Instead the Prime Minister said he had to consolidate the portfolios. However, he still holds the traditional role as minister for finance and economic affairs. However the announcement of the new cabinet marked a fundamental shift in the configuration of some ministerial portfolios. For example Deputy Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre is the Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport.

Minister for Public Service, former Cabinet Secretary, and Senator Dr. James Fletcher will be tasked with telecommunications which was synonymous with works. He will also oversee information broadcasting and sustainable development in addition to science and technology.

The Ministry of Tourism with Choiseul/Saltibus Lorne Theophilus MPat the helm has broken with convention with the addition of the creative industries- touted as an emerging sector by the SLP. As expected many of the parliamentarians were assigned Ministries that match their expertise with former NIC Director and Gros Islet MP Emma Hippolyte in charge of the Ministry of Commerce.

Hippolyte will be assisted by Parliamentary Secretary, Senator Dr. Ubaldus Raymond. Laborie MP Alva Baptiste who will articulate the country’s foreign policy as the Minister for External Affairs stressed on the importance of diplomacy.

There were some surprises with Anse La Raye/ Canaries MP Dr. Desmond “Pep” Long viewed as a shoo in for the role as Health Minister excluded from the Cabinet. The post was assigned to Babonneau MP Alvina Reynolds. Long who could serve as Deputy Speaker sought to assuage disappointed supporters saying the mandate of the people in a parliamentary democracy must be conducted with dignity and professionalism.

Castries South MP Dr. Robert Lewis was sworn in as Minister for Education, community activist Shawn Edward is the Youth and Sports Minister, Moses Jn Baptiste will fill the post of Minister for Agriculture, and Soufriere MP Harold Dalson has been tasked with the job of Minister for Social Transformation. Attorney Stanley Felix who was appointed a senator is the Minister for Physical Development and Housing with another member of the Upper House and former Attorney General Victor Phillip Lacobiniere responsible for National Security and Legal Affairs. Although Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony did not appoint an Attorney General on Tuesday he says a public officer will assume the essential role in government.

Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony says his party will meet with its legal advisors shortly to pursue filing a petition to challenge the election results in at least two constituencies. On Monday – UWP Leader Stephenson King stated his party was looking into filing a similar petition in Babonneau and Gros-Islet. The Official Election results were completed on Thursday when the Gros-Islet constituency was declared won by SLP Emma

Hippolyte. Dr Anthony says it is within the rights of the UWP to challenge as the SLP intends to do. The SLP might also file a similar petition in the seat currently represented by UWP Edmund Estephane. He defeated two other opponents including SLP Albert Fregis to win a second mandate in Dennery South.
Dr Anthony says while an appeal in that seat may not be as clear as the other two – it does bear a second look.

The Electoral Act allows 21 days for appeals to be filed against the official results. The ruling SLP won the November 28th general election 11 seats to 6.

Dr James Fletcher was appointed a Senator and Minister of the Public Service, Information and Broadcasting, Science and Technology, Sustainable Development, the Environment and Energy. Dr Fletcher is former Cabinet Secretary with a solid background in sustainable development. He spoke minutes after he was sworn in as a member of Cabinet – express his eagerness to get down to business.

His priorities he says will be to get the Public Sector Transformation Agenda back on track in the hope of modernizing the Public Service. Dr Fletcher says the areas of sustainable development and energy also hold great promise. He says with the caliber of people in the Public Service he is confident he can make great headway in all his portfolios. He also indicated his intent to get up to speed with Public sector negotiations.

Dr James Fletcher is one of four Senators appointed by the Government on Tuesday. Former Attorney General Victor Phillip La Corbiniere who holds the portfolios of Legal affairs, Home Affairs and National Security is another as is Stanley Felix who has been given the portfolios of Housing and Physical Development.

He says his Ministry will use its resources to tap into the potential of young people through the Creative Industries. With American Airlines filing for bankruptcy protection and REDjet on Tuesday formally introduced to the Saint Lucian market – the Minister naturally has airlift on the brain. He says creative methods will need to be employed to deal with a perennial and necessary part of his Ministry.

