PLP Announce New, Smaller Shadow Cabinet
[Updated] The PLP has announced a new Shadow Cabinet — which has been reduced in size — saying the “shift in parliamentary responsibilities is intended to increase efficiency, reinforce that we are a Government in Waiting, and that we are prepared and capable of handling the people’s business in the most responsible and respectable manner.”
A PLP spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, under Party Leader The Hon. Marc Bean JP, MP, is pleased to announce a new Shadow Cabinet.
“This shift in parliamentary responsibilities is intended to increase efficiency, reinforce that we are a Government in Waiting, and that we are prepared and capable of handling the people’s business in the most responsible and respectable manner.”
The new Shadow Cabinet announced today:
- Opposition Leader Marc Bean
- Shadow Minister of Finance David Burt
- Shadow Minister of Health & Community Affairs Michael Weeks
- Shadow Attorney General Michael Scott
- Shadow Minister of Education and Training Lovitta Foggo
- Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban
- Shadow Minister of Public Works and Environment Dennis Lister
- Shadow Minister of Transportation Lawrence Scott
- Shadow Minister of Tourism & Economic Development Jamahl Simmons
In April 2014, the PLP made a Shadow Cabinet shuffle, with the positions, at that time, as below:
- Marc Bean as Opposition Leader
- David Burt as Shadow Minister of Finance
- Lawrence Scott as Shadow Minister of Transport
- Michael Weeks as Shadow Minister of Community & Sports
- Derrick Burgess as Shadow Minister of Labour Relations & Seniors
- Zane DeSilva as Shadow Tourism Minister
- Michael Scott as Shadow Attorney General
- Kim Wilson as Shadow Health Minister
- Walter Roban as Shadow Public Safety Minister
- Wayne Furbert as Shadow Economic Development Minister
- Walton Brown as Shadow Minister for Immigration & External Affairs
- Lovitta Foggo as Shadow Education Minister
- Glenn Blakeney as Shadow Environment Minister
- Rolfe Commissiong as Shadow Minister for Human Affairs
- Dennis Lister as Shadow Minister of Public Works
Comparing the two lists shows that this Shadow Cabinet does not include Zane DeSilva, Wayne Furbert, Walton Brown, Glenn Blakeney, Rolfe Commissiong, Kim Wilson, and Derrick Burgess; while Jamahl Simmons has been added into the Shadow Cabinet.
This new Shadow Cabinet follows on the heels of recent speculation about the party’s internal matters, with unofficial sources suggesting that a segment of the Party may desire a change in leadership, and that at least one, if not more, MPs may have resigned from the Shadow Cabinet.
Update 5.41pm: MP Zane DeSilva has confirmed he resigned, saying: “After months of careful consideration I came to the conclusion that I could no longer serve in a Shadow Cabinet led by Marc Bean.
“I have expressed my thoughts to the Opposition Leader and he is fully aware of my concerns. I shall remain in service to Constituency 29 and the Progressive Labour Party.”
So from the missing names, can we read who resigned fromn the shadow cabinet and who supported Mr Bean?
The new Cabinet from #2 – #9 needs to wake up
Mr. Bean can’t win the next election, which involved the Opposition Leader being charged with allegedly using offensive language to former OBA Senator Toni Daniels. “OBA political w****”
I can only assume that the former cabinet members that he X did not support his leadership. I’m pretty sure that their area constituents have stress to them that if Mark remains they will not vote 2017. Why because I’m 1 of many who have felt the same way.
His leadership will result in a repeat of the 2012 election as many PLP voters did not vote PLP and still didn’t trust the oba.
When former Premier Cannonier was involved around the JETGATE he stepped aside and came back in Cabinet 12 months later. Mr. Bean needs to walk the same path for the sake of the party.
“Shadow Opposition Leader” – get it?
Night of the rubber knives.
Marc Bean has just insulted the entire population of Bermuda with that statement. How stupid does he think we are, that after what has happened in the PLP in the last week, does he honestly think that his shadow cabinet resignation/axing/reshuffle has anything to do with creating a more efficient government in waiting… instead of what it really is… a shadow cabinet populated with the only members left that he could muster/trust to join him.
