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Jules Vasquez
"Are you all financing wise in a worse situation that you were going into this election with a 1700 vote swing?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"No Jules, I don't think so. I think we certainly as I said earlier, it's a critical factor, a critical issue which I take responsibility for and that means we have to get out there and work harder on that issue. I have to work harder on that issue which I will admit and confess that it's not something I am comfortable with and like to do, but obviously it's something I have to address in a more aggressive manner."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, I was around in 1996 when the PUP was in opposition. I mention it because its two years before the general then and the PUP was flushed with money. The PUP had money. The PUP was far outspending the UDP. I'm saying how much is it a symptom of your leadership that the PUP appears to be continually unable to attract funds."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"The issue of money yes, you are right. I have taken the approach that I want to be very if you like selective. I want to be very careful in how we approach raising of campaign finance. So, we have to look at all of that. As I said, what's critically important is that we have to get more people involved in that process, so that yes, we can have more funds. I don't know that we'll ever return to the days of 96 or 97 or 98 that you talked about and I don't know that I want to, but I am absolutely confident that we will be able to have the resources available as a party that we need to fight all future elections."

And so while the PUP plans to go harder on fundraising, it has to do so now because municipals are only 7 weeks away. While yesterday's outcome would seem to bode poorly for the PUP - Fonseca stressed that the Cayo North by election had its own internal logic and it is not indicative of a pro government trend:...

Jules Vasquez
"And the pendulum swings and invariable against the incumbent, history has shown. This is the first time that the pendulum seems to be swinging the wrong way and the blame for this then has to fall squarely on your shoulder as leader of PUP. How is it that in the 8 year of 10, the UDP is able to secure such a huge victory in a seat that you had - a seat that you controlled?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"As I said, I take ownership and responsibility, but we all know there are specific circumstances which surrounded this by-election and as I said we have to look at all the factors. I take responsibility, but I am absolutely confident, you talk about the pendulum - I am absolutely convinced that the national pendulum - Cayo North is in my view an isolated factor of event. The national pendulum is swinging strongly in favor of the People' United Party and I think any general election that is call will show that very clearly and I think we will begin to see that in the municipal elections."

Jules Vasquez
"But right in the shadow of Cayo North East, the resentment against the PUP by its own supporters seems to be greater that the resentment against the government that's incumbent which usually it's the government everyone is out to get. But in this case it seems that it's the PUP supporters who are upset with their own party because they didn't come out."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I think that's a fair comment and again, that's got to be a part of the analysis. I think it's absolutely fair to make that point that PUP supporters did not turn out to vote on election day. Some attribute that to people being upset with Mr. Mahmud's resignation. We can't forget that we ask people to support a PUP candidate in 2012. We went out, campaign for that candidate, ask the people of Cayo North to place their trust and confidence in that candidate and then two years later that candidate turn his back on those very same people. And people were angry and upset and people told me so myself when I was out in Cayo North. So we can't ignore that. That's the reality. So that's one factor that some people just were angry at what Mr. Mahmud did and took it out on the party and said we're not."

Jules Vasquez
"Shouldn't you have reached out to him to try to save that seat? This is something that has never happen before. This is the first time. There has to be something going on there sir."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"We've had this discussion before Jules and I said again, I am absolutely comfortable with everything that took place with Mr. Mahmud and I don't regret any decision I took as it relates to Joseph Mahmud."