Video: New Senator & Ministers Announced

July 3, 2026 | 2 Comments

[Updated | Ryan Robinson Perinchief has been appointed as the new Senator and Minister of National Security, Reverend Dr Emily Gail Dill will serve as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Diallo Rabain will return as the Minister of Education.]

There will be a ‘focused realignment of Cabinet and Junior Minister responsibilities’ with new Ministers and Junior Ministers to be be sworn in at Government House this afternoon [July 3].

This is according to a statement sent out to PLP members last night, in which the Premier/PLP Leader said, “There has been public discussion this evening about changes to ministerial responsibilities, following Crystal Caesar’s resignation statement and speculation about other Cabinet and Junior Minister roles.

“So members hear it from me directly: following a day of meetings with colleagues, there will be a focused realignment of Cabinet and Junior Minister responsibilities. The formal process will be completed tomorrow, and new Ministers and Junior Ministers will be sworn in at Government House at 3:30 p.m.

“These decisions are never easy. I thank all who have served, and I thank our Party for the support given since the election.

“All members that I met with were advised that no formal announcement would be made until tomorrow, after the process is completed. However, some matters have entered the public domain earlier than intended.

“My responsibility is to ensure that this PLP Government is best positioned to deliver on our Throne Speech commitments, advance the legislative agenda, and keep the work of Government moving as we near the end of this legislative session.”

The announcement of the cabinet shuffle is expected later today and we will update after that occurs.

Update #1 | We will be live streaming it so the video below should go live at around 330 p.m. or shortly thereafter

Update #2 | Ryan Robinson Perinchief has been appointed as the new Senator and Minister of National Security, Reverend Dr Emily Gail Dill will serve as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Diallo Rabain will return as the Minister of Education.

Update #3: A couple of photos added below

Update #4 Opposition Leader & Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith said, “The resignation of the Minister of Education presented Premier Burt with an opportunity to reset public education. Instead, he chose to go backwards by reappointing the very minister many parents, teachers and education stakeholders had lost confidence in.

“After nine years of declining confidence in public education, this decision is a slap in the face to educators, parents and students who have been calling for greater transparency, stronger leadership and better results.

“The Premier continues to promise an Education Authority while deliberately leaving out the most important word which is that Independent. Recent events have shown exactly why and Independent Education Authority matters. Political interference has no place in our schools, yet this Government continues to place politics ahead of students.

“This reappointment sends the wrong message. Once again, loyalty to the Premier appears to have been rewarded over the opportunity to put Bermuda’s children first.

“The Opposition will judge Minister Rabain by his actions, not his words. We expect full transparency on the events at Port Royal Primary School, clear evidence that the Student Code of Conduct is improving school environments, a timeline for the future of education reform, and most importantly a credible plan to improve student achievement.

“Bermuda’s children deserve an education system that is transparent, accountable and focused on results, not politics.

“The question now is whether the Government’s backbench will finally find its voice and stand up for Bermuda’s children, or continue to remain silent while political loyalty takes precedence over educational excellence.”

Update #5 Premier David Burt said, “Acting Governor, Cabinet and parliamentary colleagues, families and friends, members of the media, and all who are present; thank you for coming.

“Today’s appointments form part of a focused realignment of Cabinet and Junior Minister responsibilities.

“Since 2017, this Government has won three successive and strong mandates from the people of Bermuda. That hard won trust is not to be taken lightly and I firmly believe that we were elected to deliver on our promises.

“My responsibility as Premier is to ensure that the Government is best positioned to deliver on those promises, our Throne Speech commitments, advance the legislative agenda, and keep the work of Government moving as we near the end of this legislative session.

“These decisions are never easy. Serving in Cabinet or as a Junior Minister is demanding work. It places pressure on Ministers, families, teams and colleagues. I want to thank former Senator Crystal Caesar, MP Michael Weeks and MP Wayne Furbert for their service, and I wish them well.

“The work of Government continues.

“Minister Diallo Rabain will assume responsibility for Education. Education Reform remains one of the most important commitments this Government has made. The work ahead includes advancing the long-promised Education Authority legislation which is the subject of thousands of hours of consultation over many years with a wide array of stakeholders. This Government has promised school boards, greater parental and community involvement, and decentralising authority from the Ministry of Education so that our schools are better supported and more responsive. It is a promise that was in our platform, our throne speech – and it must be delivered.

“Ryan Robinson Perinchief will be appointed to the Senate and will serve as Minister of National Security. Public safety requires urgency, discipline and confidence. I expect the Minister to work closely with the Police, Customs, The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, The Royal Bermuda Regiment and other agencies to support safer roads, safer communities, thereby rebuilding. public confidence. Additionally, the Government has long promised cannabis reform, and Minister Perinchief’ s experience and background give me confidence that this will be achieved during this legislative session.

“Rev. Dr. Emily Gail Dill will serve as Minister for the Cabinet Office. Minister Dill’s experience in Human Resources is uniquely suited to this Ministry, as the Government presses ahead with Public Service Reform. Minister Dill’s charge will include advancing electoral reform – which is currently underway. The Minister for the Cabinet Office works closely with me as Premier, and I look forward to sharing some of my knowledge of Government with Minster Dill.

“Minister Alexa Lightbourne will assume responsibility for Digital Transformation in addition to her current responsibilities. This is a synergy with the existing technology items under her brief, and in her time in office she has demonstrated the ability to get things done.

“Good government requires listening to advice. It also requires decisions. We serve in a system of Cabinet government. Ministers bring advice, questions and concerns to the table, but once Cabinet settles the Government’s position, the Government must move forward.

“Fulfilling a Throne Speech commitment is not political expediency. It is delivering on a commitment made by an elected Government to the people of Bermuda. – The public expects us to finish the work we promised. That is what these changes are about.

“I congratulate those sworn in today, thank those who have served, and ask all colleagues to remain focused on delivering for the people of Bermuda.

“Thank you.”