The PLP is a party comprised of conflicting political ideologies and egos, united only for votes to get into power, but still fundamental divided at the core… especially when it comes to which faction should get to lead
Stalin too had a few purges. I don’t think this is a good sign Mr. Bean. I look forward to the upcoming internal power struggle.
Interesting spin.
I can see some major egos being bruised because of this move.
Very curious as to what the future holds for the PLP going forward. No parties can keep a lid on internal rifts for too long.
While I am not a PLP supporter, hopefully it doesn’t impair their ability to become an effective opposition, as our system definitely needs one, no matter who’s in power.
And only one woman in the whole shadow cabinet now…
There where 2 women when there was 15,now there is one with 9.
So you’re point is?
Do you think either situation is consider to be acceptable?
What was your point?
That’s not the quota O.J.’s concerned with.
I know.
The man is more shallow than Shelly Bay at low tide and just as predictable!
I believe the point is with women representing over 50% of the population to have less than 11% representation in Shadow Cabinet is disproportionate.
The bigger picture of course is the creation of 2 distinct camps – one pro-Bean and the other opposed. Unfortunately, the PLP looks to be divided and we have not heard the last of this power struggle.
Since when did the plp care about representing ALL of Bermuda?
Just like U.B.P and B.D.A./O.B.A.
Onion Juice. You make me cry from laughing, you are one deluded blinded stuck on s and stuck in the past ah
This power struggle has been ongoing for a long time, they are left and right wing ideologies working together only because neither could muster enough votes apart. Course we haven’t heard the last, it’s been going on for decades, and will continue so long as they try to keep fooling everyone into thinking that they are united for anything other than votes.
Wrong use of the word ‘where’.
Come on now, you are talking about Onion Juice! Give him/her a break. He/she tries but the best that can be done is the best than can be done.
Yup, we have already seen what Mr. Bean thinks about women in politics
Lol there are a number of things wrong with the demographics of this particular group.
Dropping Kim Wilson is a serious mistake.
Next DPP
Not likely. That’s a non-political appointment, unlike the AG.
No way. Not qualified
Bean didn’t drop Kim Wilson. Kim Wilson dropped Marc Bean.
I would think that would be more like it.
Facts.
kim should be the new leader
when a leader time comes to go they should do what is best for the party and step aside
That is the trouble with PLP politics ‘what is best for the party’, when it should be ‘what is best for the country’… not saying the OBA isn’t immune from it, but they have a long way to go to learn from the PLP in selfish party politics.
She`s a woman.
Smaller shadow cabinet = government in waiting capable of handling our affairs? I feel some deception coming on.
Lord have mercy !!!!!!!!!!!! can you imagine these newly appointed shadow ministers running our Island !!!I am saddened that Kim Wilson no longer has a shadow ministry…and else for who can not make up his mind what party to be loyal to has a shadow ministery……
I think the P.L.P. under Marc Bean’s leadership is all over…….
Smaller for “increased efficiency etc. etc.”…ya, sure.
More like they don’t have enough who are willing to support Bean. The names involved tell the real story here.
Very weak team. Hardly any talent in the PLP now. Jamahl Simmons… really?!
i know, right?? that deserves a chuckle! i mean, c’mon…seriously??? scraping the bottom of the bucket big time! start the count down.
Well…..the Railway route is being updated for walkers and cyclists.
Train wreck comes to mind…………………
Zane DeSilva, Wayne Furbert, Walton Brown, Glenn Blakeney, Rolfe Commissiong, Kim Wilson, and Derrick Burgess
This is the REAL PLP power house, change is on the way
… ‘united we stand, divided we fall’… no more ‘standing strong’, now it’s the Lean, Mean, Green Fighting Machine…
Throne speech Gate more like.
why not bring in brother Chris and Rev Tweed
We don’t need no foreign workers in our government/island and um not talking about brother Chris….
@serious though–I agree, seems like the powerhouse lacked enough power to overthrow, that central committee must be backing the leader, and what actually are the issues and do they affect the wider community ? I just wonder about loyalties in general, the powerhouse are the elected by the people, couldn’t they reach an agreement for the sake of the country they represent? There are so many unanswered questions, the power house will remain in the backbench and hopefully we will get to still hear them.
