Vacancy for opposition leader filled for the first time since 2013

ST GEORGE’S (CMC):

The vacant seat of leader of the opposition was filled yesterday for the first time since 2013 with the appointment of Tobias Clement, a former member of the ruling New National Party (NNP).

The office became vacant in 2013 following a general election in which the NNP won all 15 seats in the House.

Before Clement, the leader of the opposition was now-Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who held that post from 2008 to 2013.

Clement, who is affectionately called ‘Toby’, campaigned as the NNP candidate for the general elections in 2013 and 2018 and won his seat as the member of parliament for the constituency of St George’s North East area.

He, however, resigned from the party in December 2020 and indicated then that he would not abandon the people of his constituency.

Early Tuesday, Clement took the oath of office and received his instrument of appointment from Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade.

He will be on the only opposition member in the House of Representative, and as leader of the ppposition, he will, among other things, be appointed as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, and appoint three opposition senators.