Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart says now that Cayman’s new government has been installed the focus must turn to getting the much-needed budget out.
Saying that there is no time for arguing or fighting, McTaggart called on the new configuration of PACT – the United People’s Movement – to keep the country at the forefront of its deliberations.
“I’m glad to hear that things would appear to be over, that they have finally been able to come together and to put together a government. And I wish them all well with their efforts to try and restore the confidence and stability that the country seriously is looking for,” he told the Cayman Compass following news of the creation of the new administration.
Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has been named premier, taking over from Wayne Panton who agreed to step down after his leadership took a beating in a vote of no confidence in Parliament Tuesday.
McTaggart, commenting on O’Connor-Connolly’s ascension to premier, said, “she’s a very capable person” to take up the leadership.
“She was once premier. She held that role for about five or six months back in 2012 so she should know the role really well and she does bring a lot of experience to it,” he said, adding, however, it was difficult to say what her priorities are.
McTaggart noted it was difficult to know what the next steps for the administration will be without knowing what their priorities were, “what they will actually do and bring to the table”.
Panton, following his resignation, accepted the post of Speaker of the House.
McTaggart said he will support Panton in his new role.
“I think he made the right choice. It was clear that he did not have the support of his government, and they did not like his leadership… I’m happy that he finally recognised that and removed himself there. He’s an eminent professional, he’s a lawyer. I think he will do well in the chair,” he said.
Reflecting on the horse trading that played out over the last couple of days in the aftermath of government backbencher McKeeva Bush’s resignation from PACT and the no confidence vote, McTaggart said “it truly shows us that our democratic system works”.
“It might not be beautiful, it might not be pretty. It can be downright dirty, but it works, and we get through it. These issues are going to crop up in any government, from time to time, but the checks and balances that we have do work,” he said.
Using the example of the no-confidence vote, he said it sets a very high bar to cross to remove a premier or a speaker “and for good reasons”.
“These checks and balances are there to keep help keep the democratic process secure and vibrant and working,” he added.
As for the Opposition, he said, “We will continue to monitor and to advocate to the government on behalf of the people of the Cayman Islands and we will be a very coherent, cohesive Opposition, just as we have been for the past two-and-a-half years.”
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