Opposition spokesman on finance Mark Golding making his maiden budget presentation in that capacity in the House of Representatives last week. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

In his inaugural budget speech as shadow Minister of Finance, Opposition MP Mark Golding made some important suggestions that should not be lost to the typically adversarial parliamentary process.

In a section entitled “Our philosophy on inclusive growth”, he noted that “both political parties must be involved in this process for it to be successful, and for that to happen will require authentic bipartisanship deliberately fostered in the national interest.”

He further observed “Authentic bipartisanship means honest dealings with each other, both in meetings where the public is not present and in the public domain. Mere lip-service will achieve nothing positive. Nice sounding words are too often undermined by behaviour that remains tribal and divisive. Both sides are guilty of that. We must turn the page and move beyond that approach to our politics.” We agree.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sunday-finance/some-bipartisan-suggestions_128118

 

 

A CALL FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

His starting suggestion was to broaden the conversation about growth.

“We see the drive for growth as part of a broader vision of national development involving the active participation by all stakeholders who make up our society. The small businesses, the farmers, the trade unions, the transport operators, the public service, the churches, the entertainers who are so influential over the minds of our youth. All of these groups need to be brought into a truly national drive for higher levels of economic growth, as part of a strengthened participatory democracy.”