Clarke Slams Robinson Over Budget Response

March 24, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

The Finance Minister Dr. The Honourable Nigel Clarke in closing the debate on the 23 RD March 2021 yesterday.  The Finance my minister said inter alia:

Your stats is unreliable. You quoted outdated figures.  For example the list of food items that makes up your basket is faulty. You got only one item correctly. Chicken back. We plan to fix that problem.”

The devastating attack did not stop there. Minister Dr Nigel Clarke was devastating. He went on:

“When in a glass house you don’t throw stones. This is a glass house sprinkled with golden dust.  The figures presented by Opposition spokesman Robinson was faulty data from a US based international organization. They have since apologized by letter for their error.”

Dr. Clarke concluded in his attack.

Political Showmanship

This was a excellent display of Political showmanship by Dr. Nigel Clarke, Finance Minister.  This is good, but we need to understand that this is a debate that is critical to national life. Robinson has to serve on his dish that which he is sold to him by as confirmed by Clarke an international body (a). The Opposition Spokesman got information from a supposedly reliable source.  Robinson was not expected to doubt the source of his information. We all understand that very well.

“Arrogant and dangerous” is how Opposition spokesman on Finance MP Julian Robinson PNP,  has blasted Dr. Nigel Clarke Finance Minister’s utterances attacking (his) Robinson’s budget presentation.

Robinson said that Clarke’s criticism is personal as it relates to the IADB.  Data that does not suit his case is dismissed.  The Opposition Spokesman says he will not accept Clarke’s assessment. The Inter American Development Bank (IADB). reports that food poverty is on the rise in the region including Jamaica. Also Funds spent before the budget is being  included in post COVID-19 expenses. Jamaica spent so far 1.2 percent of GDP on COVID. In the region an average of 5 percent is being spent. Jamaica us the lowest.  To say otherwise according to Robinson:

 “This is disingenuous.”

Food Poverty

“Local study group known as the Caribbean Policy Research Institute

(CAPRI) Study shows that 45 percent of persons surveyed confirms that food poverty has increased in recent times, based on their study and local surveys. It is difficult to dismiss that study.”

Robinson was comprehensive in his response at a Press Conference called today March 24, 2021.

United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA).

“US Agriculture study shows that food poverty has also increased in Jamaica in recent times.  Yet the Finance Minister Dr.  The Honourable Nigel Clarke has dismissed these studies, because it does not suit his purposes.”

“We await IMF report”

Concluded Julian Robinson in his rebuttal of Minister Clarke’s closing of the debate in Parliament on Tuesday March 23, 2021.

Dr. Henley Morgan

Dr. Henley Morgan speaking in his weekly commentary as if he was entering the debate aired on NNN radio on Wednesdays said inter alia:

“Attacking childhood poverty has great dividends down the road. Study shows better education and greater social mobility help to produce lower crime levels later in these students and the society. “

The noted social commentator opined inter alia:

There was the promotion of the basket of groceries, and theatrics like glasshouse and stone throwing were brought into the mix.

Was all that necessary? You be the judge.

Commentary

We think the Government needs to respect the role of the Opposition.  Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition should not be undermined in any shape or form. This is not good for our democracy  We need a strong Parliament and an active Opposition. We have to be very careful we do not undermine our democratic system.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  The JLP has already has a super majority in parliament. They have to be careful.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a student of politics and a veteran journalist with International exposure.