Sanctus – DLP’s spokesperson on Women, Deputy Ann Ramirez, today declared at a campaign rally that, if elected, the Democratic Left Party would likely enlarge the cabinet to ensure a more inclusive, and gender equal, representation of Sanctarians in government. The move, later clarified by the party press office, is not yet confirmed, but is under active consideration by party leader, Deputy Charlene Hendry.
Sources within the DLP have further expanded on this mooted move by saying Hendry is considering abolishing all junior ministries, or assistant secretaries, and instead enlarging the cabinet for the first time in the State’s history. Since foundation, the cabinet has been consisted of the Prime Minister plus 11 departments, though the names and functions of the departments have changed over the years. The same sources and indicated that Hendry is considering bringing the number of departments up to at least 16 or 17.
The move would be controversial, not least because of the costs involved, but because previous sweeping changes by the Kindle administration were called “unnecessary” by the DLP’s then Reform spokesperson Barney Collins. But it has been suggested in recent polling that the public would prefer more focused government, even if it meant enlargement.
Commentators don’t believe that this will become a major campaign issue with some going so far as to posit that the majority of people’s minds are made up and that, simply, after 18 years of Sanctarian Conservative Party rule, there is no way the public will gift the SCP with another 5 years.
Also today, the DLP confirmed that no sitting Senator would be permitted to attempt to gain the party’s nomination to run for a House seat, but this Paper’s thorough research in the matter suggested no DLP Senator wished to do so.
SARAH PLEDYS, Political Editor
