Parliament opens

Four opposition members and one senator took the Oath of Allegiance during the opening of National Assembly on Wednesday.

Concerned Citizens Movement's Hon. Mark Brantley was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition while CCM leader Hon. Vance Amory, People's Action Movement Deputy Hon. Shawn Richards and Hon. Eugene Hamilton were officially sworn in as parliamentarians. Attorney Vincent Byron Jr. was sworn in as Opposition Senator, replacing CCM's Michael Perkins.

The Labour administration members also swore Oaths of Allegiance: Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Deputy PM Hon. Sam Condor, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin, first-timer Hon. Marcella Liburd, newcomer Hon. Glenn Phillip, appointed Minister Hon. Nigel Carty and Attorney General Hon. Patrice Nisbett of the Nevis Reformation Party.

Hon. Richard Skerritt was appointed to the Douglas-led Cabinet in February, however, he resigned his ministerial appointment to assume duties as Deputy Speaker of the House. The PM had initially seconded the nomination by Deputy PM Sam Condor of Opposition Senator Byron for the Deputy Speaker position but Byron rejected the offer.

Various government and private sector officials sat in the parliamentary gallery inside government Headquarters to witness the swearing in of parliamentarians as well as hear the Throne Speech delivered by the Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian.
Parliament was adjourned without any introduction of Bills; however no date was given for its next convening.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Douglas said despite the constitution allowing up to 90 days after a general election to convene the National Assembly, his administration was anxious to get to work tending to maters of State.

"My government has a vision; the voters have given us a mandate and we want to get started," he said.