COMMENTARY: In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Did Antigua’s UPP Hand the ABLP the Golden Goose

In Skipping the 2024 Budget Debate Over Short Preparation Time

Did Antigua’s  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’s Cabinet notes of Wednesday Nov. 22^nd, 2023, this writer noted (back then)  that the budget debate would  commence on the 15^th of December.

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

Come Friday December 15, Prime Minister Gaston Browne (Minister of Finance in Antigua-Barbuda) presented his Government’s budget for fiscal 2024.

The Government  (initially)  gave Hon Jamale Pringle, Leader of the Opposition, in Antigua-Barbuda Sat. Dec 16^th and Sun. Dec 17^th to prepare his response to the Prime Minister’s presentation.

Led by Hon.  Pringle, the opposition objected, claiming inadequacy of time to prepare.

Sir Gerald Watt (KC)  speaker of the House, proposed a compromise, offering the opposition 1 work day (Monday Dec. 18^th in which to prepare.

The opposition sustained its objections, demanding additional time.

 

It was  argued that (among other things) certain ministers had international duties and, the budget must be passed in time for start of fiscal 2024.

Antigua-Barbuda’s fiscal year,  coincides with the calendar year.

As things went, the House debated and passed the budget for 2024, on Tuesday December  19^th,  without input from the opposition side.

At the “end of the day” the Government broke no laws, the debate is done and the budget passed without objections.

Furthermore, the ABLP may have scored some easy  points, given the backlash  which the UPP received for its failure to participate in the budget debate.

Perhaps, all involved should refresh their understanding of the phrase “Action imperative”. The Prime Minister seems well aware of what that means.

 

In our under-developed version of the West Minster system of government and governance,  the parliamentary agenda is (essentially) the purview of the Prime Minister.

Unless (of course) the governing side, wishes to be inclusive in its approach to government and governance.

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

1. The opening of Parliament, occasioned by the throne speech. and
2. The budget debate.

 

On the face of the issues,  both sides held arguable positions.

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

From the government’s 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’s needed to keep relevant international assignments.

Of course, in considering assignment for international travel, the business of the house, should take precedence.

Furthermore, (although the law allows for some  public 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.

 

Lost in the “cut and thrust” of the dispute, is the fact that the date for start of the debate was published three weeks ahead of schedule.

Additionally, it is no secret that the fiscal program follows a quite standardized template.

So, could the Leader of the Opposition and his shadow-ministers have commenced research and preparation once the date was announced?

Could a weekend plus Monday caucus add the finishing touches based on the PM’s contributions to the debate?

Could the UPP have turned “lemon into Lemonade” by demonstrating to the nation, that the party has the capacity to govern,  given its ability  to deliver under pressure and at short notice?

Was the Government side simply:  Arrogant and high-handed in ignoring the opposition’s demand for more time.

 

Having opted to “skip the budget debate, the UPP might have done some damage to its credibility with the wider population and some of its supporters.

Can you imagine,  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?

Contemplate the loss of positive impact, on the thousands of public servants,  who  anticipated  promised  salary increase, now being granted with out the input of the UPP.

 

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

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.  Things must be done in such a way as to encourage their buy-in to the country’s fiscal program.

To those ends, I certainly don’t think that PM Browne and his colleagues were being usefully strategic, in their push for obvious short-term gains.

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

This matter must be tidied up so we don’t pass this way again.

 

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’s decision to boycott the debate;

This may very well be the point at which the opposition is starting  to lose political momentum.

Government existing with a one seat majority in the House and a minority hand in the popular vote;

Both sides   are fighting for the support of remaining  independent electors; While  trying   to  capture soft supporters from the other side.

So, expect the  parties,   to try and spin   the “row-row” over the budget debate, to their advantage.

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

Similarly, If the ABLP yields between 1-3% of its existing support,  the party loses: City East and St. Mary’s North, handing power to  the Opposition.

So, whomever caused the UPP to “skip” the debates,  may want to think on those things.

 

Now, did UPP hand the ABLP the Golden Goose for the Holiday?

or Was the Government just fast and loose in its haste to get away?

Those species of political geese, take up to 5 years to lay their eggs, so we shall  see.

Or, will  “UPP’s version of  the  People’s Parliament”  vindicate the party?

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

(For more analytical pieces, visit: arvelgrant.com or [email protected]..Authorized for publication without content  modification(s) – All rights reserved

 

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