Prime Minister Gaston Browne has openly questioned whether opposition MPs are capable of making a substantive contribution to the upcoming national budget debate, suggesting they lack the preparation and policy grounding necessary for a serious parliamentary exchange.
The comments were made during the Browne and Browne Show as the Prime Minister discussed expectations ahead of the December 4 budget presentation. He directly challenged the readiness of United Progressive Party MPs, singling out several by name. “What would somebody like Serpent go up there… to say? Serpent, Pringle, Shuggy,” Browne said, raising doubts about their ability to engage the government’s fiscal plans.
Browne’s remarks came during a broader segment in which panelists debated whether opposition members might attempt to boycott the budget proceedings or use the debate to mount political attacks. The Prime Minister dismissed the idea, saying there should be “no reason” for a boycott, and instead pivoted to questioning the opposition’s preparedness. His remarks suggested he believes the MPs lack both the economic expertise and the policy substance required for a credible budget response.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly signaled that this year’s budget will highlight what he describes as the government’s strong performance, including growth projections, public-sector investments, and new policy goals. He has also emphasized that the budget is an important test of leadership and competency within Parliament.
Browne’s criticism also aligned with his wider argument throughout the programme that opposition figures have attempted to “undermine order” on issues ranging from vending regulations to illegal dumping enforcement. “Every time the government tried to bring some order… the opposition trying to undermine order,” he said during the show.
The Prime Minister did not outline what he expects from the opposition during the debate, but he emphasized that the government is ready to defend its economic record and push ahead with planned policy measures.
The national budget debate will take place next week in Parliament, where both sides are expected to present their positions on the government’s fiscal strategy for the year ahead.
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I know you take pride in insulting others, and think they aren’t competent enough to do they jobs. But the same UPP members that you always referred to as “bottom of the barrel” you are recruiting them one by one and elevating them instantly as candidates or in big positions in your administration. Are you saying the present members of the ABLP is under the barrel? You see so competent, yet after been in power for 11 years as PM and finance minister social security is in a message. People gone on pension over a year ,and haven’t even collect one single check front the scheme up to present. ” They took the bribe so take the ride”.
The PM is CORRECT!!! Even the leaderSHIT of the opposition is a national embaRASSment.
DEEEEEFLECTION #11
Browne’s gibberish about “whether opposition MPs can contribute meaningfully to budget debates” is total nonsensical claptrap. How does he know what the opposition is going to do?
Is he playing God?
He’s a proven fiscally inept Prime Minister (through his constant lack of financial transparency) the man is dragging his feet through the mire of the vehicle acquisitions procurement scandal, and is scared witless (I can think of a better word that rhymes with witless 😉) to implement an independent audit and review of how taxpayers money was irregular used.
Antiguans just celebrated their 44th year of Independence. We now want to rejoice in a FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.
Gaston has to be himself guttersniping is his stock in trade. That’s why Antigua is the way it is, the youth has no proper example to follow when the leader of a country can be so condescending
Prime Minister is correct. These Opposition MPS are the DUMBEST in the history of Antigua Parliament.
JAMALE PRINGLE never knew what the hell he spoke about. He is a PUPPET controlled by the PUPPET MASTER.
SERPENT. Will speak for 2 minutes and never made sense.
SHUGY SIMON…Is the Complainer. This Guy complains all the time. He goes on Mr. Knight show and COMPLAIN. COMPLAIN. Always talking about BOLANS play field. We will never vote for this Guy again. Total disaster.
SHUGY SIMON…I listened to J TRUTH a few nights ago. If correct , you are in BIG TROUBLE. Your Good BUDDY and close FRIEND DAINTY endorsed it.
SHUGY SIMON is an AWFUL Person. These are the Person UPP attracts.
@BRIXTONIAN
Stop singing for your supper. You are NOT Respected in Antigua. We have the goods on you, BRIXTONIAN. Will expose you very soon. ABLP refused to give you a Senate seat, now you jumped ship to UPP. You are a LOSER.
A lie cannot be debated.
The opposition MP’s cannot take the mike and debate what is unrealistic and fabricated.
They certainly are far better debater than Maria Browne though.
I guess tomorrow we will hear, to the disrespect of Chet and MoleWYN, that Maria is the best debater on the ALP side after Gaston Browne.
It is sad that some laboRAT politicians are ready to exalt Maria at their own demise to remain in Gaston’s good books.
Stupes. UPP not sweet now! Disappointed much. Dem nah ready. I am waiting for them to step up, but nutten a happen. Tiring.
@JPPPPPP, long time no hear. How is you?
After all this time you still ah support Gassston and the ABLP? Mind you I’m not surprised. I’m more than pleased that I saw the light and decided that supporting the ABLP was no longer for me.
Anyways JP don’t stay off these ANR threads for so long again. Enjoy your day sup 👍🏾
I know I will
I can imagine if the opposition says that Gaston have the figures right and he running the country good that would make Gaston give them validation.
The budget speech is a fraud and a con. It’s a slight of hand by those swindlers.
The budget itself is a fraud, where even the very people who fabricate it cannot keep up with its expansive flaws.
How can you give a budget where half the expenditure cannot be accounted for or even explained, not unless it’s biggest fraud and Ponzi scheme in Antigua.
So, being condescending to people over a fraudulent scheme by this government, is not some victory call GB, it is a mark of only punks like you.
And like I always say,Anything I say about you will always be proven, and one is that, you are certainly no leader of men.
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