Topic: Premier Wayne Panton
Opposition objects to ‘significant failures’ in parliamentary code signed by government MPs
The future of Cayman's Parliamentary Code of Conduct remains in limbo as the Opposition rejected the document, which was signed by all government MPs, saying it has "significant failures" and is "invalid procedurally."
Local leaders urge unity, co-operation in New Year’s messages
Premier Wayne Panton and Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, in their official New Year's messages, called for a "shared vision" for Cayman, bolstered by collaboration across the community.
Year in Review: Bush under fire: Political, legal woes follow veteran leader
2022 started off relatively quiet politically for West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush, but that was by no means an indication of what to come for the veteran lawmaker.
Premier Wayne Panton’s Christmas message
Premier Wayne Panton has encouraged the people of Cayman to embrace the spirit of giving during this festive season in his annual Christmas message.
Government refunds $1 million in stamp duty to Dart
Government has refunded $1,008,970 to the Dart consortium for the ReGen project, which Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn called an "inherited obligation".
Civil servants get new rules to govern pre-election duties
New rules have been issued to all public servants to guide their actions and decision-making processes in the run-up to elections, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Franz Manderson has announced.
Parliament to consider ganja, national lottery referendums
Legislators are expected to debate this week whether referendums should be held on introducing a national lottery and decriminalising possession of small amounts of ganja in the Cayman Islands.
Premier: ReGen financial close now expected early in 2023
Premier Wayne Panton has said the financial close for the ReGen project is now expected for early 2023, after negotiators were unable to seal the deal before the 30 Nov. deadline.
Premier: Massive traffic jams ‘unacceptable’
Premier Wayne Panton has apologised to commuters who throughout today have spent hours stuck in long traffic jams, caused by the closure of the main thoroughfare in George Town for Pirates Fest activities.
Silent Witness marchers take to street
Activists, survivors and government officials all once again silently marched through George Town, letting their signs do the talking to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence.
Parliamentary codes of conduct presented, but MPs yet to sign off
Two versions of Cayman's first parliamentary code of conduct were tabled in the House on Friday, 7 Oct.; however, local lawmakers have yet to sign on to either of the documents.
Bush resigns as Speaker effective immediately
West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush has resigned as House Speaker with immediate effect.
ReGen deadline extended, premier pins delays on Progressives
Premier Wayne Panton has announced that the projected timeline for signing the ReGen project's financial close has been extended by a month until the end of November.
No-confidence motion demoted: Opposition accuses government of acting ‘heavy-handed’
Though the stage maybe set for a showdown at Friday's Parliament sitting the Opposition is already crying foul ahead of the debate after their no confidence motion was bumped in the Order Paper to facilitate a government endorsement motion.
Cayman icon Janilee Clifford passes
Local icon Maisley Janilee Clifford, affectionately known as 'Ms Janilee', has passed away.
McKeeva Bush resigns as House Speaker
West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush has tendered his resignation as House Speaker.
As hurricane threat recedes, Panton addresses political storm
Premier Wayne Panton renewed his call for Speaker McKeeva Bush to step down as political hostilities ratcheted up in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Gov’t, Opposition unite for storm prep as Cayman readies for Ian
After a tumultuous week politically, legislators worked in tandem Saturday to help constituents prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Ian.
Parliament confirms Bush yet to resign
House Speaker McKeeva Bush has yet to tender his resignation letter, more than 10 days after accusations of inappropriate behaviour at a government function emerged.
The issue explained: Removing Speaker McKeeva Bush
What happens if the Speaker refuses to resign, how will he be removed from the role and what will the political fall-out look like for PACT? We answer some of the key questions around McKeeva Bush's future.
Governor and Opposition join calls for Speaker’s resignation
Governor Martyn Roper, in a statement Tuesday, has added his voice to those urging Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush to demit office amid allegations of assault.
Premier tells Speaker: ‘Tender your resignation’
The future of McKeeva Bush's position as Speaker hangs in the balance, as the veteran politician faces mounting pressure to step down from the role, including from Premier Wayne Panton.
Floral tributes for late Queen as funeral approaches
Local leaders and government workers, on Tuesday, placed floral tributes on the steps of the Government Administration Building, while, in the UK, the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Cayman legislators pay homage to Queen Elizabeth II
Lawmakers in the Cayman Islands have delivered tributes to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and paid their respects to the royal family in a special session of Parliament on Monday afternoon.
Timeline unclear to adopt code of conduct for MPs
Almost 17 months after Cayman’s first parliamentary code of conduct was initially discussed, there is no indication when it will be formally adopted by lawmakers.
