Dear Editor,
As we look ahead today’s parliamentary debate, where the Opposition will respond to Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s eloquent and detailed Budget Presentation, it is worth reflecting on the dynamics that will likely unfold.
This year, the Opposition MPs have had more time than ever to prepare their responses, but whether they can deliver anything meaningful remains to be seen.
Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle, after years in the Lower House, continues to fall short of the competence expected of someone in his position.
Without a university degree or a firm grasp of fundamental concepts such as a “funding gap,” he often enters Parliament woefully unprepared.
Despite his tenure, he has yet to demonstrate a command of the issues or the ability to articulate a coherent alternative vision for Antigua and Barbuda.
Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, on the other hand, has been prolific in writing public commentaries, though anyone paying attention can see that these speeches are obviously ghostwritten.
When the time comes for him to speak in Parliament, the question remains: will he be able to deliver without the crutch of a writer?
Or will his performance expose a disconnect between the carefully crafted words published under his name and his actual understanding of the issues?
Then there is Hon. Algernon Watts, who has spent most of his parliamentary career in silence.
Rarely speaking, he appears more comfortable in his native dialect than in the structured language of parliamentary debate.
While it’s possible he might surprise us, his track record suggests that his contributions, if any, may lack the substance and polish required to hold the government to account effectively.
The Prime Minister’s Budget Presentation was a masterclass in policy articulation, laying out a clear vision for the future with facts and strategies to back it up.
The Opposition now has the daunting task of providing credible alternatives or risk turning Monday’s debate into an exercise in futility. With the additional time given this year to prepare, excuses for a lackluster performance will not hold water.
The people of Antigua and Barbuda deserve an Opposition that can rise to the occasion, providing well-thought-out responses and meaningful critique.
Unfortunately, history suggests that what we are likely to witness on Monday is a display of unpreparedness, missteps, and superficial rhetoric. It will be yet another reminder that the Opposition must do better to earn the trust of the people and fulfill their role in our democracy.
Sincerely,
From the Inside
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Wow wow wow From the INSIDE growing up to be an adult always remember their are stages some of us get up and walk step by step, creep, some of us don’t walk. In responding to a budget presentation first you need the documentary facts take for instance NAMCO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT no accountability for ten years no audit no integrity commission so just respond then I am judge on my presentation
The current opposition is so far behind the 8 ball that their response is bound/likely to be trite, boring, repetitive (opposing for opposing sake). Guess I’ll use that time to complete my laundry and other household chores. Whether they choose to dump the hopelessly inarticulate Pringle in favour of desperado Shuggy who has recently taken to writing sermonettes on matters of which he has no knowledge, the result will be the same – hollow noise. Buy since we value our democracy, I guess we have no choice but to allow them some space to officially pollute the atmosphere.
“With the additional time given this year to prepare, excuses for a lackluster performance will not hold water.”
THIS!
@U & O
Has the incompetent Jamale Pringle, who is enjoying making more money in Opposition than he ever did in government, ever provided credible evidence that anything is amiss at NAMCO or National Housing?
Has he launched a single freedom of information request?
An Information Commissioner wouldn’t even have any work to do which was triggered by the fast asleep puppet that currently masquerades as Opposition Leader.
Has Pringle, after announcing he has a team of financial trainees from ASC and Sherfield Bowen helping to analyse all the financial data, presented any credible argument on anything?
Pringle and UPP are a complete joke. Loosing support daily. Politically undermining their own. Alienating everybody and foolishly waging war with Dane Knight.
Even if an occasional reasonable intervention comes from the opposition debate, we all know there will be no followthrough. Because there is no leadership. Only “leadershit”. Everyone knows this – newborn babies and 101 year old men laying in hospice, awaiting the call of their Lord and Saviour.
If would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad, where the strengthening of democracy in Wadadli is concerned.
all eyes will be on the HON. JAMALE PRINGLE
Will he make another CA-CA-CA-PASSY-TAH [per capita] blunder????
Each and everyday these people campaign hard for alp dog pound
Will there be a mock Parliament this time around, or they have ditched that ides due to its unsuccessful outcome? Cheap politics when they thought that they had a leg up. What a difference a year makes!
Sir Robin is back and looks amazing
Hon. Anthony Smith has resigned
Former Sen. Damaging Tabor (speech writer) gone
Winston (Fled) Henry, Former PRO, gone.
Strategist Dr. Edward Mansoor, defected
Dr. Philmore Benjamin resigned
Martyr, Sean Bird has defected, prodigally
Sen. Shawn Nicholas has stepped down from the senate.
Former Leader, Harold Lovell migrated to Canada
Hon. Richard Lewis not sure where he stands and don’t know where to turn.
Peter Redz Harriette kicked out.
Gladys Potter not running
The new breath of fresh air, Jermaine Lewis couldn’t continue with the foolishness
Barbara Coates is expected to drop out a well.
Sadly, Hon. Asot Michael is not with us for this budget rebuttal.
Again, Sir Robin Yearwood is back!
So, what will the five fellas present? Who will lead the pack?
Perhaps the SNAKE will lead the pack or the PREACHERMAN TURNED WINK UP MAS PLAYER! So much has happened with UPP since the last budget mess! Yet man cow continues to bury her head in the sand. As Pringle told Mr. Burford after the Throne Speech the upp is stronger than ever and a force to be reckoned with””.
Sorry, I meant to state Damani Tabor, Google spellcheck edited it to read as “Damaging”. My humblest apologies. That was not my intention.
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