Finance Minister Fayval Williams, in her maiden budget speech on Tuesday, sought early to draw a clear distinction between the Andrew Holness administration and past governments, declaring that Jamaica would not return to reckless spending to win elections.

"The significance of this budget is that it is happening in an election year, but it is also a budget that comes after many years of discipline in managing the country’s financial affairs," she said, referring to the general election due by September.

However, Williams insisted that the administration would not engage in excessive spending.

“We, on this side, are not a ‘run wid it’ government! We are a responsible government!” Williams declared as she delivered her address in the House of Representatives, cementing her achievement as the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Finance and the Public Service in Jamaica.

The phrase "run wid it" has been used by local commentators in reference to former People's National Party (PNP) finance minister Dr. Omar Davies, whose statements following the 2002 general election suggested that he allowed ill-advised spending to help secure the PNP’s return to power.

"Those early years of learning fiscal discipline were the equivalent of the government of the day riding a child’s bicycle with training wheels," Williams said.

She added that under the Holness administration, "we have been riding a ‘big-people’ bicycle, and we are balanced on the ‘big-people’ bicycle with our own weight, managing the complexities of Jamaica’s budget with its many competing demands, all the while navigating the pressures of politics!"

Government and Opposition members banged their desks as Williams was invited by House Speaker Juliet Holness to open the budget debate for the upcoming 2025-2026 financial year, which begins on April 1.

The speech is expected to outline how the Government will fund the proposed $1.3 trillion budget.

It also comes weeks after the country confirmed two consecutive quarters of economic decline, although experts and Williams insist that the economy remains strong.

In opening her address, Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the trailblazing women who paved the way for her historic appointment.

"I am very aware that I stand on the shoulders of all the women before me who have occupied high offices in government. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a voice for our women and girls," said Williams, who was appointed in October last year to replace Dr Nigel Clarke.

Williams also praised Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness for appointing women to key leadership roles.

She reflected on her journey to the historic role, which began in the rural community of Tydixon in St Catherine, where she attended Ms. Ivy Long’s Basic School and later the government-run Tydixon Primary School.

"Some of the people from Tydixon are here to support me—one of their own, who has come from among them to become the first female Minister of Finance and the Public Service in Jamaica," said Williams, who is a two-term Member of Parliament for St Andrew Eastern.

A pillar of her upbringing was the Tydixon Seventh Day Baptist Church, where her father served as a deacon for many years.

"There was absolutely no story my brothers, sisters, or I could concoct that would make our parents say, ‘Okay, you don’t have to go to church today.’ Even if we had to go on a stretcher, we had to go! Thank you, Tydixon Seventh Day Baptist Church, for instilling lessons that continue to shape my character and guide my footsteps!"

Students from Ferncourt High in St Ann, where Williams attended, and Papine High, which is in her constituency, were present at Gordon House.