New Cabinet, New Opposition Leader...

Prime Minister David Thompson named his new Cabinet last night and they were sworn in today at an ecumenical service at Kensington Oval (maybe the 3rd official event held at Kensington since the World Cup ended 9 months ago, but that is a whole 'nother post).

The Cabinet is as follows:

David Thompson - Prime Minister, Finance, Economic Affairs and Development, Labour, Civil Service and Energy

Freundel Stuart - Attorney General, Home Affairs

Chris Sinckler - Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, International Business

Donville Inniss - Minister of State in the aforementioned Ministry

Dr. David Estwick - Health, National Insurance, Social Security

Denis Lowe - Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban Development

Patrick Todd - Minister of State in the aforementioned ministry

John Boyce - Transport, Works, International Transport

Steve Blackett - Community Development and Culture

Michael Lashley - Housing and Lands

George Hutson - Trade, Industry & Commerce

Richard Sealy - Tourism

Ronald Jones - Education, Human Resource Development

Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo - Family, Youth Affairs, Sports & the Environment

Haynesley Benn (Senator) - Agriculture, Rural Development

Maxine McClean (Senator) - Leader of Government Business in Senate, Minister in Prime Minister's Office

Arni Walters (Senator) - Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office

Darcy Boyce (Senator) - Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office

Stuff I found interesting:
- Lots of Ministers in the Prime Minister's office - three! I guess with such a hefty portfolio for himself, it was necessary to bring in that expertise. Time will tell who has been assigned to oversee which of the sectors.

- No Cabinet pick for Denis Kellman, who is one of the most experienced Dems in Parliament, in terms of terms elected - 4 in a row now. Is this a slight?

- Only two female Ministers, coming after Thompson said he wanted a stronger role for women in his new government and after an administration where women played dominant roles. True, Esther Byer was the only one of their 'four queens' to win her seat but I thought that Whittaker and Sandiford-Garner in particular, were demonstrably competent and would have at least been named Senators and Ministers.

- the 'Constituency Empowerment' ministry - not quite sure what that is, but I figure it has to do with the Dems' stated committment to setting up constituency councils to deal with the nitty-gritty everyday issues like streetlights and bad roads and debushing lots that often take so long to get resolved because it has to go all the way to whichever Ministry before it is resolved.

- the 'Human Resource Development' ministry - I have no clue what that is, to be honest. It really sounds like a sub-section of Labour and the Civil Service portfolio but it remains to be seen.