Opposition Senator Keisal Peters has delivered a blistering indictment of the 2026 Estimates, dismantling the new administration’s fiscal roadmap as a calculated “breach of faith” with the Vincentian people. In a commanding parliamentary contribution, Senator Peters exposed the chasm between the administration’s “overwhelming mandate” rhetoric and the reality of a budget that abandons the vulnerable, ignores campaign pledges, and sacrifices national sovereignty.
Peters dismantled the administration’s claim of fiscal prudence, pointing to a macroeconomic framework that leans dangerously on unprecedented borrowing. She highlighted the alarming reality that the current deficit in these estimates exceeds the last four years combined—with millions to spare. While the administration previously campaigned against debt as a crisis, they are now “sprinting” toward it, with local loans reportedly jumping to a staggering $200 billion, an unsustainable leap that threatens the country’s long-term economic stability.
Furthermore, Peters exposed the administration’s staggering hypocrisy regarding “Other Receipts.” Previously dismissed as “fraudulent” by current government members while they sat in opposition, these same receipts are now being utilized as a primary financing tool. “It was fraudulent when you were in opposition, but it is now called ‘finance’ now that you are in government,” the Senator remarked, noting that the administration is currently trapped “between ignorance and arrogance.”
| Campaign Promises | 2026 Estimate Realities |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Responsibility | Current deficit exceeds the last four years combined. |
| Debt Control | Local loans have jumped to an unsustainable $200 billion. |
| Relief for the People | No indication of wage increases, salary hikes, or income tax cuts. |
| Transparent Financing | Reliance on “Other Receipts”—previously labeled “fraudulent” by this administration. |
Peters said the most devastating aspect of the 2026 Estimates is the systematic gutting of social services and argued that government-led housing and youth initiatives are essential for social stability, yet these estimates prioritize bureaucracy over the most marginalized.
The Senator specifically targeted the $8 million cut to building materials—slashed from $12 million to a mere $4 million—and the overall reduction of the housing budget to $39 million. This fiscal retreat has immediate, dire consequences:
• The February 1st Deadline: The Senator highlighted the plight of victims affected by Hurricane Beryl who are currently in paid accommodations. These citizens have received notices to vacate by February 1st, yet the slashed housing budget offers no clear path for their resettlement. “The people will be on the streets,” the Senator warned, contrasting the government’s “arrogance” with the uncertainty facing Beryl victims.
• Abolition of Youth Voice: The Prime Ministerial Youth Advisory Council has been purged from the estimates, silencing the direct line between the youth and the executive.
• From Grants to Debt: The “PRIME” program, which once empowered young creatives with essential grants, has been gutted. It is being replaced by a meager $500,000 loan system, forcing young entrepreneurs to start their professional lives burdened by debt.
Peters challenged the administration’s lack of a viable growth strategy, noting that the estimates provide no indicators for job creation or genuine economic expansion. Instead, the budget focuses on “patching” existing infrastructure rather than building new drivers for prosperity, specifically noting the neglect of West Kingstown, where no new projects were identified.
A central point of contention was the “nominal $10” allocation for the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program under the Office of the Prime Minister. Peters demanded transparency on the program’s rollout, questioning the lack of provisions for staffing and oversight. “Are we going to leave it to somebody outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to oversee it?” she asked, suggesting that a lack of local management structure hints at a dangerous surrender of national sovereignty to external interests.
The Senator further critiqued the reorganization of government ministries, arguing that “structure must follow function.” She characterized the new National Heritage and Creative Industries portfolios as “in name only.” Despite the grand titles, the Creative Industries department lacks dedicated funding and staffing, while the National Heritage portfolio fails to provide for iconic sites like Chatoyer Park—named for the nation’s only national hero—and Baliceaux , a site of profound historical significance.
Senator Peters concluded her contribution by affirming her commitment to the people over political convenience.
“These estimates have broken faith with the people. It will affect the workers, the families, and those whose houses need repair. I cannot, in good conscience, support these estimates as they stand. You cannot distance yourself from this document; this is what you have presented to the people, and it is the people who will suffer the consequences of your arrogance.”