7 News Belize

PUP Women Standing By Hon. Fonseca
posted (July 27, 2015)
And while Candidate Shoman had a scolding for us - she Held back when it came to her colleagues, the dissenting dozen. That was at a women's group press conference, held ostensibly to talk about national issues but the real agenda was something more like that old Tammy Wynette song, "Stand By Your Man" - the man in this case being their leader Francis Fonseca - who trotted out the ladies first. Jules Vasquez reports:

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"So today we have women who have been engaged in the political process for many years and who are here to give you their perspective on what is happening."

Jules Vasquez reporting
But what is happening? The PUP's top women personalities were at the table but no one really wanted to say - what the event was really about.

Instead the press was subjected to a stream of political stump speeches that skirted around the central issue - these good women were here to support their great leader:

Yasmin Shoman, PUP Std. Bearer - Collet
"My full unconditional and unwavering support for our party leader, my area representative, my friend the Hon, Francis Fonseca."

Dorla Vaughan, Std. Bearer - Mesopotamia
"Today we stand united with Hon. Francis Fonseca. We move forward."

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"We have a party leader who listens, who is prepared to consult with all levels of the party and all party organs."

And that consultation theme is a backhanded slight at the mini-rebellion - and its leaders: John Briceno, Cordel Hyde and Dan Silva:

Yasmin Shoman, PUP Std. Bearer - Collet
"And my good friend the Honorable John Briceno, said by his very words that he believes in his friend the next prime minister of Belize, a man who doesn't put ego first, but a man who is there for the people. Those are the words of my friend Honorable John Briceno and I join him in endorsing the leadership of our Party Leader Francis Fonseca. Because that is what he is about. We don't have time for political mischief. We don't have time for games."

Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Area- Rep - Bze. Rural Central
"I would like to call on all colleagues, all standard bearers of the People's United Party, everyone interested in having a positive change in this country to pull up our sleeves, put our shoulders to the wheel and get to work."

Again, that is also a message to the dissenting dozen, those 12 candidates who are pressing for a national convention. It will likely go unheeded though because - from what we've been able to tell, the 12 have dug their heels in. And though Dan Silva has publicly put forth their position, in terms of seniority of rank, they are led by John Briceno - who is out of the country tonight - but is expected to return tomorrow.

Unofficially we are told the 12 includes, Briceno, Silva, Hyde, Jose Mai, David Castillo from Corozal North, Josue Carballo from Orange Walk East, Major Lloyd Jones from Belize Rural North, Elito Arceo from Belize Rural South, Francis Smith from Pickstock, Gilroy Usher from Port Loyola, and Paul Thompson from Albert.

And while the rebellion does not constitute 16 which would be a majority of the candidates, the block of 12 is still significant - and if the PUP is to have any success in the upcoming elections, some compromise will have to be reached. We'll know if that is possible on Wednesday when the standard bearers meet with the national executive.

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

7 News Belize