DLP slams ‘minor’ ministerial movements

“Mere window dressing” is how the Democratic Labour Party has labelled Prime Minister Mottley’s Cabinet reshuffle, even as it welcomed the three fewer ministerial salaries to be paid from Government’s coffers.

In a statement, the party insisted: “But 23 is still too many; Barbadians are not fooled. This latest theatre is mere window dressing.”

The DLP described as “demotions” the portfolio exit of Kerrie Symmonds from Tourism and International Transport to Energy and Small Business, Wilfred Abrahams from Energy and Water Resources to Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs and John King from Youth, Sports and Culture to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Despite the demotions of Minister Kerrie Symmonds, Minister Wilfred Abrahams and Minister John King, we note that the inept Attorney General is still in place; and the Minister of the Blue Economy remains non-functioning,” the party said.

It described the move of former co-Minister of Housing Charles Griffith, the MP for water-starved St John to the Ministry of Water Resources as a promotion, but stressed that the change would only work “if a policy is put in place and implemented – and we must not forget the continued woes of the people of St Lucy and St Peter among other places”

The DLP further argued that “the report card for most ministries is dismal, the  reshuffle  left more questions than answers.”

It said:  “We query the wisdom of putting a political neophyte with two years in the Senate, to lead our major foreign exchange earner at this critical time when a seasoned tourism practitioner in Ian Gooding-Edgehill sits in the Lower House of Assembly.

“This administration campaigned on a platform of transparency and honesty yet Ms Mottley removed MP George Payne as a minister with no explanation to the people for his prolonged absence from the Parliament of Barbados.”

The Democratic Labour Party said it would monitor the “minor changes” to determine if they bear fruit.