{"id":193993,"date":"2024-01-17T09:01:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=193993"},"modified":"2024-01-17T09:01:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:01:16","slug":"commentary-in-skipping-the-2024-budget-debate-did-antiguas-upp-hand-the-ablp-the-golden-goose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-in-skipping-the-2024-budget-debate-did-antiguas-upp-hand-the-ablp-the-golden-goose\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Did Antigua’s UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Over Short Preparation Time<\/p>

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Did Antigua\u2019s\u00a0 UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose for the Holiday or Was the Government Just Fast and Loose In Its Haste To Get Away?<\/p>\n

In a quick read of Antigua-Barbuda\u2019s Cabinet notes of Wednesday Nov. 22nd<\/sup>, 2023, this writer noted (back then)\u00a0 that the budget debate would \u00a0commence on the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0of December.<\/p>

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At the time, I thought, it looked a bit tight for the holidays. \u00a0The date being announced three weeks ahead of schedule,\u00a0 it was reasonable to assume that things would work out quite fine.<\/p>

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Come Friday December 15, Prime Minister Gaston Browne (Minister of Finance in Antigua-Barbuda) presented his Government\u2019s budget for fiscal 2024.<\/p>\n

The Government\u00a0 (initially)\u00a0 gave Hon Jamale Pringle, Leader of the Opposition, in Antigua-Barbuda Sat. Dec 16th<\/sup>\u00a0and Sun. Dec 17th<\/sup>\u00a0to prepare his response to the Prime Minister\u2019s presentation.<\/p>

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Led by Hon.\u00a0 Pringle, the opposition objected, claiming inadequacy of time to prepare.<\/p>\n

Sir Gerald Watt (KC)\u00a0 speaker of the House, proposed a compromise, offering the opposition 1 work day (Monday Dec. 18th\u00a0<\/sup>in which to prepare.<\/p>

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The opposition sustained its objections, demanding additional time.<\/p>

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 <\/p>\n

It was \u00a0argued that (among other things) certain ministers had international duties and, the budget must be passed in time for start of fiscal 2024.<\/p>\n

Antigua-Barbuda\u2019s fiscal year,\u00a0 coincides with the calendar year.<\/p>\n

As things went, the House debated and passed the budget for 2024, on Tuesday December \u00a019th<\/sup>,\u00a0 without input from the opposition side.<\/p>\n

At the \u201cend of the day\u201d the Government broke no laws, the debate is done and the budget passed without objections.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the ABLP may have scored some easy\u00a0 points, given the backlash\u00a0 which the UPP received for its failure to participate in the budget debate.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, all involved should refresh their understanding of the phrase \u201cAction imperative\u201d. The Prime Minister seems well aware of what that means.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In our under-developed version of the West Minster system of government and governance,\u00a0 the parliamentary agenda is (essentially) the purview of the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

Unless (of course) the governing side, wishes to be inclusive in its approach to government and governance.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, there are 2 items on the annual parliamentary docket, which government and opposition parties,\u00a0 would do well to observe,\u00a0 with the highest attention to the finest traditions of parliamentary protocols:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The opening of Parliament, occasioned by the throne speech. and<\/li>\n
  2. The budget debate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    On the face of the issues,\u00a0 both sides held arguable positions.<\/p>\n

    It certainly is unreasonable,\u00a0 to expect the opposition to prepare for and participate (meaningfully),\u00a0 in debate of the national budget, over a weekend and 1 business day.<\/p>\n

    From the government\u2019s perspective, operating with a majority of 1 in the house, it had no room in which to maneuverer, if 1 or more of its minister\u2019s needed to keep relevant international assignments.<\/p>\n

    Of course, in considering assignment for international travel, the business of the house, should take precedence.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, (although the law allows for some \u00a0public expenditures to take place pending passage of the budget, it tidies things up, if the program is approved and signed into law before start of the year.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Lost in the \u201ccut and thrust\u201d of the dispute, is the fact that the date for start of the debate was published three weeks ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n

    Additionally, it is no secret that the fiscal program follows a quite standardized template.<\/p>\n

    So, could the Leader of the Opposition and his shadow-ministers have commenced research and preparation once the date was announced?<\/p>\n

    Could a weekend plus Monday caucus add the finishing touches based on the PM\u2019s contributions to the debate?<\/p>\n

    Could the UPP have turned \u201clemon into Lemonade\u201d by demonstrating to the nation, that the party has the capacity to govern, \u00a0given its ability \u00a0to deliver under pressure and at short notice?<\/p>\n

