Opposition Leader to Present Simulated Budget in the House

Shyne Barrow

Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow has also signaled that he will be presenting a budget of his own, as well as recommendations where government should tighten up or increase on its expenditure.  But how will his mock financial plan be received by his peers on the other side of the floor?  That’s a wait and see; nonetheless, we asked the prime minister earlier today for an initial response to the notion of a budget presentation by the Leader of the Opposition.

Isani Cayetano

“The Leader of the Opposition has indicated that he will present his own iteration of what a budget should look like in terms of dealing with the finances of the country.  You haven’t seen it, the country hasn’t seen or heard it yet, but what is your preliminary take on something like that?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“He could present anything.  Nothing surprises me from the Leader of the Opposition.  I think he is desperately trying to grasp at straws to keep his political life or as leader alive.  So I guess he will try to do anything to get some kind of attention.  But that’s his right and if that’s what he wants to do then he can proceed, but I am sure that many of the things that he is going to say, they don’t make sense, like when he’s talking about free education.  Education is a fundamental right of every child in this country and we need to make it as best as possible to ensure that our children stay in school.  Many of these children because their parents can‘t afford to take out loans to send their children to school.  And so, I believe that as a government not only do we have legal responsibility but even morally, we have to be able to do something to keep our kids in school”