent the best way forward for the people of the Cayman Islands.
“In these uncertain times, we need steady, principled, disciplined leadership; leadership that is loyal and wholly committed to the best interests of the country.
“I will not waiver on these principles because they represent the best of who we are as Caymanians and what is in the best interests of this and future generations.
“Accordingly, we will be working today to forge a sensible way forward, and I will update the country soonest.”
- More to follow
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