Senators put on two-year watch

The three newly appointed Government Senators – Rochelle Forde, Ronald Marks and Richard Williams – have been given two-and-a-half years to prove themselves.

This was disclosed by Minister of Social Development, Mike Browne on Tuesday, January 10, and later confirmed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.{{more}}

We told the senators “you have two and a half years to prove yourselves.” If they do that they would be asked to stay on,” said Dr. Gonsalves last Tuesday evening.

Dr. Gonsalves pointed out that more opportunities could arise for other young persons to become senators, and he used the opportunity to refer to the Unity Labour Party’s days in Opposition when the senatorial portfolios were rotated.

On December 29, the prime minister expressed thanks to the three young lawyers who have been establishing themselves in the Vincentian society for consenting to serve as senators. He also mused at the fact that like him, the three senators’ names start with the letter R.

At the swearing in, Dr. Gonsalves, said the senators have distinguished themselves as lawyers.

He also noted that the senators all come from patriotic families who after several generations of hard work have risen to positions of esteem.

Julian Francis, General Secretary of the Unity Labour Party was also reinstated as the fourth Government Senator and given a ministerial portfolio.

Dr. Gonsalves said the youthful senators chosen to serve is a signal that the Government is preparing for the next generation.

“It’s one of the obligations of preparation for a transition to prevent a crisis of leadership. It is one I would advise others to follow,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

Before his speech ended he had also used the opportunity to welcome the Opposition New Democratic Party’s senators, St.Claire Leacock and Daniel Cummings to the House of Assembly. This is Leacock’s second stint as an Opposition Senator.