The general debate on the 2016 budget is now over. It was to be confined to the financial and economic state of the country and the general principles of Government policy and administration, as outlined in the Finance Minister’s budget speech and in the Estimates. One disappointing aspect towards the end of the debate was the staging of a walk-out by Opposition Members after the Opposition Leader had spoken. The issue at hand was the decision last August for the Prime Minister to be the penultimate speaker, instead of the Opposition Leader.
Standing Order 71(2) states that “After Members have spoken and the Minister has replied, or at the end of the Sitting on the last day allotted (whichever is earlier), the debate in the Assembly shall be concluded…” There is therefore no clear guidance on the matter. However,