Cayman and world leaders react to Queen’s passing
The Cayman Islands has joined millions around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday, at age 96.
Government considering referendum on lottery, ganja
Premier Wayne Panton has said government is considering launching a referendum next year to gauge public opinion on introducing a national lottery system in the Cayman Islands and decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana.
Cayman leaders congratulate new UK PM Liz Truss
Local leaders have sent their best wishes to new United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss as she begins her time at the helm of the Conservative government after a battle for leadership which saw the departure of Boris Johnson from 10 Downing Street.
Public Service pensioners get one-off cost of living payment
Public Service pensioners have received a one-off summer bonus payment of $450 in their accounts.
Trial sargassum clean-up under way
A trial clean-up of the massive influx of sargassum in West Bay is set to begin today, using giant pumps to remove seaweed that has floated into the area.
Landowners pepper premier on East-West Arterial acquisition plans
Premier Wayne Panton found himself in the hot seat at a Savannah-Newlands community constituency meeting on Wednesday night, as landowners in the area took issue with how land acquisitions were being handled to make way for the new East-West Arterial extension.
Low ImPACT? Government criticised over lack of legislation
The PACT government is facing criticism for holding few parliamentary sessions and passing little substantive legislation since taking office last April.
Premier Wayne Panton tests positive for COVID-19
Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton has tested positive for the coronavirus, government officials said Tuesday.
Panton: Cost of living relief in works for homeowners, civil servants
Premier Wayne Panton has announced plans to assist homeowners with electricity costs over summer months and give pay bumps to civil servants as consumers continue to feel the pinch of rising fuel costs.
Official Beacon Lighting at Pedro St. James for Platinum Jubilee
Although weather prevented the Platinum Jubilee concert and event planned for Pedro St. James to go ahead on Thursday, 2 June, the Official Beacon...
Leaders urge community to work with the police to curb crime
Cayman's leaders have joined the call for the community to step up and assist the police in its bid to get the recent spike in gun violence under control.
Cayman government to be majority owner of renewable-energy plants
The Cayman Islands government will have a ‘majority ownership stake’ in all future large-scale renewable-energy projects, Premier Wayne Panton announced Wednesday.
Gov’t sets October deadline to seal financial deal on ReGen
Government has said it is moving the ReGen project forward and is committed to complete the financial close on the long awaited solid waste management project no later than 31 October.
Rankine takes over as acting Sports Minister
East End MP Isaac Rankine has been sworn in as acting Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage for a period of three weeks.
Big interview: Premier seeks to tackle ‘existential threat’ of climate change
In an in-depth interview, Premier Wayne Panton talks to the Compass about the existential threat the islands face from climate change and his ambitions to set Cayman on a more sustainable path.
Premier reaffirms intent to proceed with East-West Arterial
Premier Wayne Panton has reaffirmed Government's intention to proceed with construction of the East West Arterial Road to help reduce traffic to and from the Eastern Districts.
Bernie Bush removed as Home Affairs Minister
West Bay North MP Bernie Bush has been stripped of the Home Affairs ministry and will be sent on two weeks no pay leave starting 18 April after comments about the fire services, which violated constitution and code of conduct, Premier Wayne Panton announced late Sunday night.
Premier aims for Sexual Harassment Act by third quarter
The PACT government will mark its first year in office later this month, but at least one box on their to-do list will remain unticked, that of the long-awaited Sexual Harassment Act which is not heading to Parliament until later this year.
Former Dart VP named Premier’s Chief of Strategy
Pilar Bush, former Dart Executive Vice President of Marketing, People and Culture, has been appointed as Chief of Strategy in the Office of the Premier.
New UK OT minister to visit Cayman
United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling is set to begin a three-day visit to Cayman starting Wednesday evening, the Governor's Office has announced.
COVID-19 vaccine available to vulnerable kids 5 to 11
Vulnerable children ages 5 to 11 can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, however approval for vaccination for all kids within that age group remains pending, government officials have said.
CITA ‘frustrated’ by gov’t’s lack of consultation on large gathering decision
Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Marc Langevin has expressed frustration over government's decision to recommend cancelling large events without any consultation with industry stakeholders.
Premier: Income inequality threatens Caymanian middle class
In his budget address on Friday, Premier Wayne Panton painted a picture of economic marginalisation of a Caymanian middle class which “is under assault”.
Gym mandates remain, despite Panton promise of fairness
Premier Wayne Panton’s promise to find a “better balance” for sporting facilities ahead of the publication of new COVID regulations on 19 Nov., failed to materialise, leaving gym officials disappointed, as they had hoped for change.
