Opposition Outcry as Antigua and Barbuda Government Fast-Tracks 2024 Budget Debate

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Opposition MP's in a huddle /December 2023

Source -Real News Antigua: The Government bench’s desire to commence the 2024 Budget
Debate on Monday, December 18 – less than 24 business hours after it was presented – stirred a flurry of objections from the Opposition bench, with Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle saying the time period is “unfair.”

Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a lengthy Appropriations Bill, 2024, today, December 15, after which Attorney-General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin moved a Motion for the debate to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

However, this was met with outrage from the Members of the Opposition bench.

Benjamin ultimately admitted that – only the day before, Thursday morning, December 14 – he had informed Pringle that the budget presented on Friday would be debated the following business day.

As an excuse for bringing the debate forward – instead of allowing the usual one-week interim – Benjamin said that ministers are expected to travel on government business.

But Barbuda MP Trevor Walker was very vocal in his objection to the narrow time frame that Government was affording the Opposition bench – which, collectively, had garnered more votes in the January 18 General Elections – to prepare for representing its
supporters.

Accordingly, Walker suggested a compromise by moving a counter Motion, giving Thursday, December 21, as a more appropriate date by which the Opposition could deliver its response. He noted that a precedent has already been set – that is, one week to get ready for the Budget Debate.

Meanwhile, Pringle chided the Government for its ongoing disregard of the Opposition, and said that more time was needed for its Members to present a well-researched response.
The Government’s proposed timeline was unacceptable, he said, particularly since requests to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, asking for specific financial documents, have gone answered.

During further objections by MP Richard Lewis, House Speaker Sir Gerald Watt intervened, seeking a compromise. But after the Opposition bench stood its ground, the Motions went to a vote, by division, with a nine-seven majority in favour of the Government.
Independent Member for St. Peter Asot Michael was absent from the day’s proceedings.

Parliament will now convene for the Budget Debate on Tuesday, December 19, at 9:30 a.m.

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16 COMMENTS

  1. A clear indication of the dictatorship government that’s rearing its ugly head in Antigua. The Great Reset on display.

    “Give them an inch they take a yard — give them a yard they take a mile.”

  2. UPP Opposition Members of Parliament must grow up and stop seeking public SYMPATHIES. These Guys are a bunch HYPOCRITES. UPP need to get rid of D GISEL ISAAC , LOVELL and all the old farts from around the party, that will be helpful. Jamale Pringle does not understand issues , so more time for the budget will be the exact same thing. You Guys need to shut up and do the People’s work.

    • @ PETE

      Why don’t you SHUT your DAM PIG MOUTH UP!!
      D GISEL ISAAC and LOVELL have more brain in their BIG TOE than you. Is this a JEALOUS THING? You do nothing BUT KEEP DIPPING YOUR HALATOSIS BREATH IN UPP BUSINESS. DID anyone ask you for your advice or opinion?
      GO AND ADVISE GASTON about ASOT, DEAN JONAS and the TOTAL DISRESPECT THEY METED out to TANNY ROSE who have defended them for years- with an awful POOR QUALITY FUNERAL, no honour nor dignity given to the man. People like you ”PETE” will get even worse treatment. GO ON BEING A JACK-ASS for the ABLP.
      btw, MOLWYN, ROBIN AND CUTIE ARE TEENAGERS (and not old farts, you fool).

      • @poor tanny rose. Do me a favour. Explain to me why you upp suppprters are so rude and aggressive. The bittness is real. It’s like no one else is allowed to have another opinion or ro disagree with your POV. As soon as someone says something that you guys don’t like, it’s an immediate disrespect and name calling. It shows that you (collectively) are unable of rationalizing and having a constructive debate. Change the narrative jack. Be polite!! Be constructive and up your level of discussion. You don’t have to agree with government decisions but let your discourses be uplifting and productive.

        • @ Sheries. Sherry Simon

          OK MINION, Gaston ass licker. You and PETE were extremely respectful. Harold and Giselle push sticks up in your azzes?

          • Just as I expected. You fail to have a high level discussion. You refuse to rise above and be constructive. Study the comments you make. It’s to attack rather than to edify and uplift. That’s very sad. Make someone feel better by offering kind and informative remarks. Can you do that? It will make you feel nicer about yourself and less bitter. Have a great day. Remember Jesus loves you!

        • @Sheries. Sherry Simon December 16, 2023 At 1:22 pm
          That is their modus of operandi. They hope to have scared you off and that you will not make any comments from now on. The level they want to drag us donw is in the gutter. That is where they reside.

  3. “Meanwhile, Pringle chided the Government for its ongoing disregard of the Opposition,…..”.

    THIS IS A SURPRISE TO YOU ALL? Well, welcome to the knowledge that the WORLD has in this regard.

    The public will watch as the Opposition put their tails between their legs and go into Parliament on Tuesday 19th December 2023 like the children they are seen to be by the ‘other side’.

    Pathetic in my view but……………..

    • @Audley Dave Joseph (a.k.a. Beef) December 16, 2023 At 11:22 am
      Have you ever had a surprise test from the teacher and only those who are always prepared will pass the test. The teacher always warns that you should be prepared everyday. And Beef the Bible tells you to be prepared, cause no one knows the hour that the Lord will come. You cannot be like the foolish brides.
      Matthew 25:1-9
      “God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bridegroom’s here! Go out and greet him!’ “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’ “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
      Always be ready. When they had to debate the acquisition of the ALFA NERO they also where not ready.
      As the PM said they are not ready for prime time. Well they have lots of homework to do over the weekend for sure. Means they finally have to work for their money. And we will see what the level of the debat is.

  6. Nothing new here:

    A ruling party who plays all the tricks in the books; some unfair and unprecedented

    A speaker of the house who rather than being an unbiassed arbitrator, acts like a judge and dictates in favor of the Government

    An Opposition Party that is not ready for prime time.

    • Yes, nothing new here. They present the budget on a Friday and want discussions by the opposition on Monday. Saturday and Sunday are not the weekend. They planned this. They don’t want no discussions by the opposition. They are dictators and know they will get away with it because they are the majority.

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