What he said

[Williams] said Grimes broke his longstanding promise to reduce the size of his cabinet, which Williams sees as further evidence of continued strife within the Liberal party.

"This (party) has now lost nine senior ministers over the last two years: Brian Tobin, Beaton Tulk, Paul Dicks, Chuck Furey, John Efford, Lloyd Matthews, Sandra Kelly, Ernie McLean and Kevin Aylward. That's a significant amount of experience that has not been replaced in the Liberal caucus," Williams said.

"These nine resignations provided Roger with ample opportunity to reduce his cabinet but he has been unable to do so because of internal problems. Numerous members threatened to resign or not run again if they weren't appointed to cabinet. The premier had no choice but to hold cabinet positions as political plums for his entire caucus."

- Will Hilliard, reporting in the St. John's Telegram, February 18, 2003

Mr. Speaker, the Throne Speech reduced the size of Cabinet to no more than one-third of the number of electoral districts, which would allow for sixteen Cabinet ministers including the Premier; yet, a brief glance at members opposite shows eighteen Cabinet ministers plus the Premier. In fact, almost every member opposite who plans to run again, currently has a Cabinet portfolio.

My question for the Premier is: If he is sincere about reducing the size of his Cabinet, why didn’t he take the opportunity to lead by example and implement that principle when he recently shuffled his Cabinet? Shouldn’t the Premier practice what he preaches?

- Our Dear Premier, in the House of Assembly, March 20, 2003

Opposition Leader Danny Williams said Thursday Grimes should have led by example and reduced the cabinet in his recent shuffle.

Williams said he'd cut cabinet, too.

"We would certainly reduce cabinet. As to the exact number, that's not something I've really finalized," he said.

- From an unattributed news brief in the St. John's Telegram, March 21, 2003

Williams intends to introduce a "new, leaner" cabinet, but has not decided what its exact size will be.

- Barb Sweet, reporting in the St. John's Telegram, October 23, 2003