From left to right, APPG Chair and Member of Parliament Sarah Champion and Cayman Islands Government Representative to the UK, Dr Tasha Ebanks Garcia,

The Cayman Islands Government Office in the United Kingdom has confirmed the re-establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cayman Islands in the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, which will be chaired by Member of Parliament Sarah Champion.

This marks the culmination of months of strategic engagement by the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK with newly-elected Members of Parliament, following the 2024 UK General Election. Following the inaugural general meeting and election of officers on 7 May, Cayman is the first Caribbean Overseas Territory and the third of the UK’s twelve inhabited Overseas Territories to re-establish an APPG in the current Parliament, under newly implemented rules.

The Cayman Islands’ APPG will serve as a cross-party platform for parliamentarians with an interest in the Cayman Islands, its people, economy, and shared democratic values. It will also play an important role in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Cayman Islands and the United Kingdom.

The establishment of the APPG follows several months’ worth of successful high-level engagements spearheaded by the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, including a parliamentary drop-in session in September last year with participation from the Cayman Islands Deputy Premier and visiting delegation, attended by a number of MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum. 

There were also a series of bilateral meeting in November 2024 the between the Premier of the Cayman Islands and UK parliamentarians, including the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson. A parliamentary reception at the Speaker’s house earlier this year also had the support of the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Minister for Nature, and parliamentarians across both Houses and major political parties.

These activities strengthened the Cayman Islands Government’s voice at the start of a new Parliament and under a new Labour administration in the UK.

In commenting on the development, newly sworn-in Premier of the Cayman Islands Hon. Andre Ebanks stated, “I am very pleased to see that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands has been re-established in the new UK Parliament. It will provide a valuable forum to bring together Parliamentarians from different political parties to discuss issues of shared interest, and an important platform to inform policymakers about developments in the Cayman Islands.” 

Cayman Islands Government Representative to the UK, Dr Tasha Ebanks Garcia noted that since the UK’s general election, the focus has been on developing relations with new Members of Parliament and understanding how best to engage under the revised Parliamentary framework. “The re-establishment of the APPG is an important and exciting milestone and we look forward to working collaboratively with the new APPG as we continue to foster constructive relations between UK Parliamentarians and the Cayman Islands.  I am truly humbled by the interest shown in the Cayman Islands. On behalf of the Government and people of the Cayman Islands I wish to express sincere gratitude to each member of our newly formed APPG.”

The All-Party Parliamentary Group Chair and MP, Sarah Champion stated, “I am honoured to Chair the newly re-established Cayman Islands APPG. The Cayman Islands has a unique and valued relationship with the UK built on mutual respect and a shared British heritage. I look forward to working with colleagues across Parliament to deepen our understanding of the issues that matter most to Caymanians and to support our special and productive relationship.”

Conservative, APPG Vice-Chair, The Rt Hon. the Lord Brady of Altrincham noted, “The Cayman Islands has long played a respected and important role as part of the British family. I am delighted to continue my longstanding support for the Cayman Islands as the Vice-Chair of the APPG and to help champion the interests and aspirations of the Cayman Islands in Westminster.”

Edward Morello MP (Liberal Democrat, APPG Officer) expressed, “I am delighted to be lending my support to the creation of the new Cayman Islands APPG as an Officer of the APPG. The Group will help ensure the Cayman Islands’ voice continues to be heard in Parliament as one of the UK’s valued Overseas Territories, and provides an important platform to support stronger ties and mutual understanding between our two countries.”

The Rt Hon. the Baroness Laing of Elderslie DBE (Conservative, APPG Officer) said, “I am delighted to join the Cayman Islands APPG as an Officer. The Cayman Islands is a valued and enduring member of the British family, with a vibrant economy, natural environment and rich culture. I look forward to supporting the Islands in my role as Officer of the APPG.”