Condolences offered for COVID-19 patient who died in hospital
Governor Martyn Roper, Premier Wayne Panton and Opposition Leader, Roy McTaggart, have all offered condolences to the family of 73 year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 but died due to an undisclosed, underlying illness.
Premier: ‘Not bothered’ by CDC advisory, hospitalisations low despite COVID spike
Premier Wayne Panton has said while the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's advisory against Cayman is "regrettable" he is not worried that it will have a negative impact on visitors coming here when borders unlock next week.
Overseas Territories leaders meet at climate conference
Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton has joined delegates from five fellow UK Overseas Territories at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Explainer: New lateral flow test policy aims to cut down on isolations
Government has released formal guidelines on the use of lateral flow tests (LTF) with the aim of reducing isolation times for close contacts of positive cases and managing the strain placed on local labs doing COVID-19 testing.
Premier flies to Scotland for COP26 climate conference
Premier Wayne Panton will be flying to Glasgow, Scotland this weekend to participate in the COP26 UN climate change conference, his office confirmed Friday.
Panton: Gov’t committed to reopening date, dismisses lockdown rumours
Although Cayman is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases this week Premier Wayne Panton has said government will press on with plans to reopen on 20 November.
Governor and premier receive booster jabs
On Friday morning, Governor Martyn Roper and Premier Wayne Panton joined the growing number of people opting for a third, or booster, dose of the vaccine.
Gov’t to review COVID protocols for sports facilities
Less than a month since government mandated a range of requirements for gyms and indoor sporting facilities, Premier Wayne Panton has vowed to make...
Premier’s Office promises update on ReGen, as financing deadline passes
An update on the ReGen waste-to-energy project is expected by the end of the week, the Premier's Office has said, as government responded to Opposition calls for transparency on plans for the George Town landfill.
Opposition calls for withdrawal of ‘discriminatory’ vaccine law changes
Opposition lawmakers Monday morning called for government to withdraw proposed vaccination law changes just hours before Cayman's parliamentarians were set to debate a pair of bills that would require vaccinations for many of Cayman's residents and visitors.
PACT government refutes rumours of discord within the ranks
Both Premier Wayne Panton and Deputy Premier Chris Saunders have dismissed rumours of dissension within government's ranks, saying the PACT administration will not be distracted by "nonsense".
Restrictions on the way for Sister Islands
Security measures are being planned for the Sister Islands to protect the vulnerable residents there, Premier Wayne Panton said on Tuesday, as cases of COVID-19 community transmission on Grand Cayman neared double digits.
Panton: No lockdown planned
Premier Wayne Panton, following confirmation of a George Town Primary School student testing positive for COVID-19, said in a live address to Cayman on Tuesday morning that his government has no plans at this time to implement a new lockdown,
Premier addresses Speaker’s border-reopening disapproval
Premier Wayne Panton said Speaker of the Parliament McKeeva Bush’s public disapproval of the PACT government’s plan to reopen Cayman’s borders is a personal view.
Premier: Climate report ‘sobering and frightening’
Premier Wayne Panton said Cayman stands ready “to help avoid or mitigate climate change crises” as he expressed concern over the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.
Music icon Wellesley Howell to be memorialised on national stamp
The late saxophonist and shoemaker Wellesley Howell will be featured on a national stamp in honour of his contributions to the Cayman Islands, Premier...
PACT releases its 100-day report
The PACT government has released its report on its first 100 days in office, highlighting among its achievements the phased border-reopening plan and the adoption of a code of conduct for ministers.
Gov’t enacts new Ministerial Code of Conduct
Premier Wayne Panton, on the eve of the first 100 days of the PACT administration, has announced the enactment of the updated Cayman Islands' Ministerial Code of Conduct.
Government begins releasing Cabinet decisions
The PACT government has given an undertaking to release a summary of the decisions it makes in Cabinet on an ongoing basis.
Panton: COVID now a ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’
COVID-19 is fast becoming a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”, Premier Wayne Panton said Wednesday, as he urged everyone that had yet to be immunised to get the jab.
Panton: ‘PACT is intact’
Premier Wayne Panton fired back in response to claims of division within his administration levelled by Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart during Thursday's debate in Parliament on government's Strategic Policy Statement.
Free healthcare for kids and elderly among government goals
Following the release of the Strategic Policy Statement this week, here is a look at what the PACT government hopes to achieve in 10 key areas.
Premier alludes to decriminalisation of marijuana
Premier Wayne Panton has pointed to decriminalization of marijuana as a means to get more young Caymanians into jobs as he outlined plans for increasing employment and improve educational opportunities.
