The United Alliance government has been sworn in, with political veteran Reuben T Meade returning to office as Montserrat’s new premier.
Meade will act as Minister of Finance, Local Government Immigration, Regional Affairs, Culture, Tourism, Economic Management, Trade, Information Communication and Digital Transformation.
Veronica Dorsett-Hector is the new deputy premier and Minister of Infrastructure, Labour, Transportation, Energy and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
John P Osborne has been assigned the role of Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment and Sports.
And Dr Ingrid Buffonge is Minister of Education, Health, Social Services and Youth Affairs.
Paul Lewis, leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), was sworn also in again as leader of the official opposition.
The final elected member of the United Alliance, Dwayne Hixon will be sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment and Sports at a later date.
A credit to Montserrat
In a brief ceremony at Montserrat Cultural Centre at 5pm on Friday, 25 October, the premier, his three government ministers and opposition leader made their official affirmations before attendees.
The event included the renditions of the national anthem and Montserrat’s territorial song, speeches and a prayer from Pastor Simon Peter Buffonge.
Before they were sworn in, Governor Sarah Tucker congratulated the United Alliance party on gaining five seats in the general election and a clear majority to form Montserrat’s new government.
“The people of Montserrat have elected you as their government, and I look forward to working with you and supporting you for the continued betterment of Montserrat,” she said.
She went on to congratulate Lewis and his two fellow members of the PDM as well as Crenston Buffonge of the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) party who also won seats in parliament.
“And finally to all the candidates that put themselves forward and ran campaigns, tough campaigns, my congratulations,” the governor added.
“It is a credit to Montserrat that so many people have so much passion for the island, and for its people, that they are willing to step forward and stand for election, to lead and support the country.”
Honesty and compassion
After making his affirmation, the new premier took to the podium to promise that the new government will be “for the people”, adding: “You will never hear us saying ‘my government’.”
“We pledge to serve you honestly and with compassion,” he said.
Meade explained that part of his job is to continue training his team as they continue to grow in their political lives, and said he is extremely proud of their development over the past six months.
He said the role of deputy premier will be rotating, “allowing each of them to gather the experience they need to serve you, the people of Montserrat”.
The premier asked the public to reach out to the party at their office in St John’s if they have an issue and allow the government to solve it.
He addressed the civil servants and said that there is a lot of work to be done, stressing that the government is at the beginning of a budget cycle and must prepare appropriately.
From 28 October, the premier and ministers plan to visit every government ministry together, and on 29 October will meet with permanent secretaries to go over plans and problems.
Watch the ceremony in full below:
Reuben T Meade experienced a health scare at the close of the ceremony but is doing well following an overnight visit to Glendon Hospital.
The premier, aged 70, and several of his new government had been awake until past 5am that same morning while the general election votes were counted and results announced.
