Promising change, new Premier Ewart Brown unveiled a radically different Cabinet yesterday which sees a new ministry of Social Rehabilitation under Dale Butler while Senator David Burch combines Housing with Public Safety.

Other big changes include Larry Mussenden resigning as Attorney General to be replaced by Phil Perinchief and Neletha Butterfield swapping her Education Portfolio after just eight weeks in charge, with Randy Horton, as she goes back to Environment.

At a ceremony at Government House yesterday Governor Sir John Vereker said he had accepted Alex Scott?s resignation as he swore in Dr. Brown as Premier, capping a weekend of sweeping change for the ruling Progressive Labour Party.

Dr. Brown defeated Alex Scott 107 votes to 76 in Friday?s crunch vote at the PLP?s delegates conference.

The new Cabinet sees the return of Nelson Bascome to the Health Ministry after three years on the backbenches as Patrice Minors gets the sack. PLP Deputy Leader Paula Cox retains the Finance Minister?s post.

The biggest changes were in the Senate with David Burch the only one to not resign as Alex Scott loyalists Larry Mussenden, Walter Roban, Raymond Tannock and Neville Tyrell all fall on their swords.

Asked about formal resignations Dr. Brown said: ?I don?t know exactly if the paperwork is in anyone?s office but I was told that I could fill their positions.?

Sen. Burch loses his Works and Engineering brief to Dennis Lister as he became the Minister of Public Safety and Housing.

The size of the Cabinet falls from 13 members to 11 but Dr. Brown said: ?Reducing the Cabinet wasn?t primary, not the original intent. Minister Burch has gained traction in the housing area.

?It is not our goal to interrupt the rhythm where work is being done and achievement is on record. Lt. Col. Burch comes from a military background and has a no nonsense management style. We think that?s what?s needed in that area. Whole idea of the size of the Cabinet is to make sure all ministers are busy.?

And Dr. Brown indicated he would be busy himself as he picks up his Tourism and Transport portfolio which he had resigned earlier this month when he ran for party leader.

Dr. Brown said: ?It will be a challenge but we have done some groundwork in tourism and transport where we are almost at the point where much of the work will not be required that has been required in the beginning. There are certain things I need to see over the line. In particular the initiation or construction of new hotels. I anticipate that will happen within this calendar year.?

The move means Walter Lister leaves Cabinet just over two weeks after being appointed as Transport Minister.

Also axed was Michael Scott who had held Telecommunications which will now be added into Environment.

He said he had submitted a resignation letter to give Premier Brown a free hand although he had made it clear he was happy to continue to serve in Cabinet.

Derrick Burgess?s job has been changed slightly. Formerly the Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister he his now the Labour and Immigration Minister. Mr. Burgess said he wasn?t worried about losing the Public Safety part of his ministry to Sen. Burch and he was happy to put his efforts into rooting out immigration abuses.

In a day of big change the most radical move is the creation of a Ministry of Social Rehabilitation under Dale Butler.

Dr. Brown said: ?That ministry sends a message that no longer will we shy away from the fact that we have social disfunction in Bermuda.

?We will not hide them in the pockets of various ministries. But we will give ministerial attention and impact to these urgent issues ? issues of child care, foster care, health care, social assistance. These issues require Cabinet attention.

?The Minister I have chosen to do this is a minister with boundless energy and a minister I think who is waiting for more to do. We can have a so-called prosperous society but if it erodes from beneath we have nothing to talk about. And so our plan is to address our challenges in a very assertive manner.?

Describing his ?great team? he said it would have been a travesty if he had not capitalised on the momentum that has been developed over the past week.

?We have had a chance to chat and the ministers are all clear that the centrepiece of our administration will be work.

?We promise the people of Bermuda we are going to function in the open with the energy that you might expect. We promise the people of Bermuda we will bring change.?

He said it was a strong and diverse team. Asked about the absence of whites he said: ?I believe that will come.?

But he said he did not want to make ?window dressing appointments? or ?token appointments?.

He said he wanted a frank and sustained debate on race and racism which he said had been treated in a very cosmetic way in Bermuda with the races like ?ships passing in the night?, giving the appearance of understanding but not really engaging with each other.

?I will make contact with number of authorities on the subject, both black and white, in North America where the issue has been addressed in more depth.?

?Race for me is an issue which covers every ministry here. But programmes designed for it come out of Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.?

He denied his controversial references to plantations had been ill advised. ?Whenever I have raised the issue of plantations it?s been in response to an action or statement that?s considered unfair.?

He said he wasn?t being divisive but was trying to trigger debate. But he said he would not hide from questions during his Premiership. ?There is no journalist in Bermuda who can pose a question that?s too difficult for me.?

And Dr. Brown pledged the media would be invited in for chats on a regular basis. ?The challenge will be wide open. I am noticing an improvement in the quality of journalism in Bermuda.

?I want to see it continue and my ministers will be available and they will speak with you.?

Despite widespread changes in the Government appointments to the Senate, Governor Sir John Vereker has stuck with his current set of independents appointments to the Senate ? they remain Senate President Alf Oughton, Walwyn Hughes and Carol Bassett.