The chairman of the Cayman Islands ruling United Democratic Party, Billy Reid, who is 72, said on Tuesday (4) that he would leave that post later this month.

Reid wrote to Premier McKeeva Bush, the leader of the UDP, back in June to notify him of his intentions to step down at the next political party conference.

He has since notified Mr. Bush that he would step down effective 15 September, 2012

“I have been chairman of the United Democratic Party since the inception of the party in November 2001, which is almost 11 years,” Mr. Reid said. “I feel that it is important for me to pass on the torch to a younger person with more vigour than I now have.

“I wish our party every success in the coming election, which I expect will be a very challenging one.”