Prime Minister Kamla Persad-­Bissessar’s cup of love for citizens runneth over yesterday as she bared her heart and soul in her inau­gural speech after being sworn in as this country’s ninth Prime Minister.

As she did so, however, she firmly read the riot act to members of her Government, warning that if they treat citizens with callousness, contempt, or corruption, “retribution will be swift and brutal”.

The Prime Minister, who was returned to office for a second time after Monday’s general election, was sworn into office yesterday by Pre­sident Christine Kangaloo at President’s House, Port of Spain.