Progressives Statement:   

At the Progressives National Council Meeting on Saturday, August 10, 2024, Hon Roy McTaggart announced his decision to step down as Leader of the Progressives at the next Party Conference in January. He will continue as Party Leader till then. 

He also revealed that he would step down as Leader of the Opposition at the next Parliament meeting. McTaggart confirmed that he would nominate his Deputy, Joey Hew, as his successor for both roles.

The party confirmed that all elected members of the Progressives Opposition fully support this transition, which provides Mr Hew with the opportunity to better prepare to lead the Progressives into the upcoming election.

This transition is a testament to the party’s commitment and long tradition of succession planning and ensuring strong leadership for the future.

In his address to Party members, Hon. Roy McTaggart expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the Leader of the Progressives and the Leader of the Opposition, highlighting his confidence in the party’s future and Joey Hew’s leadership.

“Serving as the Leader of the Progressives and Leader of the Opposition has been a tremendous honour, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We have a great Party with a storied history, and I believe it is time for new leadership to continue our mission of driving positive change for the Cayman Islands,” McTaggart said.

Mr Hew said: “I am deeply grateful to Roy McTaggart for the opportunity to serve as Opposition Leader and for supporting me as the next Progressives’ Political Leader.  I am grateful, too, for the support of my fellow Progressives and am committed to leading with integrity and dedication. I look forward to the election process at the party conference in January and am focused on returning to Government after the elections.”

Roy McTaggart has ably guided the Progressives party through significant challenges while in opposition, holding the chaotic, disunified, and spendthrift PACT/UPM government accountable. He has actively pressured the government to address the impact of the rising cost of living crisis, particularly for vulnerable groups like pensioners. 

Additionally, McTaggart has consistently pushed for effective measures to combat increasing crime, completing the mental health facility, and prudent fiscal management of public funds. His leadership has been crucial in keeping the party focused on critical issues affecting citizens – demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the well-being and security of the Caymanian people.

Since the 2021 election, Joey Hew has served alongside Roy McTaggart as Deputy Leader of the Progressives Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Hew has vigorously advocated for affordable housing, modern transportation, small business support, and job creation. Additionally, he has championed environmental protection and sustainability by promoting renewable energy, advanced waste management solutions, and conservation initiatives. His dedication and proactive approach promise a bright future for the Cayman Islands and the Progressives Party, ensuring continued progress and a stronger, more sustainable community.

The Progressives Party is unique among political parties and has a strong tradition of orderly leadership transitions. It started with  D. Kurt Tibbetts, followed by Sir Alden McLaughlin and continued when Sir Alden made way for Roy McTaggart. If elected Party Leader of the Progressives at the Party Conference, Mr Hew will be the Party’s fourth leader over its 22-year history.

Political Survey Highlights:  

At the meeting, the Progressives also provided highlights from a recent political Survey conducted by the respected and experienced research company Bluedot Data Insights.  

The findings reveal that Caymanians are extremely concerned about the cost of living, education, housing, crime, and transportation, among several other issues. They give the current government a fairly negative performance review in managing these concerns.

Nearly half of the respondents (49%) feel the country is heading in the wrong direction, primarily due to dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the critical concerns mentioned and the disunity of its members. Only 17% thought the country was on the right track!

The results also indicate a strong preference for a political party over independents in the upcoming election. Party candidates are seen as committed to a clear and unified manifesto, unlike independents, who may make individual promises that are harder to fulfil once elected and may not be unified.

There was also a strong preference to support candidates from the Progressives party, with 61% of decided voters supporting them. In addition, voters expressed a strong sentiment for the next Premier to be from the Progressives. The poll also shows that the Progressives have steadfastly maintained their core support, even while in Opposition.

In summary – This suggests a favourable outlook for the Progressives, who are seen by the public as well-positioned to address the nation’s pressing concerns effectively and as a proven unified and solid political entity.

– The Progressives