New MP Wayne Caines and new senator Kathy Simmons were handed frontline portfolios as the Progressive Labour Party swore in its Cabinet team yesterday.

Mr Caines, one of the PLP’s big winners in Tuesday night’s General Election, gets the national security job, while Ms Simmons, who pushed Jeff Baron close in a seat considered One Bermuda Alliance territory, is the new Attorney-General, having been also appointed to the Senate.

David Burt, the Premier, was one of five members appointed into Cabinet for the first time, along with Walton Brown, Diallo Rabain, Jamahl Simmons and Lovitta Foggo.

There were returns to Cabinet for Walter Roban, Kim Wilson, Colonel David Burch and Zane DeSilva, all of whom served under the previous PLP administration.

Meanwhile, Jason Hayward, the president of the Bermuda Public Services Union, is among the new appointments to the Senate.

With 11 members, the Cabinet is one fewer than the last under the OBA, with Mr Burt explaining fiscal responsibility must “start at the top”.

Mr Burt will take on the finance portfolio in addition to his responsibilities as premier.

Mr Brown takes the home affairs job which proved a contentious position for the OBA, while Colonel Burch returns to one of his former roles in public works.

Mr Rabain becomes the thirteenth education minister in 19 years, while Ms Foggo, a long-serving whip for the PLP but never in Cabinet before, takes on government reform.

Party deputy leader Mr Roban gets transport, Ms Wilson has health and Mr DeSilva has social development and sport.

Ms Simmons and Mr Hayward are joined in the Senate by three candidates from Tuesday’s election: former accountant-general Anthony Richardson, party stalwart Vance Campbell and financial controller Crystal Caesar.

Mr Burt said in his speech: “The new Cabinet comprises a fusion of youth and experience and we are ready to chart a new course for Bermuda.

“We have reduced the size of Cabinet to 11. I recognise that fiscal responsibility must start at the top.

“I recognise that we have a lot of challenges ahead as we begin governing our island. However, there are many opportunities where we can have a strong and positive influence impacting the lives of all Bermudians.

“Tomorrow, we will begin to address the priorities we outlined in our platform for a better and fairer Bermuda.

“In the coming days, you will hear from your new government ministers as we begin to make Bermuda better for Bermuda’s working families.

“Our pledge to the people of Bermuda is simple: we will be an open and transparent government, we will listen to all segments of society and we will communicate with you regularly.

“Bermuda works best when we work together and this Government will work together to build a Bermuda that will provide a better future for all Bermudians. Our work starts now.”

The appointments were:

David Burt: Premier and Finance

Walter Roban: Deputy leader, and Transport and Regulatory Affairs

Kathy Simmons: Attorney-General and Legal Affairs

Walton Brown: Home Affairs

Kim Wilson: Health

Colonel David Burch: Public Works

Wayne Caines: National Security

Zane DeSilva: Social Development and Sport

Diallo Rabain: Education

Jamahl Simmons: Economic Development and Tourism

Lovitta Foggo: Government Reform

Senate

Kathy Simmons

Anthony Richardson

Jason Hayward

Vance Campbell

Crystal Caesar