As we told you earlier in the week - the G-11 rebellion in the PUP is over - and everyone is back under the big blue tent. We are told that leader Francis Fonseca agreed to everything the rebels were demanding including an open convention where he could be challenged for leader. Today, Fonseca slightly qualified that:
Jules Vasquez
"We were told that you basically conceded to everything and said, "Let's move forward I accept the 3 main things that you put forward. We will have a challenge leader convention if you wish." Why did you agree to do those things and if you are going to agree to them, why didn't you agree to it 5 weeks ago?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"No, listen we put out a statement which reflects the discussions we had at that meeting. we had put in place a process and a structure that all of us believe will achieve the objectives that we want to achieve and we made it absolutely clear to our party and to the country that we are united in our efforts to defeating the United Democratic Party Government. In terms of the National Convention we will have a discussion about that National Convention with all 31 standard bearers. We will make decisions as a caucus of standard bearers and we will then take that to the National Executive of the party for ratification. So that is the position moving forward and let me be very clear, before you get overly excited about a challenge to the leadership - all 31 standard bearers, including the 10 present in Burrell Boom made it absolutely clear that they support my leadership and there is no intention to challenge my leadership going into the next elections."
Jules Vasquez
"Have you in some sense made...whatever concessions were made would the knowledge that the election is imminent and it will overtake all the best laid plans of mice and men and so all energies will be thrown behind that. So jump high, jump low, everybody has to face it poll and you know that it's coming soon, certainly sooner that the National Convention."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I think all of us recognize that in the party and that is why all of us have come together to say what is most important, what is our primary objective is ridding the country of this UDP government. So, yes that trumps everything else. We are unified in that purpose."
Jules Vasquez
"Will there be money in the PUP for the candidates in October as has been rumored?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, you seem to have gotten some very detailed reports of the meeting, but no, as I have said our discussion focuses on 2 things; the executive and the reform agenda. We got into no detailed discussion about anything else."
Jules Vasquez
"Anything from Mr. Ashcroft?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"No sir, nothing."
Jules Vasquez
"Nothing?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"Mr. Barrow didn't bring back anything with him from his meetings with Ashcroft."
The PUP holds its next power to the people really in San Narciso tomorrow where all of the G-11 are expected to attend.
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