Fonseca says he’s ready for leadership

Francis Fonseca

The man of the hour P.U.P. Freetown Area Representative Francis Fonseca made a statement on the way forward for the P.U.P. minutes after the announcement. Fonseca clarified that he was not passed over as interim leader, because he supported Espat in that role. Fonseca told the media what he had already said inside independence hall, that the Price family asked him to run for Leader and he looks forward to leading the party that Price built.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader (Designate)

“It was a difficult decision I made late last evening to submit my acceptance to the nomination for the post of party leader. It was a long thought out decision but I thought it was in the best interest of the party and I feel as I did years ago when I first offered myself for party leader that I have a contribution to make to the P.U.P. and to the country of Belize. So today at the national executive meeting we held, as you all know, there were three other candidates that had expressed interests in the post as party leader. Those three candidates withdrew their acceptances and placed their full support behind me and I was very grateful and humbled by their support. So that is where we stand today; the national executive of the P.U.P. has endorsed my candidacy to become the next party leader of the People’s United Party. As the chairman has told you, we will have a national party council meeting at which that decision will be ratified. That is to be held on October 29^th and subsequently I will be sworn in as leader of the opposition.”

Jose Sanchez

“How do you plan to work out the party’s financial debts?”

Francis Fonseca

“Yes in many respects, it was as I said a very difficult decision, a very personal decision and I have to say what had tremendous impact on me was the calls from the members of the Price family. Many of them, the elders of Price family called on me to step forward. They felt that it was important that certainly in weeks after Mister Price’s death; that we continue the fight of the P.U.P.—this party that Mister Price built and made so great and a party that has contributed so tremendously to the growth and development of Belize. They felt that it was important for me to step up. It won’t be easy. And you all know that. A change in leadership does not mean there is suddenly a new wave of support for the P.U.P.  Obviously that is not the case.  I will have to go out every day as the leader of this party and prove to the Belizean people that we are a credible and viable alternative to the United Democratic Party and I am prepared to do that job with the support of the other thirty representatives of the P.U.P. and the member of the national executive, the member and supporters of the P.U.P.”

Jules Vasquez

“Will you have the support of the past leader, John Briceño, and the senior deputies; Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde?”

Francis Fonseca

“Well the former leader, John Briceño, was represented here today by his brother, Jaime Briceño. And Jaime has indicated in clear terms that he and his brother, John Briceño and the Orange Walk Central committee will fully support my endorsement as party leader. In the case of senior deputies; Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde, I certainly hope to enjoy their support. In my conversations with Mark and Cordel; but primarily with Mark over the past few days leading up to his own decision, he had expressed to me his confidence in me and willingness to support me if I decided to take on the leadership of the party. So I accept him in good faith at his word.”