Opposition party criticised for boycotting budget debate
By Aabigayle McIntosh
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan is taking the opposition United Progressive Party to tasked for boycotting the debate on the national budget.
He said the party should have been prepared to present an argument to the public.
“Everybody in Parliament must have an idea of what the budget will consist of at least in general terms. But I am firmly of the view that opposition political parties ought to have a caucus meeting amongst themselves to come up with what they would put forward to the people of the country,” Astaphan said.
He also stated the UPP’s absence shows they are unfit to govern.
“If a political party’s members who are elected to the House are not prepared to discuss, to respond to a budget presentation in 24 hours or three days, then you not fit to govern. You must have a plan that you intend to put forward to the people of this country,” he said.
A former UPP MP has stated the party could have burned the midnight oil to put forward a rebuttal.
This story was first published by Antigua News on December 22, 2023: antigua.news/2023/12/22/opposition-party-criticised-for-boycotting-budget-debate. © 2023 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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Jane December 22, 2023, 12:05 PM