Francis Fonseca: Is He Back in the P.U.P.’s Leadership Race?
Francis Fonseca
Last Friday in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister bid farewell to Francis Fonseca as the Leader of the Opposition in the House. Well tonight, the outgoing P.U.P. Leader has made an about-turn and is now an aspirant for new Party Leader. In the wake of general elections Fonseca announced that he was stepping down, and a National Convention to select a new leader was set for January thirty-first, 2016. At the time, he said his decision was final. Soon after, four names were thrown into the ring – former leader John Briceño, Cordel Hyde, Lisa Shoman and Kareem Musa. But with the deadline to submit names just days away on December fifteenth, News Five was able to confirm that Fonseca is back. This afternoon, we spoke to Deputy Leader Julius Espat following a meeting with Fonseca in Belmopan. Espat told us that they asked him to reconsider, and he did.
Julius Espat
On the Phone: Julius Espat, Deputy Leader, P.U.P.
“We had a meeting today in Belmopan where a group of us invited the party leader to listen to our concerns. We made it clear to him that we believe that he made a mistake by stepping down when he did. And we are humbly asking him or urging him to take up the challenge of the leadership again.”
Mike Rudon
“And his response?”
On the Phone: Julius Espat
“It was extremely positive and I can safely say that he agreed. That will be defined on Tuesday when we hand in the names. But it was a very good meeting that ended by seven…ten…eleven constituency and seven of those are parliamentarians. So it was well attended. The full south, most of the west, a portion of the north. We didn’t have a chance to invite the city as yet, but we will be doing that pretty soon.”
Mike Rudon
“Do you all expect serious contention to this move?”
On the Phone: Julius Espat
“Well we expect a convention. We hope for a convention. We believe in the democratic process so we are not asking for an endorsement. We are putting in some names that we believe are the best people that we can put forward and let democracy do its work.”
Mike Rudon
“Would you be aware if a move like this would affect the leadership ambition of persons like Lisa Shoman or like Kareem whose names have also been called in the leadership race?”
On the Phone: Julius Espat
“Well we are looking at who we believe is our best option as leader of the party and we believe that the other candidates and the other names are incredible people in their own way. But at this point in time, we believe that the honourable Francis Fonseca is the best man for the job and so we are putting our names and support in what we believe.”
News Five contacted perceived frontrunners John Briceño and Cordel Hyde to get a response to the news. Both declined to comment.
It seems that the old guard is hell bent on clinging to having the PUP remains in opposition for ever.
Oh Gawd, please say it ain’t so. Crazy is repeating your mistakes, but expecting different results.
My beloved PUP needs fresh leadership. Ms Shoman, Mr. Briceño, Mr. (Kareem) Musa where are you?
Congrats to Dean Barrow, the PUP has just paved the path to a fourth win for the UDP.
mein here we go again with this political circus looks like at the end kareem musa and lisa shoman will step down and will not boycott francis from trying to be the old leader/wana be new-what the hell julius espat thinks francis is the best option?we have seen since all by-elections,townbrds-city council elections,village council also PUP have lost ground so bad,he has bad reputation under said musa government and wants to come back shuks dis da real joke just to follow julius espat advice…espat will not run but he no wants a real leader he wants a person that if PUP is elected dem then can continue with the same corruption under dean barrow and past musa/fonseca were involved-Belizeand need a better perosn and we deserve better we tired and tired a dis mada ra$$-I believe the best option is CORDEL HYDE..he is a real perosn-grassssrooots,he da no a’ lambiscon’ like many under the PUP banner that only think for themselves….well johny is a great person he did a lot to lift the party under his leadership-and den last minute came with EXCUSES’ and RESIGNED HIS ASS and left the ship floating alone and just gave fonseca francis the crocodile to lead us into trouble and the PUP lost not so bad @ 2012 general election because johny helped a lot to lift up the party bak,and fonseca having been involved in rampant corruption under said musa the people did’t want the same rass to continue and then the people/thousands of PUP’S did not came out to vote and the UDP WON AGAIN.its not that the people love dean barrow its because yes under said musa-dean barrow corruption is rampant and we just believe it does not make sense to go out and vote ‘just fi change monkey fi black dog’…and here we go again JOnhy had his chance and he ‘BETRAYED THE MANY THAT BELIEVED IN HIM na d now he again wants to run for leader we cant’ trust him and what johny should do is not run for leader but aligned himself and help/campaign for CORDEL HYDE…the best option..if we want a way moving forward .WE DESERVE BETTER.
Just want the leadership to realize and understand that although i and my extended family have been strong and firm supporters in the west we will not accept any more of their manipulations. You must ensure that the theme you used for the general election ‘Power to the People’ be realistic in the party NOW. This point in time is crucial for the party. Don’t mess it up. What you think is the best may not be what most party supporters think. ITS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU THE LEADERS BUT ABOUT THE MASSES OUT HERE. Can’t you figure out how the roots are thinking?
Looking at it it’s a smart move people, if UDP WINS IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEY HAVE BORROWED FROM ABROAD, ALL PETRO CARIBE MONEY WILL BE ON THEIR BACKS, FONSECA IS PLAYING SMART THEY DON’T WANT TO TAKE THE BILLS ON THEIR BACK VERY SMART MOVE EH.
Agree with isaias, it not about what Julius think and a few, its about what the many Belizeans think.