There was general resignation to whatever was presented in the Budgetary Proposals among the modest crowd assembled outside Parliament Buildings earlier today.
With less than an hour to go before Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler was scheduled to deliver the financial statement and budgetary proposals for 2011-2012, it was mostly quiet in the perimeters of the Public Buildings yard except for the arrival of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and other ministers who were noisily greeted by the sparse numbers waiting to enter the public gallery.
There were also cheers for Member of Parliament for St John Mara Thompson, widow of the late Prime Minister David Thompson, attending her first budget presentation as an MP, while most of the other Members of Parliament arrived without fanfare.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Leader of the Opposition Owen Arthur brought up the rear, following other Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Members of Parliament as they walked across the yard towards the House of Assembly.
Former Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley and MP for St Thomas Cynthia Forde were not among this group, but entered the Chamber together.
A few people gathered on the outside of Parliament gates shared their expectations of the Budget, with one woman remarking: “Whatever I hear, I hear, because I cannot change it. I just have to accept whatever comes out of today’s talks and maybe tighten my belt a little.” (GC/LK)
