By Barbara Ellington, Gleaner Writer 
Surrounded by colleagues and friends Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga and Dr. Mavis Gilmore, participate in a cake cutting exercise. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THURSDAY'S AFTER-Budget cocktail party held at the St. Andrew home of Robert McMillan, saw Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and wife, Carla, still basking in the afterglow of what is being hailed as one of the most brilliant and well researched budget speeches. He had made his contribution in Parliament earlier in the afternoon.
Many gushed accolades, shook his hand, slapped his back and mouthed comments such as: "this could have earned a PhD"; "I actually took notes"; "excellent presentation": 'constructive rather than critical" and "brilliantly researched".
It was a night when reformists and the old guard smiled and rubbed shoulders and felt very proud to be Labourites. So high were the emotions that one guest remarked, "It felt like we were the Government."
Hosts, the McMillans mingled with guests making sure that everyone was adequately watered and fed. The list included several members of the diplomatic corps, media representatives and members of the business community.
SCORES OF GUESTS
Among the scores of guests, we saw the ever elegant Dr. Mavis Gilmour who has now resettled in the land of her birth; Kinglsey Thomas, who was kept busy accepting kudos for his National Housing Trust and Highway 2000 achievements; Hydel's Hyacinth Bennett looking elegant in a flame-coloured tailored suit; Captain Horace Burrell, always impeccably dressed and looking forward to his May date in Grenada; and Faye Tortello, the ever faithful and supportive sister of Edward Seaga. She was still accepting congratulations on behalf of her recently wed daughter, Rebecca.
Highlight of the party was a cake-cutting exercise in which Mr. Seaga was joined by his wife Carla and son Christopher.
And, as the curtain fell on the extended cocktail hour, a few guests bade farewell in "anticipation" of an invitation to the Prime Minister's after-Budget cocktails next week at the same time but in a different location.
