Going for the luxury boat

1. While some of his colleagues went in for new and expensive SUVs, to underline their new status, he went in for a new luxury boat. That move did not go down well within party circles, it caused him to be called in and told to curb his enthusiasm, as it was said his acquisition could put the party in a bad light.

Without 'approval'

2. His friends now call him the US$1 million man, as that is the pay-off he, reportedly, accepted for his role in securing the much needed 'approval'. The minister, we are told, signed off on the approval without the benefit of the due diligence report, which would have triggered some warning signs.

Asked to sign death warrant

3.It seems that some within the ranks of the Opposition want that party to entertain talks with the Government that would entail the Opposition not contesting the legal challenges that some think it is legally bound to execute. In return, the Government would continue in power for a five-year term. The only problem with that scenario is that it is asking the Opposition Leader to sign her own political death warrant, by facilitating the JLP's survival as a government, while opening her up to being challenged for her role as party leader, and thus guaranteeing a win for both the JLP and her opponents within her own ranks!

Election deadline

4.Pundits say if a general election is to be held, it has to be held between now and early July, as this period gives the JLP its best window of opportunity. Mid to late July, into August, will be the onset of the summer of discontent, as by then the new cost of oil will kick in and with that a new set of spiralling price increases across the board. That could make the JLP's situation even more untenable. So, the time to act is now.

"Out" them!

5.The BBC interview is causing quite a stir, within and outside the party, not to mention within the gay community. While some in the gay community are advocating the "outing" of some, others are advocating a more tolerant approach. Whatever the action, it seems that some closet doors are now being firmly sealed.

He's off the list

6.All the talk about fresh elections has definitely placed the PNP on election alert. In preparing itself to answer the tolling of the bell, talk is that the son of the defeated leader will not be on the party's next slate of candidates; and the businessman and auto dealer is being hotly tipped to replace the one given to intellectual pursuits.

Hopes dashed

7.Some say they were hoping the mini-reshuffle would have included the reassignment of the head of the department, to facilitate a new leader. The professionals within the organisation complain daily that the political head of the organisation seems clueless. They are openly expressing their concern that, if allowed to continue in that role, the head will only do irreparable harm to the institution.

Crisis meetings under way

8.Some are saying the way to spot which portfolio management does not meet with the approval of the chief is by taking stock of portfolio reassignments, or the splitting of portfolios. Land is now in the Office of the Prime Minister. Security has a new minister, and the star from the west has had his wings clipped. Friends of the other minister are now huddled in crisis meetings to bolster his ratings to pre-empt any perceived fallout from his handling of his charge.

Where's the dough?

9.So, what happened to the billions the police said their investigations revealed?

Less than honourable

10. They say he had to go because he knew the outstanding character report painted the applicants in a less than honourable light and, by not sharing the information, caused them to blunder in granting approval to shady characters some thought were looking for a way to launder their profits from their other 'business concerns'. Now, they seem to have found just that, aided and abetted by the one who collected the 'facilitation' fee.