Some new Ministries — and maybe a return for a few familiar faces — are on the agenda for Monday morning as Premier Paula Cox unveils her first Cabinet team.

Ms Cox is said to have stressed the importance of youth development, new technology and empowerment of small businesses, suggesting they could be focal points for new Ministries under her administration.

And the Finance Ministry itself will be split, which would enable Ms Cox to take a treasury portfolio while handing over other finance duties to a colleague.

At her swearing-in ceremony yesterday, the Premier said Government would be reorganised to make it "much more functional and cohesive".

Ms Cox has been keeping her cards very close to her chest, but Progressive Labour Party sources say several backbenchers with Cabinet experience could be expecting a call over the weekend, before Monday's Cabinet swearing-in ceremony.

Names cropping up in speculation include Ashfield DeVent and Wayne Perinchief, both out in the cold under former Premier Ewart Brown, and Patrice Minors, who refused to work in Dr. Brown's team.

Mr. DeVent, who represents 'back-of-town' Pembroke South East and has been a frequent speaker on gang violence, is seen as a possible fit in Social Rehabilitation.

It's thought he could put the controversial issue of decriminalisation of marijuana into the public domain without Ms Cox having to push for it herself.

Straight-talking Mr. Perinchief hinted he'd like to return to Cabinet earlier this week, and sources say he'd be keen to go back to the Culture Ministry where he previously presented the Workforce Equity Bill and called for the outlawing of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

But both moves would depend on Ms Cox replacing her staunch supporter Neletha Butterfield, who holds Culture and Social Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Minors would be unlikely to get back into Health, where Walter Roban appears settled, but sources speculate she could take over Environment from Glenn Blakeney, who many say has been tied to Dr. Brown.

Defeated leadership candidates Terry Lister and Dale Butler have both indicated they would take Cabinet roles.

Mr. Lister has an extensive background in finance but some say he may have burned his bridges by heavily criticising Government's spending record while Ms Cox was Finance Minister. Others say Ms Cox could offer him Finance as an olive branch to prevent rifts developing in the party.

Mr. Butler, well-regarded during his time on Cabinet, says he would work anywhere except Education and has confirmed he would be in interested in Dr. Brown's former Tourism role. Randy Horton is also said to be a contender for Tourism, but he fared badly in Thursday night's Deputy vote.

Wayne Furbert has been touted as a possible Transport Minister, a role he held for the United Bermuda Party in the 1990s. But, while he helped rally strong support for Ms Cox in Hamilton Parish, many in the party say he hasn't yet paid off all his dues since crossing the floor in March.

El James has been praised for his efforts in Education, but some say former educator Lovitta Foggo, the Whip, who clashed with Mr. James over the CedarBridge Academy row this month, is a possible alternative.

Ms Foggo and Michael Weeks are the only two Government MPs without Cabinet experience. Mr. Weeks, who ran for Deputy on Thursday night, is vice president of Dandy Town and is seen as a possibility in some kind of Sports role.

New Deputy Leader Derrick Burgess is highly thought of by many colleagues for his performance in Works and Engineering, where he could remain.

Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva is expected to move away from municipalities, with Mayor of St. George Kenneth Bascome saying yesterday: "We had asked Ms Cox if she would support us speaking with that Minister.

"She advised that we wait until after the premiership election because there was a possibility that there would be some movement of Ministers."

But it's thought Ms Cox could still find a role for the hard-working Mr. DeSilva in her team, despite a widespread belief he was only promoted because of his faithful support for Dr. Brown.

In the Senate, it's thought very likely David Burch will continue as leader, with Attorney General Kim Wilson, a Cox supporter, a reasonable bet to continue.

One possible alternative as AG, Larry Mussenden, is now deemed a distant long-shot as he is said to be concentrating on his new practice and has recently been elected Bermuda Football Association president. Another former AG, Phil Perinchief, is still being mentioned despite playing a key role in Mr. Lister's campaign.

Walton Brown and Thaao Dill are said to be likely to leave the Senate, with Marc Bean definitely out as he challenges for Dr. Brown's old Warwick South Central seat.

A host of fresh faces are described as Upper House contenders, reflecting the surge of young people hoping to force their way into the PLP echelon.

Former chairman David Burt, who's been consistently named as a potential future MP, is seen as a front-runner, as well as Liana Hall, who served as an assistant to Dr. Brown and is the daughter of lawyer Julian Hall.

Party organiser Makai Dickerson is seen as very dedicated but some suggest now would be too soon for him, while Owen Darrell could fall short because of his support for Mr. Lister. Katura Horton-Perinchief, the daughter of Phil Perinchief, is described as bright with a lot of drive but could miss out because her family connections are to the other side.

Lawyers Marc Daniels, Wendell Hollis and Charles Richardson were also mentioned to this newspaper yesterday.