(CMR) This morning CMR can confirm that both MPs Issac Rankine and Juliana O'Connor-Connolly have now signed on to work with the Independents as of late last night.
This now gives the PACT a comfortable number of MPs to form the government ahead of today's swearing-in ceremony at 3:00 p.m. Sources indicate that others may be willing to abandon the Progressives in the coming days.
Rankine has initially agreed to form the government with the other independents but moved over to the Progressives within hours of signing that document resulting in a large outcry across the community for his decision. That decision lead to the PACT members having to work with McKeeva Bush as Speaker of Parliament.
Rankine is not expected to receive a ministerial position but may be offered a parliamentary secretary one.
This information has been confirmed by exclusive sources and O'Connor-Conolly has also now issued a statement confirming her decision.
It comes as no surprise that she made the decision as CMR predicated days ago that she would be the most likely existing member of the Progressives to move over. Otherwise, the sister islands would have had no MP in a ministerial position since 1980; except for when she lost her first election in 1988.
She shared:
GM Colleagues,
I want to thank my PPM family for being such an organized and dynamic team and it has been a distinct honour working with each of you under the very capable leadership of Premier AL and DP Moses.
We gave it our very best and won our seats. Further,we spent endless hours endeavouring to form a PPP/ ALLIANCE Government and then a Coalition of PPM/ INDEPENDENTS. For various reasons this did not materialize and in the end the INDEPENDENTS achieved the numbers to form the Government.
Additionally, my constituents have expressed in no uncertain terms that Cayman Brac and Little Cayman need a Minister in the Government.
As a result, I had to respect their wishes and accept the offer of a Minister.
I have requested Mr. Panton offer more seats to you my Colleagues and he is open to DP Mose and our Party Leader Roy M being Ministers.
I am prayerfully hoping that this would materialize but if not, please know that my decision is based purely the requests my people on the Sister Islands. This is a most difficult decision for me but please rest assured that this decision will not diminish my love, respect and admiration of each you and I pray that somehow, someway we can all work together in the interest and love for our blessed country.
I truly covet your support and prayers in this sacrificial leap of FAITH.
I wish for each one of you the very best, as we try to continue to build these beloved Cayman Islands, into a safer stronger jurisdiction.
Love and prayers
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