But P.U.P. Finances in the red

Henry Charles Usher

So on Friday, Francis Fonseca, Said Musa, and Florencio Marin Junior will be leading the oppositions’ charge in the House on the ninth amendment. Indications are that former party leader John Briceño and Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat will not be in Belmopan. Political postulating aside, the finances of the PUP are said to be very much in shambles. Both party chairman and the designate leader spoke about the cash flow problems.

Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P.

“We’re confident at the national executive level that we will have a plan in place to campaign and win the municipal election next March and moving into the general elections whenever that is called. As to what you have been hearing on the television, the party is not in dire straits. And Jules I have to tell you that the party does not owe the Holy Redeemer Credit Union. Please rectify that this evening when you say your news because that is inaccurate. That is a personal account and the treasure of the party that has been a member of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union and like any other member, he has the right to borrow money and that is his decision. It is not the party that borrowed money from the Holy Redeemer Credit Union. Please make that clear.”

Jules Vasquez

“It is on behalf of the party though?”

Henry Charles Usher

“Please make that clear that the party does not owe the credit union any money.”

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

Francis Fonseca

“In times of crisis, it’s very often easy to walk away from the problem. I felt that it was important for me to step up and be a part of the solution to that problem. We are faced with serious financial difficulties, but I am confident that in the next few weeks, we will be able to sit down as a party and determine a way forward in respect of that issue. And I can assure the Belizean people, I want to do this from the very outset—that we will do so in a way that does not compromise the fundamental principles of the People’s United Party. I believe we have done a lot of work; John Briceño obviously did a lot of work and I want to pay my respects to him. He inherited the leadership of the party at a low point as you all know and he has done as best as he could to rebuild the image and the credibility of the People’s United Party and I thank him for the work he did. I look forward to work closely with him moving forward.”

Francis Fonseca will take the oath as party leader on October twenty-ninth at a meeting of the central party council.