Jamaican opposition leader names Shadow Cabinet
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| Published on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
KINGSTON, Jamaica: After a week of consultations, discussions, proposals and counter proposals, Jamaica’s Opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller has finally named her 20-member Shadow Cabinet.
The Gleaner newspaper reported that there were no major surprises, as Philip Paulwell made a triumphant return and Peter Bunting was handed the National Security portfolio, while Peter Phillips and his key lieutenants, Maxine Henry Wilson, Fitz Jackson, Dean Peart and Sharon Hay-Weber were left out.
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| Portia Simpson Miller |
Twelve prominent Simpson-Miller supporters were named in what the party president described as her Council of Spokespersons designed to lead the "progressive agenda" on which the party said it was embarking.
The former prime minister rejected suggestions that she was rewarding persons for supporting her during the bitter leadership contest between herself and Dr Phillips.
“That is not a joke; it is serious work and I will be assessing from time to time the performance of every member of this team; who cannot live up to the team, others will take their place,” she told journalists.
She stressed that the Shadow Cabinet was a good mix of youth and experience designed to show the party's emphasis on rejuvenation and renewal while preparing a cadre of new leaders.
“When you look on the team here, you will see, maybe for the first time assembled by any Government or opposition, many young bright persons,” Simpson-Miller added.
Seven members of the team were ministers in the previous PNP government, while seven others were being named to the Shadow Cabinet for the first time.
Only two prominent Phillips supporters, Dr Fenton Ferguson and Wykehman Mc Neill retained their places in the Shadow Cabinet.
Simpson-Miller made special mention of Dr Phillips, who had previously indicated that he would not be interested in a place in the Shadow Cabinet. She said if he was prepared to serve she would have no hesitation of placing him.
“Dr Phillips is a very valuable member of the PNP and I will not allow anyone to devalue his contributions to the party,” Simpson-Miller said. | | | | Reads : 159 |
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