Governor urges caution as gov’t rocked by resignations

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CMC):

Governor Jane Owen is urging the public to “remain tuned in to official channels,” as the British Overseas Territory deals with the second collapse of a coalition government here within a four-year period.

In a brief statement, Owen said while she has been advised that four members of parliament, including the Deputy Premier André Ebanks, have resigned from the Government on Thursday, she is in discussions with the Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly “and will provide a further update as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, our public service continues to discharge their duties to ensure continuity of service to the public. I urge the public to remain tuned in to official channels”.

Ebanks, Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Minister, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Health Minister Sabrina Turner and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden announced that they were all resigning from the United People’s Movement (UPM) with immediate effect.

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“In recent months in particular, the level of dysfunction and disorganisation, and a lack of professionalism, places the country at risk of erroneous decision making and reputational damage which could have long term adverse consequences,” the four said in a joint statement.

Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has so far made no public comment on the situation, but the opposition Progressives party said that while it is “carefully considering its options” it “stands ready to provide the leadership the Cayman Islands needs”.

The Progressives held an emergency meeting late Thursday and afterwards in a brief statement noted the resignations highlight “an urgent crisis” in the government, one that threatens Cayman’s “stability and unity”.

The opposition said that it had been warning “for years” of the “critical need for a stable, transparent, and unified government dedicated to serving all Caymanians”

Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, is calling for “ clear and steadfast leadership” in light of the situation.

“As our country faces critical decisions on matters such as funding major projects, the upcoming referendum, and sustaining our international reputation, stability is paramount,” said the Chamber’s president, Joanne Lawson.

Former premier McKeeva Bush warned that “pushing the country into an early election does not speak well for a stable country”.