Budget focus should be on policy, not the presenter- Analysts

Barbados’ upcoming national Budget will stick to the country’s financial obligations under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, regardless of who delivers it, according to economist Professor Don Marshall.

His remarks came as Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn will present the Budget — formally known as the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals — on March 10 in her place. 

The University of the West Indies professor dismissed speculation over the significance of this revelation, stating that the focus should be on policy, not the presenter. 

“The Budget should be read as the latest instalment in a continuum of budgetary measures coming out of the arrangements between the Government of Barbados and the IMF,” he said. 

“So it doesn’t really matter who is presenting that Budget in the technical sense, because the Budget would be corresponding to understanding the BERT-IMF relationship and the everyday needs of the island.” 

He further noted that Straughn is well acquainted with Barbados’ economic roadmap and is “privy to the requirements under the IMF arrangements with Barbados.” 

Marshall acknowledged that Mottley’s delivery of previous budgets brought a level of political spectacle but insisted that the real issue remains the government’s fiscal strategy. 

“It really is not much, by way of a significant change, except, of course, that the drama and theatre that normally is associated with the event — where the minister of finance, who often is the prime minister, presents — will be missing,” he said. 

“But ultimately, it really comes down to an assessment of what this latest instalment means for stakeholders in the country, as well as what it says about the government’s commitment to BERT.” 

Weighing in, political analysts speaking to Barbados TODAY described the move as “neither unprecedented nor unusual” in Barbados’ recent political history, further describing it as part of Mottley’s power-sharing approach within her administration. 

Political Scientist Devaron Bruce pointed out that the minister of finance and the prime minister have historically been the same person. An exception was Freundel Stuart’s administration when then-finance minister Chris Sinckler delivered the Budget. 

He suggested that the move reflects Mottley’s strategy of strengthening leadership within the Barbados Labour Party (BLP): “It seems to be a bit of power-sharing.” 

“I’ve been observing where she’s taking a step back at the national level, and I assume to allow room for growth for other individuals — Minister Straughn in this instance, Senator Chad Blackman in other instances,” he said, also pointing to Mottley’s recent Cabinet reshuffle. 

“So it may be a bit of succession planning and allowing her MPs to grow . . . . So maybe it’s a way to show not just a BLP led by Mia Mottley but a strong BLP [overall].” 

Bruce, however, added that Barbadians are ultimately more interested in policy measures being announced — such as tax cuts or hikes — rather than who delivers them. 

Political Analyst Peter Wickham also downplayed suggestions that the shift was highly unusual, describing it instead as a practical decision given Straughn’s role in managing government finances. 

“That’s entirely in keeping with expectations. You recall that in the past, Prime Minister Mottley delivered a budget when Owen Arthur was shadow minister of finance. And indeed, in his office while he was prime minister, he would have acted similarly. It’s nothing unusual or unprecedented,” he said. 

“The fact is that you have a Ministry of Finance in which you have two full ministers, and it’s not unreasonable that one of them would deliver the Budget,” he said. 

Wickham suggested that Mottley’s regional responsibilities, particularly as chair of CARICOM, may have also influenced her decision. 

“Naturally, there’s a lot going on, and Straughn would have taken the government through the Estimates procedures. So I think it’s entirely reasonable that he would have the opportunity to present the Budget. So we look forward to great things from him,” he said, adding: “It’s fairly clear that [Straughn] is shaping up to be a potential minister of finance.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb