Barbados: Newly re-elected Prime Minister Stuart names cabinet

Newly re-elected Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

One week after his ruling Democratic Labor Party (DLP) won the general elections, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has announced the composition of his cabinet dropping former Commerce and Trade minister Haynesley Benn.

Prime Minister Stuart said the new members of his cabinet had been chosen in pursuit of his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of leadership.

As a result, there have been changes to portfolios with John Boyce who was previously in charge of the Ministry of Transportation now the Minister of Health, while former Housing Minister Michael Lashley takes over Transport and Works.

The former health minister Donville Inniss is now the Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development; and Denis Kellman is no longer in charge of the Ministry of Small Business. He is now The Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development.

Finance and Economic Affairs remains in the hands of Chris Sinckler while Dr David Estwick returns as Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management.

Ronald Jones maintains his position as Minister of Education; Richard Sealy as Minister of Tourism with the added portfolio of International Transport; Steve Blackett as Minister of Social Care; Dr Denis Lowe as Minister of the Environment and Drainage; Adriel Brathwaite as Attorney General and Stephen Lashley as Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.

The new parliament will meet for the first time on Wednesday, March 6 with Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave, delivering the traditional Throne Speech outlining government’s policies and programs for the next five years. – (CMC)