🔄 Wayne Panton reportedly replaced as Cayman Islands Premier

The Cayman Islands may be seeing a change in leadership as Premier Wayne Panton is reportedly being replaced by Juliana O’Connor-Connolly MP, according to a social media message circulated by McKeeva Bush MP. The change comes amidst rumors and speculation about the future of the PACT government following Tuesday's no confidence debate. MPs spent the day negotiating over a new government, which is said to be the old PACT lineup minus Panton, now under the new name of the United People’s Movement. However, as of Wednesday evening, no official information had been released about the new government line-up or Panton’s alleged new post as Speaker of the House. 🏛️

A press release issued by the parliament stated that Speaker Katherine Ebanks‐Wilks had resigned from her position, in an effort to maintain stability and support the government in meeting its constitutional requirements. She did not mention her new role, which according to McKeeva Bush, is as a minister in the new Cabinet overseeing the former premier’s sustainability and climate portfolio. If Bush’s message is accurate, O’Connor Connolly, who is understood to have been given the role of finance minister, will be responsible for closing the budget process. This will likely include funding for a new high school in Cayman Brac and possibly West Bay, a point of contention among PACT members in recent weeks. O’Connor-Connolly returns to the government top job after almost a decade. The current state of affairs could change rapidly due to continued political wrangling and the absence of any official confirmation. 🔄