Parliamentary Secretary, Merrick Richardson
Premier Dr Ellis Webster has announced changes to his Cabinet and Ministerial portfolios, with immediate effect.
Following the resignation of Minister Kyle Hodge in protest against the GST’s implementation, former Parliamentary Secretary, Quincia Gumbs-Marie, has been appointed to serve in Cabinet as Minister of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment. Also included in her responsibilities will be Renewable Energy Development.
With the reappointment of Ms Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers as Minister of Social Development and Education, the responsibility for Creative Industries will be added to her portfolio.
Merrick Richardson was a Ministerial Assistant in the Ministry of Social Development, but has now been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for sports and probation. He will also assist Minister Gumbs-Marie with some of the responsibilities in the Ministry of Sustainability and Innovation.
Kenneth Hodge will remain as Minister of Home Affairs, and Haydn Hughes will continue as Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism. Trade and Economic Development responsibilities will now fall under the Ministry of Finance, led by Premier Dr Ellis Webster.
Premier Webster noted: “These changes in Cabinet ought to improve the capacity and efficiency of the government to effectively meet the tasks ahead. I wish to ensure fellow Anguillians that this administration will continue to dialogue with the people and with all sectors, will continue to listen, will continue to consult with you, will continue to deliver, will continue to lead.”
Dr Webster further described the reshuffle of the Cabinet as a “reset for government.”
He said: “We have not been perfect; we have made mistakes. We are all human and with God’s help we know that we can carry on and make this work.
“We have made certain commitments to the Honourable Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers that we will work on more party structure, work on the people around us so that we can continue to have that ‘holding environment’ as she describes it – where we have people that buffer us so that we can get the message out, understand the people and what they want – how we react to them and how we lead on their behalf.”
