The fresh deck of ministers in the new One Bermuda Alliance Cabinet includes a promotion for Jeff Baron and a new portfolio for Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Bascome, now Junior Minister for Tourism, said he looked forward to following through on his good working relationship with Bill Hanbury, the CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The St George’s MP takes on the role at the end of a week with long-awaited news of fresh cruise services coming to the Olde Towne.

“I have had a passion for tourism for the last 40 years — I believe Mr Fahy and I will create a dynamic team,” Mr Bascome told The Royal Gazette, referring to the switch of Michael Fahy from Home Affairs over to tourism and transport.

Mr Bascome said he looked forward to “being in the room and pushing” for St George’s tourism, warning that St George’s has seen “a lot of promises that have fallen through” over the years.

Mr Fahy, he said, is “a very strong-willed person, but I believe I have a little more hand in the product itself”.

Jeff Baron, assuming the portfolio of National Security after three years as junior minister, was praised by Michael Dunkley as bringing experience in the police and private security, along with his service as a peacekeeper for the United Nations.

“My top priority will be establishing my own tempo and being really active for the ministry,” Senator Baron said. Legislative priorities would include following through on initiatives promised in last November’s Throne Speech.

“I have been eyewitness to some very successful initiatives over the last three years,” he added. “I look forward to advancing more of them.”

Ms Gordon-Pamplin, as a new Minister of Home Affairs who has already held three portfolios in the OBA Cabinet, took a relaxed view of immigration as “the hot seat”.

“I’ve always been in the hot seat, in health, in public works and in community, culture and sport,” she said. “I’ve been in the hot seat ever since we became the Government.

“In terms of priorities, I have not yet had to chance to come fully to grips with it — give me a week and I’ll have a different answer. I am humbled to have the faith and confidence of the Premier for me to stay in Cabinet, and I’m always willing to serve the people of Bermuda in whatever I am doing.”