BRADES, Montserrat – Opposition Leader Donaldson Romeo has filed a motion of no confidence in the government of Premier Reuben Meade accusing him of engaging in several recent decisions that may have negative implications for the political and economic future of the British Overseas Territory.
The motion is to be debated when the Legislative Council meets on June 26.
“Recent controversial import tariff increases, the MoU signed with the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and the Premier’s May 30th declaration in Ecuador that Montserrat is no longer a colonised country all reflect a pattern of government decisions made behind closed doors, without adequate consultation with the people who have to live with the results of such decisions,” Romeo said.
He said that Premier Meade’s actions were counter to his party’s 2009 election manifesto which “promised to move beyond “one-manism,” and would facilitate “community level consultations as the preferred means of involving the citizens in decision-making and governance on all matters affecting their lives.”
Romeo also challenged the June 1 introduction of a new Customs Tariff which he said is “riddled with problems that need to be fixed, such as the rises in tax on medicines like Insulin for diabetics and antibiotics for people with bacterial infections”.
The revised tariff abolished the service tax, leaving only duty and a consumption tax on over 6000 items. The most commonly used items by the lower income groups were to attract a lower banding while luxury items such as some electronic goods attracted a higher banding, according to a release from the Ministry of Finance. (CMC)
