Opposition Blasts Barrow’s Cabinet Reshuffle

The Opposition People's United Party has come out swinging against the reshuffle/expansion of the UDP Cabinet presented to the nation by the acknowledged 'smoke and mirrors' master, Prime Minister Barrow, calling the exercise 'no more than a feeble game of political musical chairs, which regrettably will not enhance by one iota, the services rendered to the Belizean people.' In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PUP laments that 'after many months of speculation and uncertainty, and a virtual standstill in Ministerial performance given the premature disclosure by the PM three months ago of his impending shuffle, the actual announcement fails to meet the high expectations of the vast majority of Belizeans citizens and stakeholders.'

In a short press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Barrow conceded to the media and the nation that things had gone wrong in his Cabinet and mistakes had been made. With that admission, Belizeans logically waited for the leader of the nation to announce changes which would deal severely or at least to some extent with those who had been failing in carrying out their responsibilities to the nation and people. But nothing of the sort…with that admission Mr. Barrow moved on breezily to announce some cosmetic changes which, according to a local media house, are 'neither sweeping nor inspiring.' Rather, those changes have accomplished nothing more than to add a burden of hundreds of thousands of dollars to taxpayers already in the grips of an economic recession.

Those taxpayers will now have to find money to pay for a new Minister of Police and Public Security, a position which has been gifted to the UDP Chairman, Doug Singh. Despite being classified as a complete and abject failure by all and sundry, former Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo retains his minister status and will now head the born again Ministry of Defence. Taxpayers will also have to find money to pay for a new Attorney-General, a position granted to the law partner of Elrington, BQ Pitts. Elrington has also retained his Minister status, just with less work.

In its release, the PUP states that 'both the new Minister of Police and the new Attorney General are nothing more than un-elected UDP party insiders. Neither crony brings any special skills to their high profile jobs.' That sentiment has been widely expressed in the days since the appointments. Singh, by all accounts, brings absolutely nothing relevant to the table in what is admittedly a challenging position at a supremely challenging time. The appointment of Pitts is another mystery, since he is not known to possess the skills in civil matters which would be demanded, and indeed is at 'the twilight of his years,' and certainly not seen as the legal bulldog and warrior which Mr. Barrow claims is what is needed in an Attorney-General at this time.

The Opposition concludes by stating – What Belizeans most want is a team and plan to reverse our economic recession, restore law and order and offer opportunity to the thousands of our citizens, including those who will enter the job market this summer. This reshuffle fails to address any of these concerns.

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Source: The Belize Times