How would a new PNP Cabinet look?

There will be a shake-up of sorts in the Cabinet if Portia Simpson Miller gets her own mandate when Jamaicans go to the polls next Monday, September 3. But, for those calling for sweeping changes, that will not happen. The fact is, after 18 years in office, the PNP has grown stale and has seemingly ran out of options.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who kept many of the old guard when she took over the leadership of the People's National Party (PNP) from P.J. Patterson, is expected to name a Cabinet that will reflect a lot of experience, but some youthfulness. The Cabinet aside, many of her junior ministers would literally be junior in terms of age and experience. After all, some 40 per cent of the PNP candidates are facing the polls for the first time and Mrs. Simpson Miller will most likely appoint people she can influence.

Among the junior ministers

So expect Lisa Hanna, Norman Horne (if he wins his seat), Kern Spencer, Delano Franklyn and Basil Waite (through the Senate) to be named among the junior ministers.

The talk on the road is that Maxine Henry-Wilson, the Minister of Education and Youth who is in a dogfight with the Jamaica Labour Party's Joan Gordon-Webley for the St. Andrew South East constituency, could find herself out of the Cabinet. The decision would be easier for Mrs. Simpson Miller if the incumbent minister loses her seat. Unconfirmed reports are that both women are merely tolerating each other for the sake of the party. If Mrs. Henry-Wilson is left out then Trevor Munroe could be made Education Minister regardless of whether he wins his seat. But can there be a PNP Cabinet without Mrs. Henry-Wilson? Time will tell.

With a Cabinet no bigger than 14 ministers, just who are the likely persons who will comprise the executive arm of government?

Portia Simpson Miller as Prime Minister would automatically be responsible for Defence and may retain the Sport portfolio.

Deputy Prime Minister and National Security - Peter Phillips

Housing, Transport, Water and Works - Robert Pickersgill

Education - Trevor Munroe or Maxine Henry-Wilson

Finance and Planning - Dr. Omar Davies (Peter Bunting within a year, if he wins the Central Manchester seat against the Jamaica Labour Party's Sally Porteous.

Information and Development - Colin Campbell

Commerce and Technology - Phillip Paulwell

Attorney General and Justice Minister - Donna Scott-Mottley

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade - Anthony Hylton

Agriculture - Roger Clarke

Tourism and Entertainment - Aloun Assamba (through the Senate)

Health - Fenton Ferguson

Labour and Social Security - Derrick Kellier

Local Government and Environment - Dean Peart

Despite the Trafigura scandal and public sentiment, Colin Campbell should return as Minister of Information and possibly Development, the same ministry he headed before he resigned at th of the Trafigura affair. His close associate, Phillip Paulwell, the most-talked-about minister, not for his achievements, but for the scandals in which he has been implicated will retain his place in the Cabinet. Like Campbell, he was a strong Portia supporter during the hot tempered presidential battle. To appease the public, Simpson Miller could strip Paulwell of some of his responsibilities, in essence dismantling his super ministry. Word on the street is that he may merely be left with the Technology portfolio. That is left to be seen.

Empowering women

With Mrs. Simpson Miller's emphasis on empowering women, Mrs. Assamba is likely to return as Minister of Tourism through the Senate, since she did not contest the South East St. Ann seat. In any event Mrs. Assamba is seen as having done a reasonably good job. On the other hand, it is hard to see her keeping A.J. Nicholson in the Cabinet. Apart from not distinguishing himself, he would have to be brought in through the Senate for three consecutive terms having last faced the electorate in the 1993 general election.

For his part, Horace Dalley has largely been viewed as a non-performer. He also did not support Mrs. Simpson Miller's presidential bid; he should give way to Ferguson who is seen as a hard worker.