2017 Budget passes despite 4 Members no show!
After a final committee meeting on Wednesday March 1, 2017 further amendments were made and money added to the Estimates; however, the final amount has not been made public.
Hold on airport project now- backbenchers
The highlight of the debate was when some six legislators from the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) made clear to their Leader Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) they did not wish to move forward with the runway expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island at this time.
Government front bench Members with airport project concerns included Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Minister for Health and Social Development, who made clear he had issues with the funding mechanism, while Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), the Minister for Education and Culture, the often divisive politician, danced around the issue, claiming that he has concerns with the project but never stated his position.
In fact, Mr Walwyn used most of his time during the 2017 Budget presentation, as he has done for the past six years, to throw words against citizens and businesses he does not like and blame the civil servants for the dysfunction of government.
He also claimed that there are no issues with supplies for schools; however, many teachers, and parents called our newsroom as recent as this morning to allege the Minister was lying to the public as usual, because there are still many schools in need of supplies, including the Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda, where not even the photocopying machine is reportedly working.
4 not there for Budget Vote
The Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called for a division of votes on the Budget, which he abstained from.
All who were present for the Government, voted for the 2017 Budget; however, there were three NDP Legislators who left the House of Assembly before the vote. They were Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Hon Walwyn and Hon Delores Christopher (R5).
In addition, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), the Third District Representative, was not there at the time of the Budget vote.
17 Responses to “2017 Budget passes despite 4 Members no show!”
So much for standing up to postpone the airport funding.
Shame!
People and knows their politics. I yet to see that project listed in the budget. In fact the Premier knows it could not have been put in the budget for it would have never pass. Fahie, try again. If you are with the backbenchers, when and if the airport expansion paper comes to the house, vote against it with them. Don't try trickery my friend. You should smile at the budget for I heard you got some good $$$ to run your office as leader of the opposition.
A hot mess and he himself could not do what he dared them and others to do .This man cannot be trusted.