A few very vocal female supporters dressed in red created the only stir around the Parliament Buildings yesterday, as Opposition and Government parliamentarians arrived for Opposition Leader Owen Arthur’s response to the 2010 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals.
In glaring contrast to Budget presentations and responses of yesteryear, the atmosphere was low-keyed, as pedestrians walked past the gates of the Public Buildings, hardly showing curiosity for a “look-see”; while faithful Barbados Labour Party (BLP) supporters standing outside loudly greeted BLP members one after the other upon arrival.
Few parliamentarians came early, among them Arthur, who was driven into the Public Buildings yard by his wife Julie. She was fashionable in a well-tailored vermillion suit.
Noticeably, Arthur did not walk out to the street to greet supporters and no-one pinned a corsage on his lapel. Instead, he paused briefly outside his vehicle before proceeding to the Opposition offices in the West Wing of Parliament.
On the other hand, MP for St Joseph Dale Marshall could not escape the exuberant admiration of the handful outside, and was embraced by the women, one of whom followed him into the yard to pin a corsage.
There was also a corsage for St Andrew MP George Payne, pinned by Jewel Barrow.
Just after 3:30 p.m., most of the small group standing outside filed in for admission to the Public Gallery, as Opposition and Government members continued to arrive in rapid succession.
It was 3:51 p.m. when Arthur, his black bag bearing the Budget reply in hand, and his wife Julie at his side, walked across the yard, followed by Gline Clarke, Pat Parris, Dale Marshall, George Payne and Dr William Duguid, and proceeded up the steps of Parliament.
Like the day before, former Opposition Leader Mia Mottley followed minutes after other members of her BLP Parliamentary group had gone ahead. She walked in chatting with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler and Democratic Labour Party member Cranston Browne.
The bell rang loud and long, signalling the House was in session and proceedings were about to begin. It had stopped ringing by 4 p.m. when MP2, carrying Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, drove up to the main door of Parliament, and he alighted and quickly made his way up the steps. (GC)
