Clyde Mascoll has made the switch to the Bees, as this column last week suggested he might.
At the point of writing he had not yet been accepted into the party, but
that is just a formality.
After all, Owen is no fool and he well knows what mileage the party and he will get out of Mascoll.
The post the former Leader of the Opposition will hold in his new party is still unclear. Word was that he would be Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Transformation, but I'm not sure that someone who couldn't wait to get into the House of Assembly to "lock horns" with the Prime Minister on economic matters would be happy playing second fiddle to Hamila, the Rastaman from the Pine.
I've heard he will be made Minister of Economic Affairs or Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, but that is sure to cause ruction on the back benches. Then again, Owen seems to have them all firmly in their place, including ministers whom he contradicts publicly with no apparent qualms and with not a peep from them. If you doubt me, ask Anthony Wood or "Motorisses".
It was interesting to note that David Estwick was at the meeting Mascoll had with his constituents on Thursday night. I was wondering if he would follow Mascoll to the Bees, and I heard that an offer to accept him had been made, but I know Estwick is no fool either.
He announced subsequently that he was remaining with the Dems and I'm not surprised. His constituency branch has reportedly apologised for its actions in saying they didn't want him as candidate. That is a big olive branch extended and it's no secret whose hand was at the other end.
Estwick well knows that if he goes to the Bees he's dead politically. First thing, Lynette Eastmond was his opponent in the last elections and is reportedly making some inroads in the St Philip West constituency he represents.
If he went to the Bees it is almost certain that Eastmond would be the person chosen to contest that seat and that would be the end of him politically because Owen surely would not include him in another constituency or make him a Senator.
One thing for sure – my calypsonian colleagues are licking their lips like mad all like now.
Crop-Over should see some wicked lyrics. And the drama isn't even finished yet!