Barbadians display interest in Budgetary Proposals

THE atmosphere outside the gates of Parliament Building prior to yesterday’s Budgetary Proposal was not as low-key as it was last year.

In 2016, the crowd that gathered to support their respective political parties remained relatively quiet, merely looking on as the Parliamentary Representatives arrived for one of the biggest days on the calendar for Barbadians.

However this year, those who gathered, as early as an hour and a half prior to the 4 pm. start, were definitely seen and heard. Some even wore t-shirts, with messages written on them.

There were those supporters who booed at some Member of Parliaments (MP), while others cheered on their preferred representatives as they arrived.

Many were vocal about what they wanted to hear from Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Chris Sinckler, when he delivered his presentation.

BLP supporter Cytomia Worrell, who held a red rose in her hand, said all she wanted was for public servants to receive a raise of pay “even if it is just something small”.

“I am not going to look for the 23 per cent because at this point in time I think that would be impossible, but at least they can be kind enough to give us
something after we have waited so long without anything,” Worrell said.

“I would like to hear things get a little cheaper so that I could get a better cost of living because I really think that it’s a bit high.

“So we will have to wait and see what they do inside the House [of Assembly] and how it will benefit poor people. We can just cross our fingers and hope for the best,” another BLP supporter added.

Meanwhile, an elderly man who asked that his name be withheld, but proudly stated that he was a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) supporter, said he accepted whatever the Minister of Finance presented to the people of Barbados.
“Life’s tough for people all over the world and the Government’s trying to save the economy. I don’t know what else Bajans want,” the elderly man said. The MPs started to arrive just after 3 pm.

The crowd could not contain its excitement when leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley made her way through the gates at around 3.39 pm. Mottley received hugs and kisses from supporters who assured her that they were confident she would win the next General Election and “bring back this economy to where it used to be”.

“Mia you got the capability and the know it all to get this country back on its feet! We believe in you Mia,” one supporter shouted at the top of her lungs.

About five minutes later, Minister Sinckler arrived with his daughter Tatyana King and wife Arlyn. Sinckler smiled as he took time to greet four-year-old Government Hill Nursery student Jessica Rose Jacobs and then paused to have a corsage pinned by King, before quickly making his way to the House of Assembly.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart who arrived at 3.52 pm, paused to have a corsage pinned by Sandra Forde. Immediately, following the Prime Minister’s arrival, the members of the Opposition made their way into the House of Assembly.

The DLP candidate for The City, Henderson Williams, who also turned out to support his party, told the media he was aware that Barbadians were looking forward to hearing an election-driven Budget.

However, the candidate said, “I follow the lead given by the Minister of Finance, who has indicated that his view is that he will continue to ensure that the people of Barbados are taken care of first and that we are not going to try to have a
scenario where we focus on winning an election by providing goodies, but certainly by treating the needs of Barbados”.

“So I expect that the Budget will be balanced. It will focus on all of the key issues that we confront; understanding that we have global issues that have impacted upon us and we need to find
a mechanism to work through those issues,” Williams said. (AH)