Smith: Opposition is long on talk, short on performance
Responding for the Government to Barrow’s presentation was Minister of Tourism and representative for Pickstock Godfrey Smith.
Godfrey Smith, Minister of Tourism
“The arrogance of the Leader of the Opposition Madam Speaker and members of this honourable House is displayed in that they already assume, wrongly, that they will form the next Government, that they do not have to work for it, they do not have to present policy papers, all they have to do or can do is talk, talk, talk. Madam Speaker, we on this side of the House say talking will not be enough to get the United Democratic Party into office. We on this side, Madam Speaker, endorse and fully support this budget. You know why Madam Speaker? Because certainly for myself, and I believe for other members on this side, it demonstrates that even when this government is faced with problems and challenges or even crises if you will, this government has shown and that is demonstrated in this budget and in the past year of activity by the Government, that we can fix problems, we can face crises head on, that we can confront challenges head on, and fix problems; not talk, talk, talk like the United Democratic Party.”
“Belize is on the move, the economy of Belize is bouncing back, through strong management, confidence and skill of the People’s United Party. It would not Madam Speaker would have been achieved by mere talking as is the clear sign of what the people of Belize will get if they are so unfortunate as to elect a United Democratic Party government.”
“Thank God for the people of Belize it was the People’s United Party and a competent team that was able to pursue one of the most successful debt restructuring exercise ever seen in this region if not the world.”
The sitting of the House will continue at ten tomorrow morning. Belize’s labour unions have organised a demonstration in Belmopan to coincide with the meeting.