Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s new Cabinet underscores continuity over change, analysts Rahym Augustin‑Joseph and Earl Bousquet say, with Augustin‑Joseph citing concentrated authority and Bousquet pointing to a balance of experience and renewal.
At the centre of the arrangement sits Prime Minister Pierre himself, continuing to hold Finance, National Security and Justice, while adding Constituency Development and People Empowerment. It is a heavy concentration of authority, yet one that the prime minister has defended as intentional. “It simply means that this prime minister puts people first,” Pierre said at the unveiling ceremony on February 12.
Augustin-Joseph, Rhodes scholar and political analyst, argues that the structure leaves little ambiguity about responsibility. “Under Westminster, the prime minister is the centre, the middle and essentially everything, and the extent to which he can deliver or not deliver in these areas will cause success or failure of the government,” he said. “In this Cabinet, power is centralised and so too is accountability.”
Veteran political analyst Bousquet, however, views the configuration as a deliberate balance rather than overreach. He notes that the Cabinet reflects “the old and the new”, while reinforcing Pierre’s long-stated position that no minister holds a monopoly over any portfolio. According to Bousquet, the reshuffling of responsibilities signals both continuity and flexibility, allowing ministers to grow while preserving institutional memory.
That logic extends to Dr Ernest Hilaire, who remains the government’s most visible economic driver. Hilaire retains Tourism and Investment and now adds Commerce, bringing several of the country’s most prominent agencies under one umbrella, including Invest Saint Lucia, Export Saint Lucia and Lucian Carnival.
As Deputy Prime Minister, Hilaire continues to shape how Saint Lucia presents itself to the world. In his first term, he revived and expanded the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival and oversaw Lucian Carnival’s growth.
Augustin-Joseph believes the government’s fortunes are closely tied to Hilaire’s performance because of the importance of the tourism industry to the economy.
Bousquet agrees, adding that Hilaire’s administrative experience and collaborative Cabinet environment mean he will not be operating in isolation. He points out that former Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte remains in Cabinet and has already been advising on policy continuity, including preparations for VAT-free initiatives.
Beyond the core, the Cabinet leans heavily on familiarity. Senior figures such as Stephenson King and Alva Baptiste remain in place, reinforcing experience and institutional memory. King, a former prime minister, continues as senior minister, while Baptiste’s retention in External Affairs reflects the need for steady diplomacy amid global uncertainty.
Bousquet argues that King’s reassignment away from Infrastructure reinforces Pierre’s message that experience does not equate to entitlement. “No former prime minister should be questioned on their ability to lead any ministry,” he said, describing the change as a reaffirmation of collective responsibility rather than demotion.
Infrastructure now falls to Shawn Edward, a move that has drawn scrutiny. Under Section 60 of the Constitution, however, there is no requirement that ministers possess technical experience in their assigned portfolios.
Augustin-Joseph suggests the reassignment acknowledges public criticism surrounding infrastructure delivery. “The passing of the baton to Hon. Shawn Edward seems intended to address some of these longstanding issues,” he said.
Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation are now consolidated under Kenson Casimir, who also represents the country’s largest constituency. The expanded portfolio has sparked public debate about workload and capacity.
“God help that man,” one viral tweet read.
While Augustin-Joseph believes the balancing act will be difficult, Bousquet takes a more measured view. He argues that Casimir’s electoral success and past performance demonstrate resilience. “If he could overcome the challenges of winning and managing the largest constituency, then it is reasonable to give him the opportunity to meet this new test,” Bousquet said, adding that ministers should ultimately be judged by performance, not perception.
The appointment generating the widest public reaction is Lisa Jawahir’s elevation to Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Climate Change. Critics have questioned her background, but Bousquet dismisses the notion that formal training alone determines competence. He notes that Jawahir has worked on regional parliamentary platforms addressing food security and climate change and lives within agricultural communities.
“Nobody is trained to be a prime minister or a president,” Bousquet said. “People should be measured by how they perform, not by assumptions about what they cannot do.”
Her appointment also marks a historic first for Saint Lucia, with Jawahir becoming the country’s first female Minister of Agriculture, a move Bousquet describes as part of a broader inclusion strategy that has expanded women’s representation in both Cabinet and Senate.
Other shifts signal a focus on social stability. The creation of a Conflict Resolution portfolio under former police officer Jeremiah Norbert reflects rising concern over crime and social cohesion. Emma Hippolyte’s expanded ministry uniting equity, labour and social justice centralises responsibility for worker protection and fairness, though analysts note these are portfolios where success is harder to quantify.
Danny Butcher joins the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Early Childhood, Continuing and Special Education and Digital Transformation, supporting reform at the foundational level. Keithson Charles now heads Physical Development and Public Utilities, while John Paul Estephane joins Hilaire in advancing commerce, tourism, investment and culture.
Senator Shanda Harracksingh’s placement in the Office of the Prime Minister adds flexibility, positioning her as a policy resource.
Overall, analysts agree this Cabinet is about delivery. Augustin-Joseph describes it as “more continuity than change”, while Bousquet frames it as a forward-looking team tasked with fulfilling the promises made in the manifestos of the SLP and its independent affiliates.
“All in all,” Bousquet said, “this is a Cabinet appointed to deliver – not just for today, but for the future.”
