The People’s Democratic Movement held their press conference in Provo earlier in the week where they covered a variety of public interest while addressing others.
Yesterday RTC focused on the crimes in the country and the 15 point plan that the Leader of the Opposition put forward.
In revisiting the press conference and looking at the budget, the leader of the opposition had this to say:
BUDGET
The recent passed Budget has not yet been addressed in full by its crafters and we will use every opportunity to inform the people of this country as to the failings of the recently passed Budget.
In 2012, the people of this country welcomed its own elected Government and because of the poor performance of this Government, many have turned to the Opposition to govern and use powers that it does not have. We however remain committed to our role of providing oversight and to bring the issues to the people of this country.
The issues of 2012 remain the same and have large not been addressed by this Government. Too many of our people remain without work and this recent Budget while it talks of impending growth or growth to come, its own numbers do not show growth in any real way in any sector. The failure of this Government to announce any single project this year is very telling and we maintain that investor confidence does have a lot to do with it. This Government’s approach to create a very uncertain business climate with sporadic taxes and their commitment to increase the cost of living and doing business was not a welcome mat for any investor and certainly a stifler and killer for existing businesses. While the Minister days that his Government has created over 1000 businesses in its 3 years, he has failed to say how many have had to close its doors while he boasted of an upturn in the economy and he has also failed to police so as to discover how many more have gone underground and are operating without license. Whilst there may have been growth particularly in the tourism sector, we are concerned with this Government’s heavy reliance on this sector and its failure to make real steps towards diversifying the tourism product and the economy on a whole.
We recognize that this country has stabilized its revenues at about $250 million having realized $264m last year and projecting $255m this year. We also wish to inform the people that this country has always been making monies and that the failure has been with this Government not being able to capitalize on it for its people.
With crime on the increase, this Budget still not address the resources that is needed with a projected 20 man increase and a revelation that the costs of these persons will be shared with Grace Bay. And while we welcome partnerships, this is a statement within itself and we await the assignment of the Officers. Make no mistake we stand ready to support the increase in patrol of our tourist areas but also equally our residential areas.
Last year, the Police placed our youth at the center of the crime spree and this Government has not released one real program or real funding that will demonstrate a commitment to the seemingly misguided, idle youth of the land. One of the many reports that this Government sat on since being elected was the SLA Report which revealed that youth was the largest group living on or below the poverty rate. Another recent report shows that our youth are among the fastest growing group of new infections and consistently over the years, they have made up the largest group in the prison population.
Our youth need real attention, real opportunities and a country that realizes that they are important and are not only are the leaders of tomorrow but are indeed the co – leaders of today. The recent Budget allocated a mere $590,000 for the Youth Department while budgeting some $2.8m for local travel just by comparison.
A Government that touts that it is the most patriotic have also allocated a meagre $417,000 for Culture of which $200,000 was salaries. Our people need to be reminded of who we are as people and our youth need to be assured of an identity that they can be proud of.
Our people’s other major concern is the amount of money that we continue to invest in healthcare while our Primary healthcare continues to be under resourced.
Our other major concern is the fact that this Government continues to use work permits as one of its highest revenue earners with line items in its budget exceeding targets by 1 million and 3 million dollars.
Our people deserve a Budget that benefits them and truly empowers them through education, jobs and home and business ownership.
Two issues that this Government has already tried to use to manipulate the people of this country is its budgeted $37m in projects. We have termed the project boast as recycled projects having seen many of these in the Budget over the years and now putting them all in one year – Election Year to campaign with the people’s money. Our people are wise to this fact and we will continue to remind them that no Constitution or CFO or Finance Laws stopped this government neither has there been and changes. Secondly this Government will boast on its projected spending in education this year. This Government has allowed our schools to continue to fall apart and as recent as last week, a class had to be relocated at CHHS due to crumbling infrastructure. A PDM Government will ensure the regular maintenance of schools and Government buildings to ensure safe places to learn and work, conducive to the goal of productivity.
IMMIGRATION
The Peoples Democratic Movement welcomes and supports modernized legislation and systems for the effective running of our Border Control. We recognize that legal and illegal immigration is at the root of many of our problems when it is not managed properly. We also recognize that the passage of legislation is only the beginning towards a comprehensive system and we believe that there remains a need for a total overhaul of not just the legislation but the system and resources. This Government continues to introduce legislation with no real resources and therefore no real intention to enforce or give full effect to laws.
The coming into effect of the Immigration Laws was well overdue but not entirely in the interest of our people. The PDM since 2004 has been committed to the passage of new laws that will seek to manage better our borders by creating a comprehensive system that will be supported in law and policed with adequate resources. We welcome a clear and objective path to citizenship through the grant of citizenship recognizing that there are those among us who have made invaluable contributions to our country.
We however believe that TCI if designed can be a top class world country and that we believe that as we grow our population by these means, we should do so from an informed position and grow it with the skills and persons that will position us for greatness. To this end we remain disappointed that the valuable information that could be used from the Census exercise completed since 2012 and from which we had hoped to design a population policy that would inform a progressive but a custom made immigration law and system.
We must state our objection to the Government’s decision to shut down the majority of services offered by the Immigration Department on the coming into law of its Immigration Bills in order to carry out training and public education for a bill that has been passed for months. We believe that business should not be interrupted and that time allowed for a smoother transitioning. This Government proves over and over that it Is just bad for business and this is why there are no investors knocking down our doors and exactly why there has not be one major project begun and completed under this Government.
PARTY MESSAGE
Our Party Message is simple.
Governments are elected to improve the life of its people.
This Government has failed miserably as many of our people are left suffering, hopeless and some have left these Islands.
The PNP claim progress because of surplus and for paying off their debt but they have increased surpluses by deliberately underspending: leaving critical positions unfilled in the civil service and by leaving important projects undone. They will go down in history as the government that passed the most taxes ever and placing the greatest hardship on its people through mean decisions. While they do this, they have allowed the country to fall apart and for our people’s spirit to be broken.
They did not make tough decisions, they made mean decisions. There was no need for Payroll Tax or VAT, greater compliance was needed.
Their hands were not tied by the Constitution nor any law or person. They made money and spent it on a failing healthcare system, travel and their own priorities. Government had fat bank accounts while people continue to not have food in their cupboards. When the Government had a choice to make between the people and the bottom line, the bottom line always won.
They say that they have made progress but the people of this country are shouting back progress for who? The Premier says that we are all happy. The Minister of Finance says that we have moved from distress to success. The Premier has said that we have moved from austerity to prosperity. We ask who is successful? Who has seen prosperity? Who is truly happy?
TALKING TO THE PEOPLE
We are committed to carrying the message to the people and have released our Schedule of Public Meetings which will be followed closely by a series of Town Halls where we will sit and share our plans as well as hear from our people. As we are committed to people centered development, we must engage in people centered dialogue.
OUR RECORD
We are aware that many people are disappointed in its elected Government and we are as well. We are not the Government and while many will try to manipulate by saying that we are one in the same, it is not so. We have had our role to play and no one can deny that we have been vocal and visible as well as the fact that we have kept the people informed on the issues and have kept this Government’s feet to the fire.
Whilst our role has been that of a watchdog, we have worked with the Government when it was in the best interest of our people and we have fought them when it was in the best interest of our people and we make no apology for that. We have always listened to our people and acted in their best interest.
We believe that after nearly 13 years, this country is ready for a change. It is ready for a PDM Government and we are not only ready but we are willing and capable of the service that our people crave.
Our vision and plan for our country will cause our people to be proud again and will not continue the exodus and brain drain that we are currently experiencing.
