Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne last night called for the full enforcement of integrity in public life legislation and publicly declared his own assets, while challenging the Government to do the same, as he addressed the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) manifesto launch at Gall Hill, St John.
Speaking for more than an hour to a large crowd of supporters who remained rapt despite intermittent rainfall, Thorne insisted that transparency and accountability must be restored to public life, arguing that Barbadians had a right to know how their tax dollars were being spent and by whom.
“I declare my assets tonight,” Thorne told the gathering, before outlining bank accounts held locally and overseas, his two vehicles and other financial interests. He said the disclosure would be put in writing and made available to the media.
“All of this I am going to write to the nation of Barbados. If the media houses want it in writing, they can get it,” he said.
Framing his declaration as a matter of principle rather than personal defence, Thorne challenged the Barbados Labour Party administration to do likewise.
“We are asking on behalf of the taxpayers of this country. We are asking on behalf of the children in this country who cannot get adequate welfare payments,” Thorne said, arguing that scrutiny of public finances was necessary where concerns existed about how State funds were being managed.
“We have come here tonight to complain that your tax dollars are being squandered,” he declared.
Thorne also revisited what he described as the improper disclosure of his personal financial affairs in Parliament, saying it was an attempt to distract from substantive criticism of Government borrowing.
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