Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, indicated early in December last year that he was contemplating a reshuffle of his Cabinet. He hinted that the reshuffle would occur in late December or early January 2023.
Well, it’s early January 2023, and a Cabinet reshuffle looms large from all indications. So, Jamaica’s best newspaper took to the streets to get the people’s opinion on who should get the boot and who should be a part of the next Cabinet.
One woman in Half-Way-Tree, the Capital of St Andrew, gave her name as Jones said.
“The Minister of Finance [Nigel Clarke] nuh too bad. Minister of Culture [Olivia Grange], mi think she can stay weh she deh. Christopher Tufton [minister of health and wellness], me woulda give him a chance because during the pandemic, I think he has done a great job,”
Jones
Another woman, who is said to be in her 50s but did not wish to give her name, gave Health Minister Christopher Tufton the thumbs up. She said:
“To me [Christopher] Tufton better than the rest, but the rest can go siddung caah mi nuh see dem a do nothing.” Asked why she was impressed with Tufton, she explained, “Mi never vote enuh, but yuh see how him work and tell we what going on.”
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Michelle Davis, an accounting clerk, also gave Dr. Christopher Tufton the thumbs up.
“I see where he has struggled, but he stands up strong and doesn’t hide from media people.”
Michelle Davis
A Respondent named Shawn gave numerous members of the Cabinet the thumbs-up. But he was adamant that Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang and Minister of Health and Wellness Christopher Tufton must go.
“A jus dem two deh me feel like naah perform dem task, but me alright with di rest so far. Horace Chang needs fi go one side,” concluded Shawn.
Shawn
Annette from Cross Roads wants to see the back of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. She said: “Me nuh know weh dem a do. Dem nuh care nothing ’bout poor people. Minister of health him, mi can’t bear fi hear him pon my radio.”
There you have it. The people have spoken.