Surrounded by some of his new work colleagues, family members and well-wishers, Cecil ‘Ces’ Mckie took the oath of office making him this country’s newest Senator and Minister of State.{{more}}

The former insurance boss took the plunge into political waters with his swearing into Cabinet on Monday afternoon at Government House.

Mckie, who is tipped to contest the general elections in West St. George when they are called, said that his upbringing and service to this country in other areas are his inspiration for making this decision.

“I have no intention of departing from my values. I intend to keep on track,” Mckie indicated following his swearing in.

“I am going into a field in which I have to uphold family values, which I intend to maintain in my new career.”

Mckie said that his track record of involvement in a number of community and sporting organizations has helped him to touch the lives of many Vincentians, and he intends to continue doing so with this new appointment.

“I think I am pretty grounded where service is concerned, and with the support of Cabinet, government and parliament I will be inspired to deliver well to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Among those congratulating Mckie was Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Dr. Gonsalves said that Mckie would make a tremendous contribution to Cabinet and Parliament, especially in his new portfolio as Junior Minister in the Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Non Governmental Organizations Relations, Persons with Disabilities, Youth Affairs and Sports.

“He has a lot of work ahead of him, lots of pressure to deliver in a short space of time.

“This government is open to fresh ideas and new, better ways of doing things in order to better serve the population,” Gonsalves indicated.

Mckie was also congratulated by Govenor-General Sir Fredrick Ballantyne, who said that he hoped the government’s latest addition could live up to challenges.

Mckie, the former manager of St. Hill Insurance and an avid sports and carnival lover, joins Senator Michelle Fife and newly appointed Minister of Housing Saboto Caesar as ‘fresh blood’ that has been injected into the Unity Labour Party led government ahead of general elections which are constitutionally due by March 2011.