SO FAR, SO GOOD . . . IN JUST EIGHT DAYS!

Nobody dares to judge the performance of a Government in 8 days! But honesty dictates that Dr Anthony deserves an early round of applause for, at least, a couple of “meta-achievements” in his first week in Office.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE NEW CABINET

Theoretically, the “conceptualization” and "configuration" of the new cabinet are such achievements; no less is the attempt at a rapprochement with the opposition forces.

Those are just early glimpses - perhaps even predictors - of the quality of governance and equally our expectations of the SLP government. Arguably, there seems to be a general perception and perhaps consensus that the architecture of the Cabinet alone inspires confidence and raises our expectations. Dr Anthony has a watershed of young talent and he has boldly and proactively configured his Cabinet in a way that he believes will maximize those talents.

MINISTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The new portfolios of Heritage Creative Industries, Science and Technology, Community Empowerment and Rural Development are profoundly welcomed. They signal a focus-shift to previously untapped and unrecognized areas, particularly Science &Technology which had hitherto been given a relatively “low profile” – almost a de-emphasis - at the level of government.

Among other things, I expect to see the creation and implementation of a scientific and technological policy framework that affords Science and technology their "rightful niche" in a society which is perceived in some quarters to be generally characterized by a non- or pseudo-scientific orientation.

MINISTER FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Science is a creator of wealth; but very little of that wealth is invested into making science better. I see the establishment of Science and Technology as ministerial portfolios as a signal of a paradigm change to improve and elevate those “disciplines”. The moribund scientific society will welcome that initiative.

What impressed me most was Dr Anthony’s honorable attempt to heal the nation’s political wounds via a rapprochement with the political parties and independent candidates. In a stroke of greatness, he “walked across the aisle” and extended a patriotic hand of reconciliation to all the opposition forces. This sublime gesture of unprecedented statesmanship will go down as an honorable act of prime ministerial greatness unrivalled in the history of St. Lucia. If that hand of friendship is accepted, then it may well be the starting point or even a calculus for national reconciliation and unity.

MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The PM has started his new term with small “glimpses” of excellence; let’s hope his team follows his example and treads that path in the performance and management of their portfolios.

We wish the team success!