PRIME MINISTER MIA MOTTLEY’s Mini-Budget has received a failing grade from the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
For the Dems, who were devastated in the May 24 General Election 30-0
by the Mottley-led Barbados Labour Party, all she has done is hurt the Barbadian people more.
Yesterday at the DLP headquarters in George Street, Belleville, St Michael, former Government ministers Stephen Lashley, Donville Inniss, Dr David Estwick and candidate for Christ Church West Verla De Peiza took turns tearing into what was deemed as a “flawed stimulus programme”.
“I’m trying to understand how that (the Budget) marries and works with a declining economy, a shrinking revenue base,” Estwick, the former minister of agriculture, said as he lambasted the Prime Minister’s plans.
“So I go to the fact that if that is happening, I cannot see how you are going to achieve any of those targets.
“It cannot be achieved; not in an economy that is heading to a recession. That is economic foolishness,” he declared.
Lashley, who was chairman of the meeting, also laid into the package.
“Our perspective . . . is based on the immediate impact of this Budget on Barbadians. And the question we ask is: will Barbadians be better off after this budget? I believe the answer . . . will be no,” the former MP for Christ Church West Central added.
Lashley accused the new Government of increasing taxes, something for which the DLP was chastised.
The former minister of sport and culture said Mottley’s administration had also increased Government expenditure, threatening to cause the country to regress.
Lashley explained the DLP would soon release a more detailed response to the Budget. (AD)
