Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton Rejects Resignation Call  – Faces No-Confidence Vote on Tuesday

The Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton did not step down from his position as the territory’s leader on Friday, despite the call made by Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart.

Instead, he will face a vote of no confidence at a special Parliamentary meeting scheduled for on Tuesday, November 14.

Heightened tensions gripped the Cayman Islands Parliament as the Progressive Opposition, which includes six Progressives and three independent parliamentarians, in a November 9 letter called on Panton, who took office in 2021 as the leader of PACT, to step down by 3 p.m. on November 10 in the best interests of the nation.

 “It is our duty as representatives of our people to act to restore a stable and effective government to these Islands,” the Progressive Opposition’s statement said, adding that “Premier Panton’s PACT Government of Independents has been unstable from the outset. But now it is constitutionally unviable.”

This demand was triggered by the resignation of government backbencher McKeeva Bush, which has resulted in a legislative deadlock in Parliament – both Government and the Opposition now hold an equal nine seats each.

As Premier Panton continues his negotiations to ascertain potential floor-crossing members over the weekend, the leader of the islands reiterated his firm belief that despite the parliamentary changes his party still stands as the best option to lead the territory forward.

“In light of yesterday’s development, there is obviously a change in the Government’s composition,”he told the territory in a video message, adding”  “However, I still believe that the members of this government represent the best way forward for the people of the Cayman Islands.”

Like the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The Cayman Islands is renowned for its strong financial services sector.  With a population of around 65,000, it boasts a high standard of living, excellent infrastructure and a robust economy.

The territory is also well-known for its stable political environment. It operates under a parliamentary system and has a Governor appointed by the British monarch, along with an elected Legislative Assembly.