Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean has promoted backbench MP Lovitta Foggo to his Shadow Cabinet in a shuffle of his front bench team.

Parliamentary whip Ms Foggo has been appointed Shadow Education Minister, taking over from Walton Brown, who now heads up the Immigration and External Affairs portfolio.

Shadow Attorney General Kim Wilson shifts to Health, replacing Zane DeSilva, who will now be the Opposition’s spokesman on Tourism. That post was held by Wayne Furbert, who moves to Economic Development. Lawyer Michael Scott is the new Shadow Attorney General, and is replaced at Public Safety by Walter Roban.

Dennis Lister replaces former union leader Derrick Burgess at Public Works. Mr Burgess will now cover Labour Relations and Seniors.

At a press conference this morning, Mr Bean said Ms Foggo’s promotion “is a testament to the wealth of talent within our party”.

“In education there is a need, not just for accountability but for leadership and a vision that sees our young people as a priority, not a problem,” he said.

“Lovitta Foggo has shown that she will fight for the people of St. David’s and now she brings that same fighting spirit to stand up for Bermuda’s students and their parents as Shadow Education Minister.”

Mr Bean said his party was packed with talented and hard-working individuals who were each able to deal with a multiple of issues, while the new line-up would “align our strengths” and give the Opposition “a new energy”.

“There is a renewed spirit in our community — a spirit that says that Bermudians will not be content to be second class citizens in their own country,” Mr Bean said.

“A spirit that says the old ideas that have failed us, must be cast aside and replaced with new ideas and new approaches to the problems of today.

“Bermuda is changing. Times change and so must we. To that end, I am determined to field a Shadow Cabinet that reflects Bermuda as it is and with the vision to carry the issues of the people forward.

“The team I have unveiled today, represents the first of a series of announcements that will provide the public with a clearer picture of the alternative solution we offer to the OBA. We stand united, we stand committed, and we are ready to govern.”

The new Shadow Cabinet.

Labour Relations and Seniors: Derrick Burgess (from Public Works).

Public Works: Dennis Lister (from Quangos).

Education: Lovitta Foggo (new to Cabinet).

Immigration and External Affairs: Walton Brown (from Education).

Tourism: Zane DeSilva (from Health).

Economic Development: Wayne Furbert (from Tourism).

Environment: Glenn Blakeney (from Economic Development).

Health: Kim Wilson (from Attorney General).

Shadow Attorney General: Michael Scott (from Public Safety).

Public Safety: Walter Roban (from Home Affairs).

Human Affairs: Rolfe Commissiong (from Workforce Development).

Finance: David Burt (unchanged).

Transport: Lawrence Scott (unchanged).

Community and Cultural Affairs: Michael Weeks (unchanged).