Fonseca Says Things have Changed Since 2008

Francis Fonseca

Fonseca says he has managed to mount the only national slate and is confident that he will be returned as Party Leader. Still, he is cognizant that the road ahead is a tough one simply because of the amount of delegates that will be voting on January thirty-first. He’s been in this spot before, actually, in 2008 when he ran for leader against John Briceño and lost. He told the media today that things are going to be different this time.

Francis Fonseca, Candidate for P.U.P. Leader

“I think there is a significant different between 2008 and now. I have been the leader for the past four years. In 2008 in many respects I was the candidate of the establishment and certainly following a massive defeat in 2008 there was a strong undercurrent for change. I sense I the party that yes people want reform, they want changes, but people feel that we inherited a ship that was in a hurricane. They believe we have stabilized that ship. It is still in choppy waters. There are still holes in the ship that we need to plug. But people feel that we are certainly in a position where we can see the land beyond the horizon, where the sun is beginning to rise once again on the People’s United Party. So yes people are disappointed that we have lost elections, but by and large the supporters of the People’s United Party understand the circumstances under which we have lost those elections.”

Reporter

“How would you contend with the argument that no leader in the modern era has lost two successive general elections as Leader of the Opposition?”

Francis Fonseca

“I think these are elections as you know which…Mr. Barrow has called three elections in seven and a half years. I always joke to people that if Said Musa had done that between 98 and…he could have called an election in 2001, another one in 2003, we could easily have won three elections. That’s a very hollow argument. Indeed that is certainly a concern for our supporters, but as I said I think people understand that this U.D.P. government has had access to unprecedented resources, unprecedented monies and of course people appreciate what has been happening in our own Party since 2003 – 2004…and they understand that we need to address that issue. I am grateful that many people feel that I can address that issue.”