7 News Belize

PM Going Through "Dark Night Of The Soul" With Misbehaving Ministers
posted (February 5, 2014)

And if that candor wasn't startling enough, the PM also spoke about the political difficulties within his own party.  When asked whether he's spending time focusing on the opposition, or on internal problems in the UDP -; the PM said it's the latter, and gave the clear impression that he's going through a kind of dark night of the soul:

Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"There are times when indeed I feel that my troubles are being caused more by the difficulties that the behaviour or the actions of some of my ministers, the difficulties, that sort of behaviour has resulted in. I am very worried indeed because I am absolutely convinced that the Government is doing a phenomenal job, with respect to the kind of public spending that I've told you about, with respect to the improvement in the quality of life, with respect to employment creation, with respect to the success against crime, with respect to being able to solve the huge issues of the day, ASR/BSI/BSCFA, the Superbond, matters that are extremely weighty and critical in terms of the national interests. And on that basis, I would have felt that notwithstanding the well-known difficulties of anybody trying to get a third term, and which would have to be present in any case. I would have felt that at this early juncture, we would have been able to feel pretty good about where we are, delivering goods and services, making sure that people can see tangible improvements. But, there is no doubt at all in my mind, that the scandals have threatened to swamp us, that they have threatened to cause us to come undone, and natural that is a source of great regret because to some extent, it is self-inflicted. I have been personally, extremely hurt because I at the top of the pyramid, run completely straight, and that, I believe is well-known. But, when indeed, I have to defend or appear to be defending behaviour that is the opposite of straight, my personal credibility takes a great hit. So, I am distraught on behalf of my party, and I am distraught on my own behalf. I've said to my colleagues, over and over and over again that we really need to get on top of this. I will never be able to stop people from behaving in a way that is untoward. All I can do, is to repeat my promise that when it happens, and I learn of it, I will take action. I fully understand that if it happens once, twice, thrice, 4 times, 5 times, 10 times, it doesn't matter what action I take. It will cause my administration to come unstuck."

And if you thought he was just speaking out of turn, the PM says he intends to expand on these personally troubling themes in an extended interview at a later date...

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize