Shocking cabinet reshuffle in Barbados Prime Minister Motley not afraid to make tough decisions

BY LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Motley shocked the nation when she conducted a live address of national significance on July 22^nd, 2020 outlining the first reshuffle to her administration after winning the 2018 elections 30-0.

In the live address, which was televised on lone TV station Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), she noted the reshuffle of her cabinet. It has been criticized for being too large.

“The Government itself is readying and repositioning itself for the challenges that confront us, and for those that we anticipate will present themselves in the coming months and years. COVID will be with us for a little while, and we have to plan our defense not only with respect to the health aspects of it but also with respect to the consequences of the economy and the quality of life for all Barbadians,” Prime Minister Motley explained.

While not stating if the changes made to her cabinet were due to her evaluating the performance of the Ministers in the past two years, she noted that as Prime Minister she has had time to watch, observe and plan for the uncharted path ahead.

“My first point of introspection, therefore, is my cabinet. Being Prime Minister believe you me, has its challenges and among them is the need to ever so often step aside and to watch, analyze and observe how best to operate in the circumstances that present themselves to us.”

Before announcing the reshuffle, she announced the following persons would no longer have a ministry in her cabinet:

• Senator Lucille Moe (Minister of Information Broadcasting and Public Affairs)
• Edmund Hinkson (Minister of Home Affairs)
• Trevor Prescod (Minister of the Environment and National Beautification)
• George Payne (Minister of Housing Lands and Rural Development)
• Neil Rowe (Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affair)

Motley thanked them for their service, and told the reporters present that she will still be utilizing their services in Government.

What is shocking about the stripping of portfolios is the removal of senior members of the Barbados Labour Party: Edmund Hinkson, Trevor Prescod, and George Payne who have been party faithful, and have provided safe seats for the Barbados Labour Party on consecutive occasions.

Senator Lisa Cummins and Ian Gooding-Edghill were sworn in by Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason in Illaro Court to serve as newly appointed Ministers.

The following ministers were not changed from their current ministries:

• Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Investment)
• Dale Marshall QC (Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs with responsibility for the Police)
• Santia Bradshaw (Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Senator)
• Dr.Jerome Walcott (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
• Lieutenant Colonel Jeffery Bostic (Minister of Health and Wellness)
• Cynthia Forde (Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs)
• Ryan Straughn (Minister in the Ministry of Finance)
• Marsha Caddle (Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment)
• Sandra Husbands (Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Colin Jordan (Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector)
• Kirk Humphrey (Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy)
• Indar Weir (Minister of Agriculture and Food Security)
• Senator Rommel Springer (Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training)
• Senator Kay McConney (Minister of Innovation, Science, and Smart Technology)

The following ministers have been appointed new ministries:

• Dr. William Dugid (Minister of Housing Lands and Maintenance)
• Kerrie Symmonds (Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship)
• Adrian Forde (Minister of the Environment and National Beautification)
• Wilfred Abrahams (Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs)
• Charles Griffith (Minister in the Ministry of Water Resources)
• Dwight Sutherland (Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment)
• Peter Phillips (Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security)
• John King (Minister in the Prime Minister Office with Culture)

The following personss have been sworn in to serve as members of cabinet:

• Senator Lisa Cummins (Minister of Tourism and International Transport)
• Ian Gooding-Edghill (Minister of Transport Works and Water Resources)

This reshuffle, while shocking, shows without a doubt that the Prime Minister has been observing how ministers have been living up to their roles. She is not afraid to make the tough decisions if they assist with reshaping Barbados.