7 News Belize

Leader of The Opposition Says PUP Making Major Gains
posted (March 9, 2018)
Last night on the news, you heard from the Prime Minister and UDP Party Leader Dean Barrow - who said he felt energized by the outcome of the Municipal Elections - even though his party lost critical ground.

Today we got the reaction from the PUP Party Leader - who says he's the one who really has a reason to celebrate since his party stole the UDP's crown:.

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"What's your emotional reaction to the outcome of the municipal elections? The PM said he is inspired and motivated."

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I don't think the Prime Minister believe that himself. But certainly from my end, we in the People's United Party we are very happy with the results and I want to assure the Belizean people that we will be working very closely with all 3 municipalities to ensure that we deliver on what we promise and that there can be open and transparency on how we are going to control the people's finances in those 3 municipalities."

"The Prime Minister claims that he is energized by what has happened and he is ready. We are just as energized and if he is so ready then bring it on - call the elections right now and maybe its not going to be him - Patrick and I am told already there is fight because John Saldivar delivered and Patrick lost. That's another fight that they are going to have."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How important is it to have Belize City. The UDP saw that as their eminent domain that they were unbeatable, because of their strong constituencies - the 6 constituencies that they controlled. How meaningful is this for your party to have broken their back in the city?"

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"Belize City is the crown jewel. Belize City we have 5 of the most powerful ministers in government including the Prime Minister and the minister of finance and the deputy prime minister and they had invested a lot in Belize City, but what they have forgotten is that is not about cement streets and roundabouts and a 33 million dollar basketball court that they have inaugurated and still can't have a game yet. It is about people. If you are looking after the interest and the needs of the Belizean people, that is what is going to happen."

Reporter
"Notwithstanding that the PUP win the crown jewel, what happened in the other areas? At the end of the day you only have 3 of 9."

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"Yes but when you look all over we have narrowed the gap. We are closing the gap. Everywhere you go, do we have more work to do? Of course we have more work to do and ensure that we have the best candidates that we can put to represent us in the next general elections."

Reporter
"But not out west where you were in effect mounting an attack against Montero with all these allegations of corrupt land scandals etc. what happened there and in Belmopan too, John Saldivar brought in Belmopan notwithstanding the allegations that have come out in recent years against him - serious allegations."

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"The information that we have provided to the Belizean people when it comes to Minister Montero came a little, almost at the end of the campaign. So I think probably it did not have enough time for people to really register. But we have to respect the will of the people. They decide that that is the team that they want. We respect that."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How much of what happened in the west where the UDP were completely dominant, particularly won almost the same margin as the last time. How much of this is a function - I didn't see him on the frontlines, the deputy for the west he was in seems to me he was quite invisible in the campaign. He was not a prominent front line force. Has he been slacking off in his duties?"

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I don't think it has anything to do with the deputy leader from the west. It's simply a matter that adhere in the west. The UDP area representatives have been strong and it will take some time and it will take some work for us to be able to be able to turn it around."

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