B.P.P. Says Bring On the Debate Without Johnny and Faber

Patrick Rogers

The touted leadership debate organized by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is set to take place tonight at eight o’clock, although it will be missing the major political protagonists from the P.U.P. and the U.D.P. who have both complained that the B.C.C.I. neglected to provide responses to their queries.   The absence of party leaders John Briceño and Patrick Faber is a letdown for the two other leadership candidates who are participating.  B.P.P.’s Patrick Rogers is to face Nancy Marin of the Belize People’s Front. Rogers says that the Leadership Debate Committee, the organizing body for tonight’s event, should have postponed the debate until they were able to get commitments from Briceño and Faber.

Patrick Rogers, Party Leader, B.P.P.

“Again, no surprise.  To me, Patrick, I’m not surprised.  The last time we had a debate was 2008.  So it’s been twelve years that I have been waiting, having prepared myself for these debates because this da wahn means for us to show the people what direction we feel we need to take this country.  So I’m terribly disappointed that both leaders of the two mainstream parties chose not to face the people and answer these questions, but we can’t refuse any opportunity to address the nation over the media and so definitely I will be there and I’m excited still of the prospect to lay out to Belize the B.P.P.’s vision for developing this country.  You know, I don’t know what kind of debate ih wahn be, really and truly.  They should have postponed it until they get the two leaders to come to the table.  They should have demanded it, nothing short of making a demand and advising people to not vote for these two guys who do not want to come and layout dehn plan to the people or they are afraid of Rogers, I noh know.  Eena 2008, me and Faber gaan heads up with Lisa Shoman and from then dehn di run from unu lee bwai.  So let’s see weh wahn happen tonight.  As I said, I wish they were there but I am terribly disappointed and I applaud Ms. Nancy Marin for stepping up to the plate.  But da noh Nancy da fu we fight, fu we fight da Johnny and I am disappointed that they won’t be there mek we mash dehn deh up.”