SEYMOUR QUITS PPM. PPM THANKS HIM FOR HIS SERVICE

SEYMOUR QUITS PPM. PPM THANKS HIM FOR HIS SERVICE

By Staff Writer

Member of Parliament Dwayne Seymour has quit the main opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM).

In an unexpected press release on Thursday afternoon, Mr Seymour, who campaigned as a PPM candidate in April’s election, did not offer any reason for his sudden departure from the party.

He only stated: “This decision was not made lightly. I have sought counsel from my family and my closest advisors from the Bodden Town East Constituency, and I have taken considerable time to reflect on it, weighing both my own principles and the responsibilities I owe to the people of my district and, indeed, the entire Cayman Islands.”

The MP for Bodden Town East also stated in his surprise press statement: “Serving as a Member of Parliament for Bodden Town East is one of the greatest honours of my life. The trust and support I have received from the wonderful and amazing people of Bodden Town East over the years has been deeply humbling and profoundly heart-warming. My years of experience have given me the encouragement and motivation to pursue this decision.”

He said he will continue serving as an independent member representing the constituency.

Mr Seymour, who as an independent had served as health minister in the last PPM government, formally joined the party to contest the April elections along with two other members of the then-United People’s Movement (UPM) coalition.

After the PPM lost power in 2021, he joined the PACT coalition led by ex-premier Wayne Panton also as an independent. When that collapsed, he stayed on in the replacement UPM coalition government of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, remaining with them even when that administration suffered defections to the opposition benches.

In the ensuing partisan realignments leading up to elections this past April, Mr Seymour formally signed up as a member of the PPM along with remaining UPM colleagues ex-Premier O’Connor-Connolly and ex-tourism minister Kenneth Bryan. Mr Bryan is now the Deputy Leader of the PPM.

Mr Seymour has not offered any specific reason or reasons for his decision. He only stated: "I appreciate your understanding, and I look forward to maintaining a cooperative relationship with all members of Parliament as we continue to strive to improve the lives of our constituents and the entire Cayman Islands.”

Meanwhile, the PPM has issued a response to Mr Seymour's abrupt departure.

In a statement titled 'The Progressives Acknowledge the Resignation of Dwayne Seymour, the party stated: "The People’s Progressive Movement (The Progressives) acknowledges the resignation of Dwayne 'John John' Seymour, Member of Parliament for Bodden Town East, from the Party.

We thank Mr Seymour for his service as part of the Progressives team and wish him every success in his continued work for the people of Bodden Town East and the Cayman Islands.

Party Leader, Hon. Joseph Hew, stated: "We appreciate Mr Seymour’s contributions during his time with the Progressives and wish him well in his ongoing public service and future pursuits. The Progressives remain focused on working for the people of the Cayman Islands, committed to strengthening our team and adapting where necessary to meet the needs of our country.”

The party also said it stands united in its "mission to provide steady, transparent, and people-focused leadership for all Caymanians."