Two sudden resignations from Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s government on Tuesday has prompted a major reshuffling of the cabinet with one of those departing hinting at political differences with the leadership.
Marsha Caddle said she was quitting as industry and technology minister almost immediately because “when principles do not align, a minister has a duty to resign, so the will and work of the government can be done.”
Just hours after Caddle’s announcement, Crime Prevention Minister Corey Lane said he was leaving to spend more time with his family, prompting Mottley to arrange a news conference to announce a reshuffle of the pack of ministers available to serve. The governing Barbados Labor Party (BLP) has won all 30 seats in the past two general elections and dominates the local political scene. Caddle has pledged to remain a loyal BLP supporter but she has been known to have been critical of government policies while she was a backbencher a few years ago.
Commenting on the changes, Political Scientist Devaron Bruce described Caddle as always being independent, noting that “she has really brought to bear that critical eye and independence, and we have seen now, yet again, her willingness to break with the government, given, as she mentioned, her philosophical differences regarding herself and the ministry, and I assume, the entire cabinet and the prime minister of Barbados,” the Today online publication quoted him as saying.
“I am proud of the work I have led in the ministry over these 14 months, and of which you will hopefully learn during these ongoing estimates, including the investments in cybersecurity that have been needed, and giving GovTech the resources to begin to build a real tech ecosystem for digital services and transformation. I think I’ve left a good wicket for this sector to be successful, Caddle said in a statement.”
Announcing the adjustments, PM Mottley identified Kay McConney as the minister of economic affairs and investment while senator Chad Blackman will now serve as minister of education, technological and vocational training, succeeding Kay McConney.
Sandra Husbands will become the minister of training and tertiary education. And given the request by Caddle to also be relieved of her duties (on Tuesday), Mr. Jonathan Reid, formerly chief of staff in the prime minister’s office, has been appointed minister of Innovation, industry, science and technology,” the PM stated.
