Leadership Debate Committee Clears the Air

Marissa Longsworth

There has been much chatter in various corners about tonight’s debate some of which has not been entirely accurate.  The murmur about Patrick Faber and John Briceño backing out of the event has prompted the Leadership Debate Committee to issue a release clarifying a number of issues surrounding the debate.  Chamber President Marissa Longsworth addresses those concerns.

Marissa Longsworth, President, B.C.C.I.

“There has certainly been some very curious activities that have surrounded this debate that I think contributes to the narrative around the debate because whatever the outcome is for the debate, there is an entire story as we’re discussing right now about what has really happened and what the true intentions of all of those who were involved really are and I think that that is the story at this point in time.  Where does our political system stand at this point in time that it isn’t seen as a duty to the electorate to listen to the questions that have been presented?  To date, we have nine or ten questions which have been submitted by organizations that are well respected that are on the ground.  We have invited, as you know, the unions, the NGOs, the doctors, the nurses, the YMCA, the National AIDS Commission.  These are all highly respected organizations who play a role in everyday society and they are the ones submitting the questions to be asked of these leaders. What ends up affecting the Belizean people the most is what they get to hear about their real issues in an unscripted environment where there can be that challenge of ideologies and an intellectual discussion.  Are we ready for that?  Are we there yet, as we’ve been saying?  That’s the other question, are we there yet as an electorate to entertain intellectual discussions about the choices we make at election time?”