Copyright trinidadexpress
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has condemned the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) for voting against the national budget, describing it as a shameful betrayal of the people. “Today, the UNC Government passed its first national budget, a progressive budget for rebuilding our nation, despite the disgraceful behaviour of the Opposition PNM,” said the Prime Minister in a statement to the media yesterday. The 2026 national budget was passed in Parliament yesterday, with 28 Government members voting in support, and 12 Opposition members voting against. The budget debate will move to the Senate this week. “I condemn in the strongest terms the shameful conduct of the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), who once again stood against the people of Trinidad and Tobago by voting against the Appropriation (Financial Year 2026) Bill, 2025—the people’s budget,” said Persad-Bissessar. She said the PNM had proven beyond any doubt that it remained true to its pattern of “destruction, obstruction, and emptiness”. “After nearly a decade of failure while in Government, they continue to offer nothing but negativity and deceit in Opposition. Their decision to vote against progress is not surprising—it is who they are and what they have become: a party without vision, compassion or shame,” she said. The Prime Minister said the PNM voted against increased salaries for public servants and other workers, adding: “They voted against children, expanded health care, laptops and upgrade to our schools and the country’s infrastructure. They voted against teachers, doctors and nurses who provide a labour of love. They voted against so many measures designed to help the people—and they did so brazenly, and joyfully. Shameful and disgraceful!” She pointed out that the budget debate collapsed last week because PNM MPs failed to rise and speak on behalf of their constituents. “They abandoned their duty then, and today they have failed the people once again,” she said. Persad-Bissessar described as disgraceful what she called the Opposition’s continued attempt to promote the “false and dangerous narrative” that the national budget is “fake and fraudulent”. “This is an outright lie. The budget my Government has presented is real, responsible, and progressive. It lays the groundwork for the rolling-out of our plans and policies to improve the quality of life for every citizen of this nation,” she said. She said while the PNM engaged in “theatrics and falsehoods”, her Government had been working diligently. Unparliamentary behaviour Persad-Bissessar said over the past week the Government demonstrated transparency and accountability during five full days of the Standing Finance Committee. “I made myself available and participated in those sessions because I believe the people deserve openness and truth from their leaders,” she said. The Prime Minister also criticised Opposition MP Stuart Young, accusing him of using race to divide the nation. “Sadly, what we saw from the Opposition was a disgraceful display of unparliamentary behaviour—particularly from a former short-term prime minister who seems determined to divide this country by playing the race card. The PNM has no moral or political ground to stand on when they attack a budget that puts people first,” she said. Appealing to citizens to reject the politics of hate and divisiveness, Persad-Bissessar said: “My Government is working for everyone—for every creed and every race, for every community, for every citizen who believes in progress, equality and opportunity.” She said while Parliament debated the people’s business, Government work continued. She announced that the National Recruitment Drive had already received over 110,000 applications, with interviews beginning this week. “In the first phase alone, 20,000 citizens will be employed. This is just the beginning as we continue to roll out our job-creation and national-development initiatives,” she said. The Prime Minister thanked the Government bench for their hard work and dedication in delivering “a people-centred, forward-thinking budget”. She concluded: “As your Prime Minister, I will continue to lead with compassion, courage and commitment. I give you my solemn assurance that under my leadership, the people will always come first. Our vision is clear, our plans are real, and our mission is to build a better, fairer and stronger Trinidad and Tobago for all.”
