(CMR) André Ebanks (44), the Cayman Islands Representative to the United Kingdom and Europe tendered his resignation Sunday to contest a seat in the April 2021 general elections for the constituency of West Bay South as an independent candidate.
Exclusive sources have shared that Ebanks will be cutting his three-year secondment stint in the UK short instead will be joining Raul Nicholson-Coe in challenging incumbent MP Tara Rivers. So far, it appears that they will be the only three candidates vying for that seat.
Many have opined that MP Rivers is ripe for being removed after severing two terms in office. She was originally elected in May 2013 and last served as Minister of Financial Services and Home Affairs. As former Minister of Gender Affairs, many remain disappointed that she has remained silent on the Speaker’s admitted unprovoked attack on a bar manager in February 2020.
McKeeva made comments on Friday taking aim at her other opponent Nicholson-Coe.
Ebanks was appointed to the position in the UK in August 2019 becoming Cayman’s most senior official in the United Kingdom responsible for promoting our interest in the UK and throughout Europe. Ironically Ebanks was Senior Legislative Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Financial Services under Rivers.
Like Rivers, he is also a qualified attorney. His background includes experience in public policy development and a degree in Sociology; a past Gender Equality Tribunal member; and a former Human Rights Committee member.
Before taking on his current rule he was a Deputy Chief Officer for 3.5 years. Previously he worked in the private sector for some 15 years as an Associate and member of the Investment Funds Practice Group of Walkers (Cayman).
Ebanks is married with two children.