Jamaica’s People’s National Party Names New Shadow Cabinet

By: - May 25th, 2011

Jamaican Opposition Leader and former prime minister Portia Simpson-Miller has named a new shadow cabinet, replacing its members with many veterans of her administration in 2007. Peter Phillips, former minister of national security, is now the shadow minister for finance, planning and public service, along with veteran attorney Ronald Thwaites, who is now the education spokesman. “As party president and Leader of the Opposition, I have determined the set of portfolio assignments best suited to respond to the emerging global challenges while stimulating growth and development in a measurable way,” Simpson-Miller said. “The persons assigned to each portfolio reflect a blend of youth and experience.” Caribbean Journal talked to Angela Brown-Burke about the party’s policies earlier this month. [Jamaica Observer]

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CJ Politics

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