PLP is in a mess !!!!!
I think it is important to have a much smaller team who is efficient and in agreement with its leader. Good move Bean/PLP.
So you like purges and dictatorships (i.e. don’t agree with the leader you must be gone!).
You’re half right.
More like have to do what Bean says or you’re out….lmao doesn’t look good for the PLP/UBP!
Wondering if Bean has had his shadow cabinet sign oaths of loyalty yet? His mentor had to resort to that too.
Huge conflict: Loyalty should be to the people not one person.
Something isn’t right! Where is the transparency plp!? Then again asking for that is like watching paint dry!
Striped paint.
Paint eventually dries, transparency from the PLP…. I wouldn’t hold my breathe
Well, this is interesting. And I think very telling of what is happening in the PLP at the moment. I suspect we’ll see more changes in the relatively near future.
It’s rather sad, as we need a solid, relevant opposition.
Well lets get real here.
Old Mother Ewart went to the Cabinet and it was empty.
Now it only holds a can of Beans.
The shadow is so small from the tin of Beans he decides to make a smaller Cabinet.
Food for thought.
Plus the lights are out so the Cabinet dose not have a shadow.
Shalom.
It would appear that Mr. Bean is putting his personal survival as Leader ahead of the Party’s best interests. This is a real shame given several obviously more appealing MPs now sidelined who would likely win a General Election and run a competent executive.
Zane , Rolf and others more appealing … Ah more appealing than Bean, OK I follow.
Personally, I think Kim Wilson can lead and win but there are indeed others – Zane would be an interesting choice and probably more of a vote getter than is the present common wisdom.
The worst thing would be reduced rump of a PLP as opposition after the next election – then there would not even be the pretence of an OBA, just a UBP as out of control as they ever were in their prime – especially Dunkley.
No idea why you think Zane DeSilva would be a good vote getter. If you think he would draw OBA supporters I completely disagree.
The PLP will likely never draw (especially white) OBA/UBP voters. In any event, the Party can win without them – just get their own supporters to the polls, turnout, turnout, turnout… Zane is not my preferred choice for leader, but he’s the sleeper who just might surprise.
They could if they tried, as opposed to being so hostile to those they forever perceive as being their enemy.
Instead of always simply being about winning your traditional base, how about, for once, trying to appeal to the whole population? But when you put candidates in who are constantly spewing negativity against segments of the population, and claiming they are not real Bermudians or anti Bermudian etc., it sends out a strong message as to you intend to govern in an exclusionary way and for people you only deem worthy.
Might not be the case you say, but the perception, which is fed by the rhetoric, contributes to this issue in a huge way. Just my opinion.
I don’t know or care about what personal beef you might have with Dunkley…but you couldn’t be further from the truth…you could NOT EVER corrupt a single bone in Dunkley’s body….try again…
Yeah, and Santa Claus will be coming down your chimney soon…
There’s a better chance of that happening…now you’re getting it….congrats!
Did you ever pay attention to what went on between ’98 and ’12??
Lets be VERY CLEAR…the best and the brightest have RESIGNED! Why? BEAN! They realise they can’t win an election with Bean as the leader! Trouble is the PLP delegates have the power and will not see reason in getting rid of him and going with a new, moderate and sensible leader. The new shadow cabinet is the shallow end of the intellect pool, they will expose themselves as inept very quickly and Bean will be frustrated and be even more of an offensive liability for the PLP!…all very cool!:)
Back to the 70′s.
Love the PLP press release “A Government in waiting…” LOL! More like a “train wreck occurring…” Honestly PLP hard liners? You really think hand on heart that Bean and your new Shadow Cabinet could run the Country? Really? How are they qualified to run it? Michael Scott is a lawyer….next? Lets send that Group to negotiate for us with seasoned foreign diplomats!! Really, really PLP hard core, put your hand on your heart and pinky swear its a Government Cabinet in waiting!LOL
Do I see another party being formed by the ones who didn’t support Bean?! Hmm
Never. Everyone thinks that they are the real PLP.
