The Cabinet reshuffle is going to have devastating consequences for the government. It seems that not a lot of thought was put into the changes that were made.

The national security change was expected but the replacement would have surprised most observers. There is a strong bond between Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and Desmond McKenzie and this West Kingston alliance will be grumbling about 'Babsy's' demotion and McKenzie's lack of promotion. This situation is potentially problematic for Golding in his constituency.

The Young Turks, comprising Daryl Vaz, James Robertson and Andrew Holness, will have their tails up like proud peacocks and the old guard will feel threatened that they will be sidelined.

The promotion of Daryl to a senior position is a timely one and he has shown the willingness to get things done. Right now, he has the strongest position in the Cabinet and he will be showing up the shortcomings of many persons who did not communicate the government's policies as they should. That may cause cliques to be formed within the Cabinet.

Interesting times ahead

The issue of Clive Mullings is the one that will be giving Golding and the JLP many sleepless nights. The fact that he is a former member of the PNP and did not get along too well with members of the JLP (one of his firings did not go down too well within the financing arm of the party) will definitely make him feel like an outcast.

The junior ministers will not be left undone - James Robertson will have as his deputy the feisty Laurie Broderick who may not see eye to eye with him; Bobby Montaque will feel that he has shown great managerial skill and should have been rewarded for his campaign expertise in the Vaz by-election.

There are interesting times ahead and Golding will have to pull out all the charm he has to keep the party together.

He does not have a lot of room to manoeuvre and he has taken great risk with these Cabinet changes.

I am etc

Shawn Johnson

jamaicanshawn@yahoo.com