Editorial: Progressives leadership lacks behavioral integrity

“It's the party system – it forces people and politicians to a certain mindset or a certain position that might not necessarily be in the best interest of the country.”

Roy McTaggart, February 2013 – C4C member

(CMR) Progressives leader Roy McTaggart continues to toe the official party line sharing this morning that he would not be joining forces with disgraced West Bay MP McKeeva Bush after they dissolved Parliament and called an early election to avoid a vote of no confidence against the former Speaker of Parliament.

Many are in disbelief and simply do not trust the Progressives to do what they say they will especially since it appears they will do anything to maintain power, but the real question is – can we trust McTaggart any more than we trusted Premier Alden McLaughlin particularly when it comes to forming a government?

The short answer is let's look at his past to guide us as to his future behavior. It is often said that Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior! It falls under the general area of behavior integrity. Behavioral integrity is the alignment of one's words and deeds. When they do not align that is a clear warning that they should not be trusted.

How does a man who was so against party politics now becomes the leader of the leading party in Cayman and expect us to believe anything he says; even if said with conviction?

“When an authentic leader creates and fosters behavioral integrity, expectations in the organization are cultivated and managed, horizontally and vertically. When an authentic leader’s actions and behaviors are congruent, levels of trust, loyalty and engagement are raised.”

However, in the words of Aunt Lottie, “Promises are a comfort to a fool”. This is especially true when the same person once espoused a similar impassioned statement about being against political parties. The two-term Progressives stalwart started his political career as a member of Coalition for Cayman (C4C) and won his seat in 2013. However, by 2015 many were questioning his position as he had fully immersed himself into the PPM lead administration whilst still claiming to be an independent MLA.

In June 2015 it was observed by CNS that:

“Roy McTaggart said he believed that the speculation over his position was long closed and was surprised people were still thinking that he would join the PPM, as he also stuck to his position that he remained an independent member of the Legislative Assembly.”

We clearly see how well that position maintained itself. So now I wonder, should we believe a man who has proven to change his previous on political parties to become a card-carrying Progressive member and now leader?

The only reasonable and logical answer is NO! It is peculiar that in responding to the questions this morning he made no mention of placing Bush back in as Speaker of Parliament.