In the Upper House today, Senate President Alincia Williams Grant expressed her disappointment over the decision of the opposition to boycott the budget debate.
In a passionate statement, she addressed the absence of several opposition members, emphasizing the significance of their role as legislators in the constitutional democracy of the nation.
“I came out, and I saw certain seats empty, and I’m not going to turn a blind eye to what had transpired because we all were here during the throne speech in the house,” stated Senate President Williams Grant.
Reflecting on her own journey in the August institution, she highlighted the honor and blessing she feels to serve as a legislator and underscored the critical role the Senate plays in the country’s constitutional democracy.
“Never in my wildest imagination would I have expected or seen myself sitting in this seat, and I am truly humbled and grateful for that opportunity to assist my country in this way as we navigate through what we understand an independent nation ought to be,” she added.
Williams Grant also expressed her confusion over the opposition’s decision to boycott the budget debate, citing early notices and efforts to accommodate all members.
“I’m at a loss as to how a shift in one month in the Parliamentary calendar means that persons who hold high office and expect to be treated as important and are recognized as such in our constitution are saying they didn’t have enough time to prepare for the single most important bill,” she remarked.
The Senate President shared her disappointment with the lack of consistent use of budgetary estimates in members’ presentations and urged a focus on fiscal matters rather than political plans and projects during the debate.
“I want to encourage us to use this time, this season of reflection, to reflect on what we say when we mean we’re committed to country and nation-building,” she concluded.
Williams Grant’s call for reflection comes amid the ongoing budget debate and raises questions about the responsibilities of legislators in promoting democracy and confidence within the country.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Madam Senate Leader, in the people’s interest, I would suggest that you resign your position because you are a representative of the organization that has this country in the bad state that it is presently.
If you are indeed serious about your words, you would do the honorable thing and resign because short of that you are showing the world what a hypocrite you are and you are just the same as your political leader gaston browne.
As you were quoting Scriptures, let me share one with you: Amos Chapter 3 and Verse 3: Can two talk together, except they be agreed?
It is not your words that justify you Madam Senate leader. It is your action or I am sure in your case, YOUR NON-ACTION.
While you are it. Admonishing and condemning absenteeism from the Parliamentary process. Become an advocate for change. Speak out for change to the Constitution that would set exact dates when elections are held, the throne speech is given, the budget presentation and debate by both houses of the legislature. That would be a clarion call from the position that you currently have.
Be an advocate and stop being a vessel of another’s power and authority!
@ Freetownson
Well said Sir.
No surprise from her. We expected her to behave like that and say what she said. Anything less would be uncivilised.
I guess she lacks common sense and insight, but this is just another ALP tactic of placing puppets in key positions. Why would the senators be interested in attending when the parliamentarians didn’t?
Gaston Browne has never really presented any budget, all he does is lie and grandstand. Flash back to 2020. His boast about us having the fastest growing economy and in two weeks we’re broke resulting in them opening the country with Covid-19.
It seems people in key positions are just a big part of our problem
Since when the role of a puppet is critical. The senate nothing but a rubber stamp for the lower house, where appointed members served only at the pleasure of their masters who send them there. Until senators are elected and can think independently your role now are similar to boneless worms. The Hon W. George was fired for doing his job…fighting for the working class . He left with his honor while “friends ” cowered in fear, like jellyfish. The entire senate is a waste of tax dollars . Constitutional reform is so needed in this country to give the senate balls of steel.
Has the senate members of the governing party ever disagreed with the lower house to not pass a bill or a budget? Have the members for the governing party ever made a critical contribution? I am asking, what is the purpose of the senate, except to put a bunch of your supporters on the public payroll.
That’s not just a budget, it has Gaston erratic personality of commandeering as he does to people around him, which if the opposition jumped into without study will feed into Gaston narrative of supremacists as the opposition would have ostensibly give their blessings to unaccounted funds from even last year.
Madam President what the Opposition MPs have complained about is not a shift in the debate from January 2024 to December 2023. That shift has nothing to do with their preparation since preparation can only come after the presentation of the budget by the Minister of Finance. Their complaint, therefore, is about the inadequate time given after the presentation of the budget by the Finance Minister to prepare. Your statement that they had a month to prepare a response is therefore erroneous, misleading and ridiculous.
Comments are closed.