Speculation about a cabinet shuffle was widespread just before Christmas and resurfaced this week.
A source close to the situation said the shuffle is to affect Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt, Investment and Financial Services Minister Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Attorney General Alfred Sears, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom, Environment Ambassador Keod Smith and Health Ministry ‘s parliamentary secretary Ron Pinder.
None of them confirmed nor denied the claims. Ironically, they all seemed to have been handed the same script, saying they knew nothing of the supposed shuffle and that, if one took place, it would be up to the prime minister, whose decision they would support.
Returning from a trip to New York, Sears told The Guardian Tuesday, “I’m just leaving the airport. I didn’t know anything before I left and I don’t know whether there has been any shuffle while I’ve been away. Has anything happened?…. Am I still the attorney general?…. According to your sources, am I still in the cabinet?”
Reliable sources said Mr. Sears, upon losing one of his senior partners, wants to concentrate more on his law firm, thus giving up his post as attorney general.
To replace him, the prime minister is considering Maynard-Gibson, but is meeting much resistance from her. Sources say that while Christie feels the position would better utilised by her expertise, Maynard-Gibson feels the post will only smudge her image.
Asked whether she could confirm the claims, on Wednesday Maynard-Gibson said it would be “totally inappropriate” for her to comment.
“Those decisions, as you know, are in the prime minister’s realm, so I have no comment,” she said.
Mrs. Pratt, on the other hand, is said to be heading to Mt. Fitzwilliam to occupy Government House. And if so, she would become the second woman governor-general of The Bahamas.
When questioned about the claim, she said: “The only person who would know that is the prime minister himself. He would have the power to do that. Until he says what he has to say, I don’t know who can say that.”
Asked whether he is reviewing his governmental team, Mrs. Pratt said Christie has not brought up the issue with her.
Pinder is the only one of the six whose position seemed to get political leaders and others close to the government off guard. And, there is speculation that he may be up for a promotion or transfer.
Pinder putting it nicely said: “I understand that there is a lot of talk about me, but I feel that it is a lot or mere speculation. There is no substance behind it. But, let me say this, I believe the prime minister will be calculating, taking his time. I will support whatever decision he makes.”
As for the ambassador for the environment, sources claim his fate is being orchestrated by someone other than the prime minister.
Regardless, Smith stressed that that decision is solely Mr. Christie’s.
“I am required by parliamentary procedures to adhere to his wishes. He is the prime minister,” he said. “I am required to continue to serve…. and to never let go until it’s time. In everything else, I subject myself to the will of the prime minister. I support him 100 percent. If a part of that requires me to stop being what I am currently, as his ambassador, I have absolutely no problem doing it.”
Minister Wisdom was said to be “off the island” Wednesday.
The Guardian was not the only group informed about the supposed reshuffle. The opposition said it, too, “heard through the grapevine” about which cabinet minister may be in and out.
Free National Movement deputy leader Sidney Collie on Tuesday said: “The removal of minister Wisdom is long overdue. I don’t know why the prime minister took so long to consider moving him. It’s obvious that from the time he took the position as minister of youth, sports and culture he’s been making a number of mistakes.”
Of the post of deputy prime minister, Mr. Collie said, “We were always of the view that she was a mature woman and…. (the appointment of) ‘Mother’ Pratt at the ministry of national security was a mis-hit. We thought that she would have been better suited as some other ministry…. Our word is that she was tipped to go to Government Hill and she was fighting it. Something must have happened if this it true.”
In regards Maynard-Gibson and the attorney general post, Collie said he received similar information.
“From what I know of her, she was a capable lawyer. And, she may be better suited for that position than the minister for investment. She hasn’t done very much, other than public relations stunts. If she accepts the position of AG, she’ll be forced to do some work.”
Pinder received high praises from Collie, who said he was one of the new “cabinet ministers” actually “holding his own” and “doing an incredible job.”
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