Good luck Marc Bean is the sentiment that comes to mind
Yup….I see a new and improved PLP party being created with either Zane or Walton as the head
For what I know not Walton.
I’m going with the PBU…
Peoples Broke Union
Looking forward to the next election…oba one hit wonder!
Hah! Funniest comment on the thread so far!
Can I ask why you wish for that to happen?
Have you not read the numerous AG reports on our missing monies and the misappropriation of hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars?
They are the sole reason for our financial woes and the need to cut back. No one else.
Why would you want the same characters back in after that nonsense?
It’s a serious question.
And may you spend eternity as the Government in waiting ..Jamahl? Seriously? The irrelevancy of the PLP grows each day…..
If the situation were reversed & the PLP was in power & doing a good job, they would look at an OBA in shambles & call an election.
Well, the OBA is in power & the PLP can’t even produce a good opposition, never mind a viable alternate Government. Every week the OBA announces a bit of good news.
Must be time to call an election & reset the clock.
That would be a selfish thing to do. I do not believe they walk that path. They are committed to progress – not just staying in power. Just my opinion, but I’d find it a shame if they called an election for their own sakes instead of attending the peoples business.
Election with referendums for legalization of weed and same sex unions?
very clever – removing the capable people from the shadow cabinet – stunning in its stupidity!!
Did you expect anything less from the plp?
Could this be a distancing of the party from those who are about to be implicated in the auditors report?
Now , is not the time to call an election . We must let the PLP grow stronger first. Who said that the OBA are not caring people ?
That’s the same thinking by Cox that lost the election for the plp in 2012. A big miscalculation by her. Not saying they should do that now, but politics is about retaining power and taking advantage of a weak opposition. This is not a new concept and is used the world over and has been used throughout history.
Not to mention Gordon Brown too on a much, much bigger stage… OBA could call now and win, a quick three week campaign, low PLP turnout all but assured. Nandi would very likely go down but Walton, Blakeney, M Scott seats all in play. However, it would mean a major shift in game plan from current plan to coast home on wave of America’s Cup success.
good to hear from you Rodney..always!
What Marc Bean really needs is a smaller EGO…not a smaller shadow cabinet!
His 2 minutes of fame are over. He does not have any game! No work experience, no professional experience, no intellectual inquiry, no common sense!
The PLP is the party of the country’s black population; its leader is ONE of the leaders of the black community (one of a number of such leaders, and an important one at that). If Marc Bean were a serious individual he would admit that he does not have what it takes be a leader of the Bermuda’s society today (Maybe in the past he could have run one of our cricket clubs)
But today, in today’s demanding world and economy (and it devastating impact on Bermuda) his skills, expertise and abilities are found wanting!! You’re out Marc! Take a hike!
Mr. Bean needs to work out things with his friends.
The whole party should be reduced to 0.
WHO IS SHADOW NAT SECURITY? BEAN? LOL!!!!!!
All seems very similar to the Cabinet that Dame Jennifer quickly assembled just before the great deception was enacted. I am also reminded of Zane Desilva’s recent comments that he did not want to be the leader of the PLP, but he did not say that he didn’t want to be the Leader of the Opposition,under whatever guise it may take.
Seems to me that the PLP had their own “secret report” and we are witnessing its recommendations.
You can’t be real,you. Keep Jamahl Simmons and Walter Roban,at those positions and you let some one like Miss Kim Wilson go instead of putting her in eighter one of those positions can’t believe that ..
She maybe refused to serve…that’s what I hear.
“streamline Shadow cabinet” i prefer a “no comment” than listening to this BS- BARF!!
What a bunch of jokers….and not one garnishes any hope of running this island country! Good move I guess….self destruction at best.
David Burt needs to get away from this group and Bean
The longer he stays, the more he erodes his own credibility. He does not have much time left.
Credibility? Every time he speaks on finance he demonstrates none.
The Brown brigade have been supplanted by the Bean believers.
This is all because they’re going to form their own party, and obviously release certain things about the current PLP/UBP when it comes election time. Win/Win for the dropped or the droppees! Easy to see…
Not a bad idea !!
All’s fair in love and politics !!