OPPOSITION Leader Wayne Furbert unveiled his Shadow Cabinet yesterday, and declared that his new team was ready to take up the challenges of office.

The reshuffle contains one major surprise ? there is no place on the United Bermuda Party front bench for former party leader and Finance spokesman Grant Gibbons, ousted by Mr. Furbert in a low-key coup less than two weeks ago.

Many expected Dr. Gibbons to stay on as Shadow Finance Minister.

Former Works & Engineering Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin takes over the Finance portfolio, one of two high-profile promotions.

And in what some will see as a minor cull of the party's old guard, former Home Affairs spokesman and deputy leader Michael Dunkley has been demoted, switching seats with former Minister without Portfolio Maxwell Burgess.

The high-powered game of musical chairs also sees Shadow Sports Minister Jon Brunson pick up the Works & Engineering brief while Jamahl Simmons, formerly at Transport, and David Dodwell formerly at Race Relations and Economic Empowerment, trade places.

Mr. Dodwell will also resume control of the Tourism portfolio from Senator Kim Swan, who has been pencilled in as Shadow Housing Minister.

Recently selected Senator Gina Spence Farmer is promoted to the Shadow Cabinet and will serve as spokeswoman on Youth, Community & Cultural Affairs.

Neville Darrell, Suzann Roberts Holshouser, Louise Jackson and Cole Simons keep their posts at Education, Women's Affairs, Health and Seniors, and the Environment respectively.

Mr. Furbert did not reveal if John Barritt and Trevor Moniz are expected to be retained as House Leader and Shadow Telecommunications Minister.

Unveiling the new team yesterday, Mr. Furbert said: Our priorities and our vision are clear ? to house our people with dignity, to heal the racial divide that plagues our community and to educate our children with the skills, the tools and the wisdom to compete with the best and the brightest in the world.

"Our team stands ready to take up these challenges and deliver real solutions to our people.

"I have been encouraged by the outpouring of support for our vision of a new political dynamic in Bermuda.

"Our call for country over conflict, diversity over divisiveness and principles over party has been well received and we intend to carry this vision forward in every act that we take and every decision that we make."