Cabinet Reshuffle?

Yesterday there was a Ceremonial Opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament. It is quite interesting because a ceremonial opening is usually held at the beginning of Parliament, which is after a general election, not for the opening of a Session. It makes me wonder what our Prime Minister is up to and what prompted him to have this gala opening at such an unusual time. I am wondering if he is possibly going to announce a Cabinet reshuffle maybe today at the Cabinet Press Conference or at the next sitting of the House of Representatives. I have already indicated my opinion on this in a previous post, so let’s see what happens in the next few days.

What do you think our Prime Minister is up to?

Why is Martin Joseph still Minister of National Security?

November 2009 would make it six years that Martin Joseph has been Minister of National Security. Why? Isn’t there someone else in the PNM administration that could take up this portfolio? Upon closer inspection the options are limited. The job of Minister of National Security is a difficult one. The Ministry of National Security includes Police, Fire, Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Immigration, ODPM, National Drug Council, Citizen’s Security Programme, Forensic Science Centre, Prison, Cadets, SAUTT and a few other intelligence agencies. So the Minister has to oversee all these agencies, divisions and departments. The Ministry of National Security currently has a Minister of State, Donna Cox. She is responsible for the Fire Service, Prison Service, ODPM, and Youth programmes. While this may be noble, if anything goes wrong with any of the units under her purview the media and citizens still hold Martin Joseph accountable for the mishap, therefore ultimately he is responsible.

In terms of the options for Minister of National Security within the PNM administration I think there are two. Colm Imbert and Conrad Enil. My rationale is simple, the other Ministers are just too new to the PNM. The portfolio of Minister of National Security is a powerful one that requires a certain amount of political maturity. The Minister would also be privy to pertinent information that could make or break the PNM. Of the two available options Conrad Enil is my pick simply because I personally don’t like Colm. Not to mention Enil is a member of the National Security Council and a handover to him would be smooth as he would have been aware of a number of the issues being faced by the Ministry.

That being said, I am predicting, praying, hoping and wishing for a Cabinet reshuffle after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November. I think this would be an appropriate time because of the ongoing security arrangements for the event should not be disrupted by a ministerial change. I do not expect this change to lead to a significant reduction in crime and violence in the country. But just to give somebody else in the PNM administration some pressure. Let’s give uncle Martin a rest, because it is not easy to wake up every morning knowing you doing your best and ignorant Trinis talking a pile.

In the lineup of Government Ministers, who is your pick for the next Minister of National Security?