Mottley reshuffle sparks debate on party unity, political strategy

Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s cabinet reshuffle, sparked by the resignations of two ministers, has ignited discussions among top political analysts, who view the changes as potentially indicative of tensions in the governing Barbados Labour Party, strategic political manoeuvring, or an effort to maintain discipline within key government ranks.

 

Mottley on Tuesday announced a ministerial shakeup aimed at strengthening the administration’s focus on national priorities, with Marsha Caddle – former minister of innovation, industry, science and technology – stepping down from the Cabinet citing differences in principles  and Corey Lane – minister responsible for crime prevention – following suit for personal reasons.

 

Caddle, who reasoned that “when principles do not align, a minister has a duty to resign, so the will and work of the Government can be done”, said she had reached such a point.

 

She pledged her continued commitment to the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and colleagues.

 

“One thing is certain, and the people of Barbados so overwhelmingly declared twice at the polls: the Barbados Labour Party is the clear choice to help guide this country through both the challenges and opportunities that confront us domestically, and in particular globally. I remain committed to the Barbados Labour Party, to supporting my colleagues in their important work, and to serving the people of St Michael South Central and Barbados in every way I can,” the former minister said in a statement.

 

“I am proud of the work I have led in the Ministry over these 14 months, and of which you will hopefully learn during these ongoing Estimates, including the investments in cybersecurity that have been needed, and giving GovTech the resources to begin to build a real tech ecosystem for digital services and transformation. I think I’ve left a good wicket for this sector to be successful.”

 

Lane, whose resignation takes effect on Wednesday, attributes his decision to resign to personal reasons and his desire to spend more time with his family.

 

Political scientist Devaron Bruce sees Caddle’s resignation as a maverick’s latest show of independence. He recalled her being critical of the administration’s policies while on the backbench, particularly in areas that she would have familiarity with, given her background with the Caribbean Development Bank.

 

Bruce declared: “She has really brought to bear that critical eye and independence, and we have seen now, yet again, her willingness to break with the government, given, as she mentioned, her philosophical differences regarding herself and the ministry, and I assume, the entire cabinet and the prime minister of Barbados.”

 

Commenting on the appointment of Senator Chad Blackman to replace Kay McConney as minister of education, Devaron suggested the move is Prime Minister Mottley’s way of grooming him as a candidate for upcoming general elections.

 

“I would say that there is some strategic move here regarding the prime minister’s new appointee to the Ministry of Education in Chad Blackman. Now Chad Blackman who will soon be an MP, a presumptive MP, if everything goes well on his end for St James North, is now being placed in the ministry with an extensive budget,” Bruce told Barbados TODAY.

 

The political analyst said that the ministry has plenty of “front-facing attention” as it relates to media and engagement.

 

“So, I think,” he suggested, “it was quite strategic to place him in that ministry, given the fact that that is a ministry that quite often has to interact with everyday Barbadians as opposed to the previous ministry regarding economic affairs. So, that was also a very interesting move on her part. I am thinking that she is thinking elections, and certainly lining up her ducks for elections.”

 

Bruce also thinks the Cabinet adjustments raise questions about the effectiveness of many MPs.

 

He said: “We know government has been singing its praises regarding how well it’s been doing on the economy and on various other issues. But, the mere fact you are now having a reshuffle, may very well be a possibility that those praises may not be as warranted as they’ve been giving themselves. They may very well be showing some cracks in the Barbados Labour Party as well too, given you’ve had two ministers stepping aside.”

 

Bruce pointed out that while the new appointees should be wished the best, Barbadians need to keep a keen eye on the developments going forward within the BLP government.

 

Another political scientist, Dr George Brathwaite, believes the prime minister’s reallocation of portfolios is a strategy to maintain party loyalty and discipline among ministers.

 

“I think more or less, it is a matter of maintaining party discipline, going with persons that you trust to get the job done, and at the same point in time, I think it is removing certain elements from the public limelight, which could be detrimental to the political party,” Dr Brathwaite told Barbados TODAY.

 

He praised the move to appoint Sen. Blackman as minister of education against the backdrop of what he saw as the problems experienced by education under Kay McConney.

 

“He has done reasonably well wherever he has been placed, whether it was in terms of the ambassadorial position; the matured statements that he gave in relation to the senate, he toes the party line. So, I think that is one that the prime minister would feel some comfort in. He may add the dimensions; he gets things done without the fanfare or fancy words; so, that might be the panacea that education needs at this time in terms of looking forward to educational reform, and just keeping the negatives away from education,” the political analyst argued.

 

Regional pollster and political scientist Peter Wickham is of the view that the resignation of Caddle was unfortunate. Wickham believes her departure would be a loss for the government.

 

“I think that Marsha’s departure from the Cabinet is regrettable. I think that she is a person with considerable political talent, and I think that her intellect is useful for the Barbados Labour Party to have on board,” Wickham told Barbados TODAY, reiterating like his fellow scientists, that it was not the first time Caddle has shown a disinterest in the Cabinet.

 

“My sense is that we are seeing a change in focus in terms of political outlook, and maybe she may want to serve more at the local level in terms of her constituents; and if that’s what she enjoys, that is fine. I do wish her well, but I do think it’s unfortunate.”

 

As far as Corey Lane is concerned, Wickham pointed out that while he may be facing certain challenges now, he is someone with a bright political future.

 

He suggested that it is wise at this time for the former crime prevention minister to focus on the priority of making sure that his family is okay.

 

“I think he also saves government having to answer questions regarding either conflict of interest or hypocrisy in the sense that any issue can be dealt with now that he is outside of the cabinet and he can defend himself more effectively, and then he can return,” the political scientist told Barbados TODAY.

 

He also wished Senator Blackman well in his post of minister of education, asserting that many leaders hone their skills there.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb