Prime Minister Gaston Browne, ABLP candidate for St. John’s City West (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has accused motor vehicle dealers of influencing a key campaign promise by the opposition, claiming the proposal to remove taxes on vehicles is driven by business interests rather than public benefit.
Speaking to reporters, Browne alleged that well-known dealer Paul Ryanâwhom he referred to as âPablo Ryanââand others had previously approached him with a similar request.
âIn fact, Pablo Ryan and others approached me and asked me if we could eliminate all of the taxes so that they can sell more cars,â Browne said.
Paul Ryan
The Prime Minister argued that the United Progressive Partyâs proposal to remove all duties and taxes on vehicles for personal use would primarily benefit car dealers, rather than ordinary citizens.
He further suggested that the policy is part of a broader effort to secure campaign financing.
âSo they are just playing to these business people, trying to get money from them for the campaign,â Browne added.
Browne also warned that significantly reducing government revenue through tax cuts could have serious consequences for the country, including reduced funding for public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
The comments come amid an intensifying political battle over economic policies ahead of the April 30 general election, with vehicle import duties emerging as a key point of contention between the two major parties.
Some ministers use to give some of them car dealers Duty free for a fee abd them car dealers wicked enough sell the vehicles full Duty
Wait is not the other day they had scandal at the port đł father God you see this.
I believe what the PM said. Them car dealers aint nothing easy
So hadeed and Harney in it too? Why is Paul name alone he call
Who will Gassy Dread not throw under the bus
Donât worry Gassy is going to deal that idea. Every ideas the UPP has he steals.
Remember the CIP, Gassy is now milking that program as one of the main revenue for the government.
If the government loses the duty, it will still receive the sales tax from the vehicle sale and environment levy.
One thing people should never do is trust gassy to keep their secret
Im just here for the comments
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Sometimes I disagree with gaston because he is very brazen but sometimes he makes sense
Paul Ryan mek sure the government pay your father the millions owed in rent.