7 News Belize

PUP Tries To Focus On Municipal Defeat Hangover
posted (March 11, 2015)

And so while the secret recording is still being translated and transcribed – and there will be days to come of revelations from it – the PUP, from what they told the media today, is going to act like none of this is happening; pretend that the recording is an internal party matter and that only they have heard the tape and its lurid allegations. Of course, that is an Alice in Wonderland position, and most likely an untenable one as the public curiosity about Mr. Briceno's revelations is at a fever pitch. People have been asking us all day to post all the transcripts and all the contents so that the public can hear it. Not so easily done, since the secret recording is of a poor quality – and, again, it is 65 minutes long.

But, today the PUP party leader – voluntarily made no direct reference to it – and only spoke of the recording when he was pressed to do so. What he did want to talk about was the original main agenda item for today's meeting – and, that is, the party's post mortem on the disastrous result from last week's municipal election.

Fonseca told the press that the PUP has a lot of work to do…

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition

"The results of the municipal elections show very clearly that we have a lot of work to do. I understand that as the leader and we're all in the process of self examination. The entire party is in that process of self examination and we're going to fix it - and I want to say to all our supporters out there, and all the Belizean people. We know, that especially our supporters are feeling demoralised, they feel let down, they're feeling down. We are saying to them, that the leadership of your party today has met. We understand the challenges and problems that exist in our party - and we're going to fix those problems and challenges and we're going to move forward. And we will believe you will see a much more vibrant, a much more dynamic, a much more united PUP. So thank you ladies and gentlemen. That ends our statements that we want to."

Reporter

"However sir, while the message that you are putting out here, that you as the party leader enjoy the confidence of all your standard bearers. The perception out there of many people is that under your leadership you cannot bring the party into a unity that is required to win the next general election. What do you say to those people out there, your supporters, who do not enjoy your confidence as party leader?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca

"That's the issue i've addressed today. I said we discussed that in a very open and frank way. It's no secret yes, that the PUP has had challenges with the issue of unity - it goes back to, as far back as 2006. We understand that, we recognise that. Our commitment, and I think the election results, if you like, were a wake up call to all of us that we have to fix those problems."

Reporter

"Sir, how would you describe it? Is it the major overhaul that is required?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca

"Well, as I said, we need to look at everything, we need to review everything - every level of the party. We're prepared to look at what is working, what is not working. The organisation of the party, the units of the party, the structure of the party. All of that was open for discussion today."

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