Good advice, Lynette but you do know that the minister is a know it all and does not take advice from a fellow.
Barbados has to sink before the dems realise that they cannot manage this country.
I am appalled that David Estwick could come into the House criticise the budgetory proposals, deem them the worse ever and then turn around and vote for them!
The UPP has an opposite view to Mia, she is recommending a reduction from 30 to 25 MPs. Listening to hear if there is a proposal to modify the governance structure.
Observation: why are we not seeing an appetite of the political parties critiquing the other’s policies?
Where the video gone?
Prodigal
David Estwick is a hypocritical political opportunist.
After displaying his antics, only idiots would vote for him.
His loyalty is to the DLP, Hoddies Bar, his constituency and lastly, Barbados.
Estwick has no creditability and should be sent packing in 2018.
What bajans need to do is boycott everything from Bmex this weekend to every blast that going on in the country all the way up to crop over and just buy the necessities to get you by in your household, then maybe that should send a mssg to this govt to look at that tax imposition on us poor bajans
Santia Bradshaw said in her speech that politicians from both parties will have disagreements from time to time. Frenduel is not a despot like a certain person. Let Estwick & Donville and whosoever has a different point of view to the ‘collective’ speak. They have an opinion to offer. There was an article posted here on the BU last month entitled ‘No Backbench’, an article which was well received. The last paragraph it was stated that ‘…..there is no opportunity for dissenting opinion to influence government’s agenda…..’. So if the LW and other commentators agreed with that article, why are some here now saying something different when some politicians of the ruling party do exactly that?
@Kevin
It appears Fceboook removed the UPP video. We have replaced it with a Youtube.
Am I the only person impressed with the dignity, intelligence and general leadership skills of Santia Bradshaw? Is it anything to do with the fact she did not go to Cave Hill? If I were a betting man I would put a punt on her as a future prime minister.
David
I prefer to look at a hard copy….I have mentioned it to Lynette already but nothing to date.
I am not sure why anyone would waste time on a budget critique not sanctioned by the IMF as all else will only spell doom&gloom for the country over the next 9 months as OSA stated.
Anony6
Some participants have already withdrawn from Bmex in protest over the budget.
The new parties do not have access to party financing to compare to the two entrenched parties. It cost money to print stuff.
An interesting comment from Dr. Winston Moore.
Winston Moore While I understand the short term goals of the statement (the focus on raising revenue), either this administration or the next will have to deal with spending in the public sector. Reviewing the literature on successful reform efforts, adjustment through taxes hardly (never) work. In addition, taxes can not do two things at the same time: either they raise taxes or they are aimed at redistribution. The idea of keeping the VAT low to help the poor is not the most efficient approach. The best approach is to use taxes to raise revenue and then use income transfers to help the poor and other income groups as needed. Expenditure reductions are also possible by retreating further from other commanding heights of the economy (I would prefer firms based on the cooperative model here rather than the further concentration of income that will result from the divestment of the terminal and Hilton). In addition, the formation of new institutions as envisioned in the document are unnecessary (we do not need a competitiveness commission when we have a productivity council, just provide it with more resources and enforcement authority if needed). These are just a few ideas but Andrew Brathwaite that section of the budget might inspire you but it shows me why both major parties are annoying to many persons: there is no innovation or vision, just short term survival. I have not even mentioned the use of energy efficiency and renewables as a basis for reducing public sector costs, as was done as part of the Jamaican reform effort.
A good presentation. Excellent ideas.No wonder Barbados was able to face up to the OECD and Shiprider and other challenges thrown our way.I like the word she used ‘levity’ in serious matters before the House.Its as though the prize goats we have for MP’s,in particular on the DLP side,think that scoring cheap points and slapping tables contribute to an acceptable tenor of oratory.So sick of these scumbags.This woman is made of sterner stuff.So is Sanshuh,Mia,Billie,Ermie.
@Gabriel
Yes Lynette is an intelligent woman, we need more like her participating in public life.
David
pdf or whatever computer format….I can do my own printing.
Good comment. Lynette still has much to contribute to public life. I hope BU house holders took note of the need to constantly revise strategies to deal with a changing international economic system.
That was a great reply from Lynette. Just like H Clinton, she’s not really a good political candidate but would make a great PM. Looking to see who’s the UPP candidate in SPS.
A well done presentation. I am generally in agreement with their policies as presented; however, I am concerned about the general lack of action by those who have standing.
BLP and DLP political leaders typically wave what they deem to be incontrovertible evidence of corruption in Parliament, on political platforms, and before the media. However, they always refuse to present this evidence to the police or the DPP for evaluation. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that their actions constitute political tricks intended to sway voter sympathies.
The UPP and the BLP are both claiming that the new tax may be unconstitutional. However, why not take that argument before the courts for a ruling? Why just only wave it before the public. The only lawyer challenging the Government is David Comissiong – and he has paid a price.
Having raised it as a concern, the UPP should now follow through by challenging it in court. Our position is that if you do what you can when you can do it, it provides measurable confidence that you will do what you say later. If no one takes it to court, then perhaps it was just another political trick.
Best regards,
Grenville
@David June 3, 2017 at 12:00 PM “The new parties do not have access to party financing to compare to the two entrenched parties. It cost money to print stuff.”……………
David, to Vincent’s point there is no need to print. The efficacy of any of these fledgling political parties will be their web-based proficiency messaging.
They need two or three savvy people dedicated to messaging on social media and with that push they can very quickly can dismantle the big ‘advertising’ advantage of the BLP and DLP.
I personally could not understand why Phillips of SB allowed himself to be side-swiped by VOB and caught unprepared on their show…I was dumbfounded that he did plan for and put out a response via video on the web so I was suitably impressed that Ms Eastmond did just that.
