AILING PRIME MINISTER David Thompson last night reshuffled his Cabinet placing the critical job of Minister of Finance in the hands of Chris Sinckler.
However, the move triggered rumblings among some members of the Cabinet and there were indications that Dr David Estwick, former Minister of Economic Affairs, now switched to the Ministry of Agriculture, was considering his options.
Some Members of Parliament who spoke to the WEEKEND NATION armed with the knowledge of what was about to be announced, said they were against some of the shifts – even though they agreed Sinckler had the requisite leadership qualities.
“The proposed changes have not been conveyed to us; and I believe the situation is not being handled as well as it could be,” said one MP.
It was a sentiment expressed by a few others who felt that former Minister of Economic Affairs Estwick was the best person to assume the responsibility of Minister of Finance, once the ailing Thompson had relinquished that responsibility.
Estwick is expected to make his position known at a Press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today. No further comment was offered when a WEEKEND NATION team spoke to him an hour after Thompson’s statement.
The former Minister of Economic Affairs and Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce is now Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Industry and Small Business Development.
Sinckler, former Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development who turns 43 today, is now Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.
Political analysts indicated that Sinckler’s elevation was a clear indication he was being groomed as the future leader of the country; and a recently conducted NATION/Cadres poll indeed showed that he was the most popular Democratic Labour Party (DLP) politician to lead the country after Thompson.
It was the second time in six months that Thompson, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two months ago, has reshuffled his Cabinet, with there being seven portfolio changes this time around. They take effect on Monday.
In making the announcement in a nationally broadcast pre-recorded audio statement last night, Thompson acknowledged that his “reduced physical capacity” had “placed a strain” on his ability to serve the country as he would wish to, “particularly in these challenging economic times”.
He added: “On this occasion I have chosen not to speak to you by live telecast. The nature of my medical treatment has occasioned obvious weight loss. I would rather that you get the portent of my message rather than the picture; and be concerned about the message, not the medium.
“While we cannot control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to what happens to us. In that sense I wish to assure you that my family and I are determined to battle this illness and are fully cooperating with the medical teams here and in New York to ensure that all that’s humanly possible is done to arrest and reverse this condition, while humbly recognising that ultimately the will of God will prevail.”
He then thanked Barbadians for their continued prayers.
“May God bless Barbados and may grace and peace be multiplied unto all Barbadians,” he said.
