But where will campaign finance come from?
Francis’ baptism as party leader was done metaphorically in hot water at the Parish Hall. He has months to secure finances for municipal as well as spearhead the upcoming General Elections. In the eventuality, the Prime Minister decides on an early election, Francis must also mediate and bridge rivaling factions within the P.U.P. How will he do it all? That’s what News Five asked him following the convention.
Francis Fonseca, Leader, P.U.P.
“Well obviously that will be a difficult challenge Jose, but this is not going to be an election where the People’s United Party will have a lot of money, but I am confident that we will get a lot of support from small businesses, from other Belizeans—the few Belizeans who are fortunate to have the ability and capacity to contribute to a political party. I am confident that we will be able to get their support because they have suffered tremendously under this U.D.P./Barrow Administration and they want a change in government and they are prepared to commit to the People’s United Party and I believe invest in the People’s United Party. So that is the approach we will have to take in regards to financing. And I believe, when I first took up the responsibility of leadership; that I will be able to get the required financing to move the party forward.”
Jose Sanchez
Francis Fonseca
“I know much has been given in the speeches about change and rebirth, some people even took swipes at the two missing members—Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat—they are not here for you the same way they were not here for John Briceño.”
Francis Fonseca
“Yes and they will have to explain that to the members and supporters of People’s United Party. My position has always been one of good faith. I am prepared to work with anyone who is prepared to work with me. But as you could see today, the standard bearers, the members and supporters of this great party, who have sacrificed for this party, want us to move forward united and if we cannot accomplish that in a short period of time, then decisive action will have to be taken. So I hope we can work together—I am extending my hand; I’m extend my heart to everyone who wants to work with us—including obviously the representatives for Lake I and Albert. They are very successful politicians who have a lot to contribute to the work of the party and a lot to contribute to the development of Belize. And so we want to work with them and I hope that they would come onboard and work with us.”
Francis said that his uncle Ralph Fonseca will not be part of his executive but if he or any good P.U.P. can help to locate finances for the party, they are all welcome. Still on the P.U.P., the conventions to elect candidates for the municipal elections were held in Orange Walk. Over a thousand voted for mayoral and councilor candidates. Kevin Bernard was elected as mayoral candidate and for councilors; Josue Carballo, Neri Ramirez, Jose Urbina, Ian Cal, Ladrick Shepherd and Rozel Arana.
I have always found it interesting that the Hyde-Espat duo say that they – and only they – know what the people want. They pretend that they have a monopoly on empathy. Not so. If the corruption that they claim is an epidemic in the PUP and has been there from as far back as 1992 and the City Centre contract, then why did Mark and Cordel run on PUP tickets in 1998, 2003 and 2008. Are they condoning this so-called corruption? Belizeans overwhelming supported a Musa-led PUP in 1998 and 2003 and over 40,000 voters voted blue in 2008. However, since 2006 the Party has been losing elections. Hyde and Espat say it is because the PUP lost their way. But really, isn’t it because the two of them did not get THEIR WAY and so decided to rot the structure from within. I agree with those that say the PUP needs to wash its hands of Kremandala. That organization was built by squeezing every last dollar out of poor southside Belizeans, yet has the audacity to say they speak for those same people. Hypocrisy! The PUP will win again, maybe not in 2013, but I guarantee you that it will be because they finally got rid of the stink …… inside the corridor of blue power. Mark said it right when he said Francis needs to remove those that have caused election woes. He was speaking of himself and his brother-in-law.
Uncle Ralph…and Uncle Said could bankroll the whole party.
So what if they cud Mr. Price?? Barrow cud do d same with his party with all the cash he has gotten from the profits of BTL and from his firm representing Ashcroft?? So what??
They should.