Lorne Theophilus is the Choiseul MP. He defeated former External Affairs Minister and UWP incumbent Rufus Bousquet in last week’s general election.

Leader of the United Workers Party Stephenson King is skeptical about Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony’s overtures of reconciliation in the aftermath of the heated election campaign. King remains incredulous despite the Prime Minister’s calls during his swearing in ceremony for an end to the partisan bickering after the keenly contested general election. He has rejected the Prime Minster’s olive branch casting doubt on the motives of

the new government leader’s plea for unity and consensus on national issues.The Castries North MP cites what he says was a campaign of negative personal attacks for his skepticism. He alleges the SLP has already commenced the victimization of supporters of the United Workers Party; a practice he claims was discouraged by his administration which was aware of the existence of followers of the SLP within the halls of government. King argues historically the Labor Party government has been less than compassionate to the opposition.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony says despite the UWP Leader’s refusal to accept his overtures he will continue to engage Stephenson King on issues of national importance. Speaking hours after the swearing in of his Cabinet - Dr. Anthony maintained there is no ulterior motive and given the enormity of the challenges facing the country dialogue among the leaders is imperative.

After taking the oath of office of Prime Minister at Government House last week, Dr. Kenny Anthony said no one would endure what he did in opposition vowing the UWP’s Leader would be afforded respect as a former Prime Minister. Sources tell HTS news in the wake of the election Prime Minister Dr. Anthony called the UWP leader offering him the services of the state vehicle and security detail. But the UWP claims the actions in the early stages of the Dr. Kenny Anthony administration has left a lasting and unflattering impression.   

Nyssa Pierre is the Communications Manager for Redjet – the new Caribbean airline she says is excited to announce the launch of low fares for St Lucia. Pierre says RedJet is revolutionizing air travel in the region through its now famously low fares - starting at $9.99 US. She says after receiving all licenses required to fly to St Lucia the airline will be flying from 16th December in time for the Christmas and New Year break.

Pierre says the airline’s low cost fares are not a gimmick. She says REDJet is able to operate at a low cost for many reasons including its small and efficient office and its economy flights. Pierre says REDjet’s reliable, comfortable and affordable service will create new opportunities for the island’s tourism sector, for students studying abroad, for small businesses to develop opportunities in new markets and of course enabling people to visit friends and relatives at home and abroad as well of course to make an affordable vacation in Barbados.

Juliana Alfred has been elected president of the Saint Lucia crisis centre at the annual general meeting of the organization on Saturday. The AGM brought its membership together to discuss the many advocacy programs undertaken by the centre over the past few years including counseling and education initiatives. Alfred says the crisis centre intends to step up its advocacy work through the establishment of a youth arm.

During the annual general meeting the crisis centre also hosted a panel discussion on domestic violence.
Alfred says the discussion highlighted the negative fall out for children who witness abuse first hand in the house hold.

The new leadership of the Saint Lucia crisis centre will also push for the strengthening of legislation on domestic violence on the island. Alfred indicates that some of the existing laws are ineffective and need to be revised. 

Big Boys Toys, a transportation Expo aimed at educating and stimulating interest in transportation was launched last week.    The project which is the brainchild of Radio 100 personality, Russel Lake was officially launched at the Rex St. Lucian Hotel on Saturday.

One of the Sponsors of the event, Sol St. Lucia took the opportunity to highlight the significance of its Shell VP power product.

JO Motors who were also present at the Official launch pointed out the Big Boys Toys Initiative come on the heels of JQ motors celebration of some of its top products. Big Boys Toys will be held on Sunday at the Beausejour Grounds. The exhibition will feature a number of top vehicles such as BMW’s, remote control transportation as well as helicopters.  An event for the entire family – the exhibition will also feature a sound clash, food and drink as well as several family events.