Senator Michael Dunkley has been replaced as Opposition Senate leader and tasked with focusing solely on national security after a shake-up of the Shadow Cabinet.

UBP leader Kim Swan told The Royal Gazette on Friday that he gave party chairman Jeanne Atherden the top Opposition job in the Upper Chamber in order to "broaden the responsibilities of our Senate team".

Mr. Swan said: "For the past two years, the team has been ably and energetically led by Sen. Dunkley, while shouldering an extremely heavy burden as chief spokesman for multiple ministries.

"I asked Sen. Atherden to step forward to the Senate leadership and Sen. Dunkley to focus exclusively on national security because it is the single most pressing issue for the people of Bermuda."

He said Sen. Atherden — a senator since May 2008 — brought "strong leadership skills to the table".

"She is the party chairman and this appointment puts the aims and objectives of the party at the forefront. We look forward to her taking on this new role of which she will bring a new dynamic."

Shadow National Security Minister Sen. Dunkley, who previously held the Immigration, Labour, Public Safety and Tourism briefs, said: "I don't have any comment to make. I'm a team player and any comment should come from the leader. I just try to serve people."

Sen. Atherden, new Shadow Minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry, told the Upper Chamber on Friday, during the first Senate meeting of the new parliamentary session: "This gives me the opportunity not only to be in the Senate and deal with issues, but to be more forward with specific party issues."

Mr. Swan shuffled his Shadow Cabinet to reflect Premier Paula Cox's restructuring of Government and the responsibilities given to her ministerial team.

The UBP leader is now Shadow Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Support, effectively swapping roles with Cole Simons, who takes on Tourism and Business Development. Mr. Simons remains Opposition Whip.

The other new titles are: John Barritt as Shadow Minister of Public Information Services, Public Administrative Reform and Constitutional Affairs; Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, as Shadow Public Works and Public Accounts Controls Minister; Charlie Swan as Shadow Transport Minister; and Suzann Roberts Holshouser as Shadow Minister of Youth Affairs, Family and Community Development.

Deputy Opposition leader Trevor Moniz remains Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Justice Minister, while Grant Gibbons, Bob Richards and Louise Jackson keep their previous portfolios of Education, Finance, and Health and Seniors, respectively.

Friday's Senate meeting saw three new Government senators at the table: LaVerne Furbert, Cromwell Shakir and David Burt, whose family members crowded the public gallery. The trio replace Marc Bean, Walton Brown and Thaao Dill.

Sen. Shakir said afterwards of his appointment: "I'm still taking it in."

He said his introduction to public life came as a result of his son Rajee being set upon by youths at Hamilton bus terminal in 1992, when he was 16.

The attack led Sen. Shakir to found youth help movement Club Respect. "Back then, I wasn't even thinking about politics," he said. "[Now] it's a service I could not resist.

"Over many years I've asked sacrifices of adults in meeting the needs of young people. When I was asked to consider this appointment, it was a question of my own willingness to sacrifice."

Asked if his work as a community activist had won him the job, the new senator replied: "I would like to believe it, but I'm the last to suggest it."

The Senate was adjourned until November 24.