Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

BUNTING

THERE WERE no major surprises yesterday as Opposition Leader and People's National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson Miller named her 20-member shadow Cabinet.

Phillip Paulwell made a triumphant return and Peter Bunting was handed the national security portfolio, while Dr Peter Phillips and his key lieutenants, Maxine Henry-Wilson, Fitz Jackson, Dean Peart and Sharon Hay-Webster, were left out.

Council of spokespersons

Twelve prominent Simp-son Miller supporters were named in what the party president described as her Council of Spokespersons, designed to lead the 'progressive agenda' on which the party said it is embarking.

But Simpson Miller rejected suggestions that she was rewarding persons for their support during the bitter presidential contest.

"This is not a joke; it is serious work and I will be assessing from time to time the performance of every member of this team and, who cannot live up to the team, others will take their place," Simpson Miller told journalists at the party's Old Hope Road, St Andrew, headquarters.

She argued that the shadow Cabinet was a good mix of youth and experience designed to show the party's emphasis on rejuvenation and renewal while preparing a cadre of new leaders.

"When you look on the team here, you will see, maybe for the first time assembled by any Government or opposition in Jamaica, so many young bright per-sons," Simpson Miller said.

New faces

Seven members of the team were ministers in the previous PNP government and seven persons were being named to the shadow Cabinet for the first time.

The former government ministers include Dr Omar Davies, Senator A.J. Nicholson, Robert Pickersgill, Anthony Hylton and Roger Clarke.

Only two prominent Phillips supporters, Dr Fenton Ferguson and Wykeham McNeill, retain their places in the shadow cabinet. However, Simpson Miller was adamant that the others were not being punished for backing the loser.

She made special mention of Phillips, who had previously indicated that he would not be interested in a place in the shadow Cabinet.

"If Dr Phillips was prepared to serve at this time, I would have no hesitation of placing him ... Dr Phillips is a very valuable member of the People's National Party and I will not allow anyone to devalue his contributions to the party," added Simpson Miller.

Greatest challenge

She noted that he will be replaced by Bunting, who will take charge of the national security portfolio and electoral matters, while Derrick Kellier will take over as leader of govern-ment business in the House of Representatives.

Bunting, who made his reputation in investment banking, was not daunted by the prospect of taking on shadow responsibilities for an area which many have identified as the greatest challenge facing the country.

He told The Gleaner he plans to seek advice from Phillips, while spending long hours researching and developing policy.

"I welcome the opportunity and I acknowledge that it is a very heavy responsibility. I will be rolling up my sleeves and be as well read and well informed before making specific comments on the portfolio," Bunting said.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller (foreground) leads her new shadow Cabinet, including Robert Pickersgill (immediately behind her), Sandrea Falconer and Phillip Paulwell, into a press briefing at the People's National Party's Old Hope Road, St Andrew, headquarters yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer