Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips has named a new shadow cabinet with some not so surprising changes in the wake of the recent PNP presidential challenge.

 

At the end of the challenge, some of the persons who had supported defeated candidate Peter Bunting resigned their spokesman portfolios, giving Dr. Philips the latitude to choose his new team.

 

Pundits had urged Dr. Phillips to keep key members of the Bunting campaign group, as this would augur well for a show of unity in the party.

 

Today, Dr. Philips named his new shadow cabinet, which included his challenger Peter Bunting in a new role, spokesman on education and training. Bunting previously served as spokesman on industry and investment.

 

In a statement, Dr. Phillips explained that the new team includes a number of fresh faces, who will shadow existing government ministries and engage the country in the PNP’s new policy solutions prior to the next general election.

 

Dr. Phillips also announced new arrangements to involve some of the new candidates, who are not members of parliament, providing them with an opportunity to get policy development experience and strengthen political advocacy.

 

He explained that a basic consideration guiding the selection of the new shadow cabinet was not to include persons who would not be candidates in the next general election.

 

Another consideration was to enable younger parliamentarians to gain experience.

 

He said that in keeping with the principle of broadening experience, the opportunity has been taken to appoint some new candidates as political portfolio support.

 

These persons will work closely with portfolio shadow ministers and their task forces, while sharing their professional skills, and assist in engaging various stakeholder groups throughout the country.

 

Meantime, among the noticeable changes made to the new opposition shadow cabinet is the removal of Dr. Dayton Campbell, reverend Ronald Thwaites, and Dr. Angella Brown Burke, who had supported PNP presidential candidate Peter Bunting.

 

The new shadow cabinet includes 19 portfolios and 20 shadow ministers

 

Dr. Peter Phillips remains the Opposition Leader and Spokesman on planning & development, and defence.

 

Lecturer in economics at the University West Indies and candidate for West Central St. James, Senator, Dr. Andre Haughton will oversee the planning and development aspect of the portfolio, which remains in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

 

The portfolio of social transformation, community development and culture, to which Senator Damion Crawford has been assigned, will develop new approaches to achieve far-reaching cultural and social changes required to restore harmony in families and communities. Crawford previously served as spokesman on youth. Crawford replaces Noel Arscott.

 

Mark Golding remains spokesman on finance & public service, with Senator Lambert Brown still overseeing the public service aspect of the portfolio.

 

Fitz Jackson remains the spokesman on national security and Lisa Hanna for foreign affairs & foreign trade.

 

Donna Scott Mottley remains spokesperson on justice. She is also leader of opposition business in the Senate.

 

Peter Bunting has been reassigned from the industry, investment & competitiveness portfolio; he is now spokesman on education & training, replacing Reverend Ronald Thwaites.

 

Michael Stewart remains in the education portfolio, but now has responsibility for teacher development & stakeholder relations.

 

Dr. Morais Guy is the new spokesman on health & wellness, replacing Dr. Dayton Campbell.

 

Anthony Hylton is the new spokesman on industry, competitiveness & global logistics.

 

Dr. Wykeham Mcneill remains the spokesman on tourism, but no longer for entertainment.

 

Mikael Phillips remains the spokesman on transport & works.

 

Dr. Fenton Ferguson is the new spokesman on water, environment & climate change, replacing Senator Sophia Fraser Binns and Ian Hayles.  Ferguson previously served as spokesman on agriculture.

 

Fraser Binns has been reassigned to be spokesperson on land & housing, with Ricahrd Azan remaining as the overseer of the housing aspect of the portfolio.

 

And Victor Wright, who previously worked with Dr. Ferguson, has been elevated to spokesman on agriculture & rural development.

 

Horace Dalley remains the spokesman on labour, social security & special abilities; with Senator Floyd Morris still responsible for the social security & special abilities aspect of the portfolio.

 

Phillip Paulwell remains spokesman on mining & energy and Julian Robinson for science, information & technology.

 

Natalie Neita is the new spokesperson on local government, replacing Dr. Angella Brown Burke.  Neita previously served as spokesperson on sports & gender & information.

 

Newcomer Denise Daley is the spokesperson on youth, gender, entertainment & sports, with another newcomer Dwayne Vaz responsible for the youth & entertainment aspects of the portfolio.

 

Vaz will also serve as deputy leader of opposition business in the lower house, replacing Neita.

 

Dr. Morais Guy is the new leader of opposition business in the House of Representatives, replacing Paulwell.

 

The PNP said these changes are consequent on the assignment of Paulwell, and Neita, who have assumed national campaign responsibilities as the People’s National Party prepares for general election, due in sixteen months.

 

And, former permanent secretary, Elaine Foster Allen is the new shadow cabinet secretary.