Stern

PRIME MINISTER Bruce Golding has reappointed Michael Stern as a minister of state.

Stern, who lost his job after he was booted by the court as member of parliament for North West Clarendon, has been returned to the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

The appointment took place on Tuesday and was announced late last evening.

Stern's reappointment comes at a time when the prime minister is talking about a smaller public sector.

Almost two months ago, the prime minister said he would cut the size of his Cabinet as a means of reining in public-sector spending. He also said the entire public sector would suffer similar cuts.

Cutting cabinet

"The leader of the opposition has called for a reduction in the size of government. With that I fully agree," Golding said in a midnight address to Parliament in September.

"And in reducing the size of government, the size of the Cabinet and the number of ministries will also be dealt with," the prime minister said.

Golding has been criticised for the size of his executive, which is made up of 16 Cabinet members, 10 ministers of state and two parliamentary secretaries.

However, Minister of Information, Daryl Vaz, yesterday called the reappointment "a no-brainer, as it was not increasing the size of government", and said Stern had gone back to his substantive position as state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

Resumed duties

Commenting on the quiet nature of Stern's appointment Vaz said:

"It would be ridiculous to suggest Stern was snuck back into the position as he had only resumed duties in the ministry which was disrupted by the by-election."

Contacted yesterday, Stern was defensive about his appointment. "I can't comment, call Mr Samuda," Stern told The Gleaner.

He added: "I have been doing work with the ministry consistently, so call them."

Stern was ousted from Parliament in July as a result of his status as a dual citizen. He had defeated the People's National Party's (PNP) Richard Azan to win the seat in the 2007 general election.

He was returned as MP in September after defeating the National Democratic Movement's Eton Williams in the by-election. The PNP did not contest.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com