DLP members back Thorne, criticise budget

A small but spirited crowd gathered in Palmetto Square on Tuesday afternoon to show their support for Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne ahead of his much-anticipated response to the Budget.

Arriving at approximately 2:50 p.m., Thorne was met with loud applause, cheers, and chants from his supporters. Demonstrating his ease with the crowd, he lifted a female supporter in an embrace, drawing even louder cheers.

In a brief interview before heading into Parliament, Thorne acknowledged the enthusiastic welcome and said he was ready to deliver his speech.

“With all this love, this is genuine. It feels good.”

Asked about his mindset going into the debate, he was direct: “What I plan to deliver? The truth.”

Pressed on how he was feeling, he responded: “My heart? Pumping. Pumping the adrenaline.”

While supporters expressed their admiration for Thorne, many were critical of the proposals delivered on Monday by Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn, who made his maiden Budget presentation.

Adrian Bascombe, a long-time member of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), stressed the importance of unity within the party.

“For me, support in any family is important. You’ve got to support your comrades,” he said. “It’s important to show solidarity so the people of Barbados can see that we are together and ready whenever that election bell is rung.”

But, he expressed disappointment in the Budget’s lack of focus on ordinary Barbadians.

“That Budget was not for us. That was for the higher echelons of society, the private sector—not for the people, the average man out here in the streets,” Bascombe said.

He criticised the government’s approach to public sector wages, stating: “If this Budget was truly about the people, we would have heard about an increase in salaries for police officers, teachers, and other public sector workers—not just a two per cent increase. What kind of increase is that? A $300 ‘solidarity allowance’ won’t even make a dent in rising supermarket prices.”

Former senator and ambassador to Canada, Yvonne Walkes, echoed concerns over the government’s handling of economic and social issues, including taxation, food prices, and the National Insurance Scheme.

“Ralph is an excellent leader, and we need to support him. But beyond that, this Budget is simply not speaking to the real concerns of Barbadians,” Walkes said.

She was particularly critical of the government’s selective approach to VAT reductions on food items.

“What is this about a few food items being exempt from VAT? There are so many basic necessities in supermarkets that remain untouched. Why are they playing around with four or five items when people are struggling to afford groceries?” she questioned.

On the proposed NIS adjustments, Walkes expressed frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles required for eligibility.

“Why make Barbadians jump through hoops to access relief? If you’re truly helping people, reduce the cost on their bills automatically. Why must they go searching for assistance?”

Walkes, a former trade unionist, also raised concerns over governance and accountability, particularly regarding the role of trade unions in Parliament.

“They talk about increasing the minimum wage by two per cent. Has anyone calculated what that really means? It’s mere cents but employers will simply cut workers’ hours to avoid paying the difference. And yet, we have a trade unionist in Parliament who has said nothing about this.”

She continued: “I personally think Mr Thorne should present his own Budget because what was given yesterday was nothing,” she said. “Barbadians need leadership that truly understands their struggles. We need answers on water access, food affordability, and fuel prices—issues that affect everyone daily.”

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb