(CMR) Exclusive Cayman Marl Road reports are that Wayne Panton was seen entering the Government Administration Building (GAB) shortly after mid-day today in order to present the Honourable Governor Martyn Roper with an agreement to form the newly elected government with him at the helm as Premier Designate.
The 10 independent MP elected yesterday agreed to Wayne Panton as Premier and Christopher Saunders (BTW) as Deputy Premier.
Sources indicate the parties were up until 4:00 a.m. hashing out the details of the new independent lead coalition government. The news comes in record time – only 12 hours after the polls closed yesterday evening at 6:00 p.m.
The Progressives had hoped that after retaining their seven seats they would be able to form a “broad coalition” with the help of Bodden Town MP Dwayne Seymour and other independents. However, the independents were determined not to re-enact what happened four years ago and acted quickly and have sealed a deal.
Premier Designate, Wayne Panton officially met with the Governor to formally request that the Parliament be called to convene on Wednesday, 21st April at 10:00 a.m. to swear in members and formally elect the Premier under Section 49(3) of the Cayman Islands Constitution.
Premier Designate, Wayne Panton said:
“The elections are over, the people have spoken, and it is time to get on with the business of making peoples’ lives better. I am delighted, impressed, and inspired by the level of maturity shown by the elected Independent members to put aside political differences that arose on the campaign to work in the best interest of our Islands.
All of us who decided to step into the public arena did so to make a positive difference to the communities we serve. Many good people were unsuccessful at the polls but still have a lot to offer. Alric Lindsey is one such individual. As Speaker of the House, he will bring the much-needed articulation and maturity to the role.
The Government that I am humbled to lead will be People driven, Accountable, Competent and Transparent (PACT). We are all humbled by the electorate's trust and recognize that we have much work to do and are ready and willing to work on your behalf.”
Premier Designate, Wayne Panton, concluded:
“I am tremendously proud that the 10 Independent candidates have joined together, in a decisive and cohesive fashion, to commence the process of forming a new government. Although PACT has the majority and are committed to that as a government, we will demonstrate to the country a refreshing and new approach by being open to other elected members joining in order to carry out the wishes of the electorate to form an inclusive coalition to work in the best overall interests of the country.’’
To confirm, the 10 Independent candidates referred to above are as follows:
- Wayne Panton – MP Elect, Newlands
- Christopher Selvin Saunders – MP Elect, Bodden Town West
- Johany S. “Jay” Ebanks – MP Elect, North Side
- Kenneth Vernon Bryan – MP Elect, George Town Central
- Isaac Douglas Rankine – MP Elect, East End
- Bernie Alfredo Bush – MP Elect, West Bay North
- Katherine Ebanks-Wilks – MP Elect, West Bay Central
- Andre Martin Ebanks – MP Elect, West Bay South
- Sabrina Turner – MP Elect, Prospect
- Heather Dianne Bodden – MP Elect, Savannah
Other areas of immediate priority for the new administration will be the implementation of measures to reduce the cost of living, enacting a consumer protection law to ensure savings are passed on to the customers and enhancing the reputation of the Cayman Islands as one of the best places on transacting financial services.
The independents will meet today to continue working on the details of who will be assigned particular government ministries.
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