News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands, Tues. May 28, 2013: The British-dependent territory of The Turks & Caicos Islands has a new premier.
He is Alden McLaughlin, who was appointed by Governor Duncan Taylor today, Tuesday, May 28th.
The move comes after a decision by outgoing Cayman Islands Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly to join the People’s Progressive Movement, which gave the PPM the 10th seat it needed for a majority in the Legislative Assembly.
“I was today informed that the Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, MLA, JP has joined the People’s Progressive Movement,” Taylor said in a statement. “This, in effect, gives the PPM a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.”
O’Connor-Connolly won her seat running as an independent in last week’s election, in which the PPM won 9 of 18 seats, one short of a majority.
O’Connor-Connolly had served as Cayman’s Premier since December, when former Premier McKeeva Bush was removed after an arrest on suspicion of corruption. He was later formerly charged with corruption and awaits his next court date.
Bush, however, will remain in the Legislative Assembly after winning a seat in the West Bay District last week.
