Residents in The City of Bridgetown expressed mixed reactions to the Budget delivered in Parliament on Monday. While a few of the proposed measures were welcomed, others felt disconnected from the process.
On Tuesday, Barbados TODAY took to the streets of Bridgetown to gauge how the Barbadian public felt about the decisions that were made.
For some, the Budget struck a positive chord. Hal Jordan, who admitted he did not hear the full presentation, said the portions he did catch left him optimistic, particularly the proposed incentives in agriculture.
“I’m very pleased about that,” he said, referencing planned support for honey production, which he noted was a new and welcome initiative.
When asked what the government missed or failed to address, Margaret St Hill said she believed the only thing that was not discussed was God. She said: “Get God more involved and everything will work out fully.”
Gerald Small, who recently returned to Barbados after living in Canada, pointed to a broader issue of accountability, noting that while citizens elect leaders to represent them, dissatisfaction is often directed squarely at the government when expectations are not met.
There were not many people who were aware of the Budget Speech, according to some members of the public. Several individuals, particularly elderly residents, indicated they had not yet heard the Budget presentation on Monday.
An elderly man known only as David spoke of a disconnect between himself and the Budget measures outlined. “In my opinion, the Budget ain’t for the man.”
As debate on the Budget continues in Parliament, attention will now turn to how effectively the proposed measures resonate with and impact the wider population.
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