The Cayman Islands’ United Democratic Party (UDP) government failed to reach a consensus on Monday (17) to oust embattled Premier McKeeva Bush from his position as Premier of the Cayman Islands and leader of the UDP.

Bush, who was arrested last week on suspicion of corruption last week has said he will not resign over the corruption allegations, but his support among his own party appears to be weakening and he could be ousted by a no confidence vote in Legislative Assembly.

Ellio Solomon, the UDP Secretary, said on CITN/Cayman27  that a caucus of key party members had met on Monday to determine if they would withdraw their support for the premier, and at that time he was the only MLA to vote no and still support his leader.

However, some of these members have changed their minds but it appears others have reached out to opposition leaders. It is understood 11 MLA’s, including five UDP members – Juliana O’Connor Connolly, Rolston Anglin, Mark Scotland, Cline Glidden and Dwayne Seymour – signed a letter in the early hours Tuesday (18) morning to request Speaker of the House Mary Lawrence to hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

This meeting will debate a motion of no confidence in McKeeva Bush to continue as Premier. After the debate a motion of no confidence in McKeeva Bush should retain his position as leader of the Cayman Islands government.

The vote will need 10 MLA’s for the no confidence motion in Mr. Bush to be passed.

What will happen afterwards if Mr. Bush is ousted is open to many scenarios.

If the three UDP members, Mike Adam, Capt Eugene Ebanks and Ellio Solomon, can be persuaded to stay with the UDP, it could still form a government probably under the leadership of Juliana O’Connor Connolly. Rolston Anglin would be expected to become Deputy Premier and Cline Glidden would take 0ver Mr. Bush’s portfolio.

If this doesn’t happen, and the opposition does not prop up the divided UDP, then a General Election would have to be held in March.

PRESS RELEASE

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

December 18, 2012

 Today Hon. Alden Mclaughlin, MBE, JP, MLA, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, OBE, JP, MLA, Mr. Moses Kirkconnell, JP, MLA, Mr. Anthony Eden, OBE, JP, MLA, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, JP, MLA, Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP, MLA, Hon. Mark Scotland, JP, MLA, Mr. Dwayne Seymour, MLA, Mr. Cline Glidden Jr., JP, MLA, Mr. Arden McLean, JP, MLA and Mr. Ezzard Miller, JP, MLA have delivered a written requisition to the Speaker to summon a meeting of the Legislative Assembly in accordance with Standing Order 8(2) at 1pm today for the expressed purpose of debating a Lack of Confidence in the Government Motion brought by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition and seconded by the Elected Member from North Side.