    Was the Government side simply:\u00a0 Arrogant and high-handed in ignoring the opposition\u2019s demand for more time.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Having opted to \u201cskip the budget debate, the UPP might have done some damage to its credibility with the wider population and some of its supporters.<\/p>\n

    Can you imagine,\u00a0 the disappointment felt by their: family, friends and supporters; Many of whom must have been waiting for almost 9 months (since the last opening of Parliament) to see their new legislator, delivering in a budget debate?<\/p>\n

    Contemplate the loss of positive impact, on the thousands of public servants,\u00a0 who\u00a0 anticipated\u00a0 promised\u00a0 salary increase, now being granted with out the input of the UPP.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Conversely, the annual budget debate is intrinsic to continuing: Socialization of our young people;\u00a0 Public education in\u00a0 fiscal matters and requirements for\u00a0 socioeconomic advancement.<\/p>\n

    Given the closeness of the last general elections, it is arguable that (perhaps) 50% of tax payers are supporters of the UPP or independent electors.\u00a0 Things must be done in such a way as to encourage their buy-in to the country\u2019s fiscal program.<\/p>\n

    To those ends, I certainly don\u2019t think that PM Browne and his colleagues were being usefully strategic, in their push for obvious short-term gains.<\/p>\n

    Going forward, the Speaker should use parliamentary best practice (in the Commonwealth) to modernize the rules governing budget and wider debate practices, \u00a0in the Antigua-Barbudan houses of parliament.<\/p>\n

    This matter must be tidied up so we don\u2019t pass this way again.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Noting the thin margins which kept the UPP from forming the Government in the General elections of March 2023; and given the wide-spread backlash to the Party\u2019s decision to boycott the debate;<\/p>\n

    This may very well be the point at which the opposition is starting\u00a0 to lose political momentum.<\/p>\n

    Government existing with a one seat majority in the House and a minority hand in the popular vote;<\/p>\n

    Both sides \u00a0\u00a0are fighting for the support of remaining\u00a0 independent electors; While \u00a0trying \u00a0\u00a0to \u00a0capture soft supporters from the other side.<\/p>\n

    So, expect the \u00a0parties,\u00a0\u00a0 to try and spin\u00a0\u00a0 the \u201crow-row\u201d over the budget debate, to their advantage.<\/p>\n

    Ultimately, if the UPP yields\u00a0\u00a0 between 1-3% of its existing support, the party loses the St. George seat, moving government from 9 to 10 seats.<\/p>\n

    Similarly, If the ABLP yields between 1-3% of its existing support,\u00a0 the party loses: City East and St. Mary\u2019s North, handing power to \u00a0the Opposition.<\/p>\n

    So, whomever caused the UPP to \u201cskip\u201d the debates,\u00a0 may want to think on those things.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Now, did UPP hand the ABLP the Golden Goose for the Holiday?<\/p>\n

    or Was the Government just fast and loose in its haste to get away?<\/p>\n

    Those species of political geese, take up to 5 years to lay their eggs, so we shall\u00a0 see.<\/p>\n

    Or, will \u00a0\u201cUPP\u2019s version of\u00a0 the \u00a0People\u2019s Parliament\u201d\u00a0 vindicate the party?<\/p>\n

    Walk good, I guess the nation must now wait for another year,\u00a0 to see how our newest members of Parliament\u00a0 perform under the pressure of\u00a0 ongoing\u00a0\u00a0 annual budget debates.<\/p>\n

    (For more analytical pieces, visit:\u00a0arvelgrant.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0arvelgranttoday@facebook.com<\/a>..Authorized for publication without content\u00a0 modification(s) \u2013\u00a0All rights reserved<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Over Short Preparation Time Did Antigua\u2019s\u00a0 UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose for the Holiday or Was the Government Just Fast and Loose In Its Haste To Get Away? In a quick read of Antigua-Barbuda\u2019s Cabinet notes of Wednesday Nov. 22nd, 2023, this writer noted (back then)\u00a0 that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":159386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-193993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nCOMMENTARY: In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Did Antigua's UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-in-skipping-the-2024-budget-debate-did-antiguas-upp-hand-the-ablp-the-golden-goose\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COMMENTARY: In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Did Antigua's UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Over Short Preparation Time Did Antigua\u2019s\u00a0 UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose for the Holiday or Was the Government Just Fast and Loose In Its Haste To Get Away? 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