Opposition MPs and UPP chairman still dissatisfied with Tuesday start date for Budget debate and short window for preparation

Members of the Opposition bench in the Lower House are seriously
contemplating whether they should participate in the 2024 Budget
Debate, slated to commence on Tuesday, December 19.

Originally, the debate had been set for the day before, Monday,
December 18, but the Opposition parties objected strenuously; and
after a Motion was moved and the vote took place, by division, Tuesday
emerged as the new date.
 
However, the Opposition Members are still not satisfied with the
change, having proposed Thursday, December 21, since it would give
them time to prepare properly.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle had said that no member of the
United Progressive Party (UPP) or the Barbuda People’s
Movement (BPM) would show up to Parliament before Thursday, while
MP Richard Lewis has said what happens on Tuesday remains to be
seen. 
 
Meanwhile, UPP Chairman D. Gisele Isaac says the Government bench is
trying to railroad the Opposition by not allowing them time to
scrutinize and analyze the budget thoroughly.
 
Isaac points out that the Opposition bench represents thousands of
people in whose interest the MPs work; therefore, the Members
require sufficient time in which to do their research so they can
efficiently represent their constituents.

According to Isaac, MPs traditionally consult with financial and
economic experts for analysis of the figures before returning to the
House for the Budget debate.
 
She notes, also, that perusing the parent Acts ahead of the proposed
amendments is necessary; and this would require time to comb
through the legislation in order to pick up any discrepancies.
 
Isaac states that the national budget should not be treated with such
scant regard. And she sees the short window before the debate as
Government’s gross disrespect to the Opposition.

Accordingly, she, too, is contemplating whether the Members should
take part in the circus being put on by the Browne Administration.

That was Chairman of the United Progressive Party D. Gisele Isaac.