LETTER | Budget vote - what exactly is going on?

LETTER | So many things that I am hearing about Budget 2021 just do not make sense. 

Is the Budget 2021 a good budget for the people? Simple, if it is good, it should be supported. If it is not good, it should be rejected.

I heard the finance minister has made some concessions to accommodate the views of the opposition. Because of that, the opposition has decided to “allow” the passage of the budget at the policy stage. 

The opposition then said they will relook at the budget at the committee stage later and if necessary, they will “reject” the budget at that stage.

I think the gist of the matter is that does the opposition have the numbers to accept or reject the budget? If it does not have the numbers, why talk about policy or committee stage? Accepting and rejecting the budget at policy and committee stages would require the same “magic” number.

However, there is a possibility that the opposition may have the numbers now but they are not disclosing it for some strategic reason.

I just find it odd the opposition can’t even get their strategy properly implemented when the second reading of the budget was called. It was reported that only 13 MPs stood up when 15 MPs were required to trigger the vote by individual MPs. Was this coincidental or orchestrated?

Opposition supporters would think that this was deliberate. They believe the opposition has got the numbers but was not showing it for now due to some strategic reason.

However, many actually think that the opposition does not have the numbers to reject the budget. So, it is better for them to continue “playing the game” to extract as many concessions as possible from the government. Once a division is called, the cards are shown and the game is over.

Be that as it may, the country is deeply divided. The situation is fluid and that makes the allegiance of MPs very volatile.

But don’t get it wrong; MPs switching allegiance is not due to policy differences in protecting national interests, race or religion. 

The MPs are essentially meshed up in self-preservation, with some enjoying the perks, others trying to extricate themselves from court cases and some trying to get onto the gravy train.   

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