She understands her messaging options and is using the medium accordingly.
Of course she needs now to create shorter soundbites of her most poignant comments and get that out to all and sundry as a further draw…. and for the Vincent’s of Bim she also must place a pdf transcript on her website.
This is the basic 1-2-3 of political life and messaging to a tech-ready electorate.
If they can’t get this done effectively then in which Alice in Wonderland reality can they be expected to run any aspect of a freaking government!
It seems that the government was forced to go the route of the bitter budget of this week for two reasons 1. the central does not have the appetite to print more money and 2. the government does not have the appetite to go to the IMF for political reasons.
@ David
People automatically equate austerity measures and a devaluation of the dollar with the IMF, which is a conclusion based on speculation and not facts.
Our sister island of Grenada, for example, entered an IMF ECF-supported Home Grown program, where government implemented policies to restore fiscal sustainability, strengthen the financial sector, facilitate economic growth and restructure debt.
According to the IMF’s March 2017 report:
“Grenada has also taken important steps towards completing the comprehensive debt restructuring started in 2014. Of the stock outstanding at program inception, over 90% has been restructured. Public debt is forecast to fall to 72% at end-2017, a drop of 36 percentage points from its peak of 108% in 2013. This sizeable decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio is attributed to all three key factors: debt relief and restructuring, fiscal adjustment, and strong GDP growth.”
“The government and people of Grenada should be commended for their achievements during the Home Grown program, particularly with respect to debt reduction, growth, and the strengthened fiscal policy framework. This success is due in no small part to the strong country ownership and HIGH DEGREE of CONSULTATION and COLLABORATION with STAKEHOLDERS, in PARTICULAR the Committee of Social Partners and the Home Grown Monitoring Committee. We encourage Grenada to press ahead with its medium term goals and to focus on ways to promote growth further and lower unemployment to improve the economic opportunities for all Grenadians.”
It is interesting to note that, under the circumstances, the Grenadian government sought to COLLABORATE with stakeholders, which is often suggested by the IMF as it relates to “home grown” policy development.
Over the past 9 years, the Barbados government has demonstrated an willingness to undertake a similar exercise of collaborating with stakeholders or taking advice from anyone, including their own Dr. David Estwick.
Grenada has not undergone any serious and devastating austerity measures that many speculate may happen. The Grenadian government assessed the economy and implemented “home grown” policies, which were supported by the IMF, enabling the island to achieve many of the desired policy objectives to secure fiscal sustainability for future generations.
@Artax
The sad truth is that the current state of affairs in Barbados has painted the country in a position where our policy measures are limited.
We also have to discuss the C-word as well as the D-word.
The difference is that the Grenada prime minister is a bright chap. His only problem is that he once got me out caught and bowled at the old ground. I tried to hit him out of the ground and mis-timed. He ought to be prime minister of Barbados for that.
Seriously, there is no need to go to the IMF, but as a nation we must pull together.
Thank You Lynette. I have watched entirely and agree with you on so many points, not least of which, that technology must be leveraged to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency. I would add that the first area in which I see this as being necessary is within governance itself. Many say I’m a dreamer but I will continue regardless, to envision and promote a new form of governance, that engages citizens with decision making power in real time. A direct participatory democracy, on a digital platform which increases awareness and allows voting to be ongoing, in conjunction with professional sectoral representation to better manage our Nations’ economic sectors is what we need now, more than ever.
Please make sure that candidates such as yourself, Grenville Phillips and others, both in and out of the traditional two party system, especially those with vast knowledge and conviction for the betterment of the people, do not sadly end up competing against one another, but in such a format as to enable the possibility of a coalition for change in the way our society is governed. Westminster style, geographical constituency, parliamentary representation is outdated and defunct. A handful of patriots, sitting together, to promote wider interests (One Barbados) and a TEAM of qualified individuals in the critical posts along with a ICT mechanism to encourage free and fair participation by all interested persons, civic groups and the church must be spurred into existence. Now once such a system as this is designed and implemented here, we might franchise to the world. I see no reason we could not manage governance platforms, remotely using the internet, for countries on the other side of the globe.
I join with others who have the belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve, as a people, if only we can unite hearts and minds, looking first outwards. I look forward to hearing any suggestions and ideas on how the best minds and widely available talent might be enjoined for the prosperity of this little powerhouse of an island we call Barbados.
There are some significant differences in what Keith Mitchell was able to achieve for Grenada compared to the rascals Stuart and Sinckler inBarbados. First and foremost Mitchell is a Maths and Statistics specialist.He is at ease with figures unlike both novices in Barbados neither of whom understand figures.Secondly,he is married to a bajan who no doubt provides the sustenance and advice that keeps him on track.Third he was intelligent enough to seek the advice of a prominent economic guru from Barbados and accept and implemen his plans and strategies.Fourthly Mitchell is always smiling,possessed of a keen sense of humour and is genuinely interested in the development of Grenada,its peoples and West Indies cricket.
In our haste to compliment the Grenada IMF experience we should not forget that holders of government securities had to collect a haircut BEFORE the decision to enter an IMF program.
David,
The same thing will happen in Barbados. Retail investors with government bonds will be robbed.
9 mins ·
PM to review 2% currency tax
PRIME MINISTER FREUNDEL STUART says there may be a review of the controversial two per cent commission on all foreign exchange transactions.Stuart was speaking so…
nationnews.com
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/97439/pm-review-currency-tax
@Vincent
Is there ever a budget policy measure that the government does not have to revisit?
David
Will he revisit the 10% as well…..so what was the purpose of the budget?
It was stated that the real budget was coming in October anyhow.
Lynette
Excellent on Brasstacks today.
This repeated revisiting budget measures is indicative of the shallowness of this poor rakey PM and MoF.
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