Hon. Francis Fonseca’s Election Day Announcement Address
3 FebruaryMy Fellow Belizeans:
March 7th is Election Day!
After 4 years in office, P.M. Barrow and the U.D.P. Government have declared “Job Done”.
In the Prime Minister’s world of imaginary possibilities, all is well in Belize, life has never been better, the U.D.P. record he says is a “Stellar” one.
Well, those of us living and working in the “real” Belize, know that Belize is facing a serious economic crisis. Our people are struggling in the worst kind of way.
Cost of living keeps getting higher and higher. The food, light and water bills, school fees, rent and medical expenses are a heavy burden on our people. Wages are frozen. Unemployment is rampant rising from 8.5% in 2007 to 24% after four years of U.D.P. mismanagement of the economy.
Mr. Barrow and his U.D.P. Government talk Pro-poor but the reality is that poverty in Belize has grown to more than 40% under the U.D.P.
The economy is stagnant. The policies and arrogance of this U.D.P. Government has destroyed the investment climate resulting in a lack of growth, thousands of lost jobs, businesses and industries shut down, homes auctioned, major once thriving enterprises seized by the banks, loans defaulted on, children out of school.
The poor are getting poorer and the middle-class falling into poverty.
The U.D.P. came to office in February 2008 with great promises and the support of a hopeful nation.
They have squandered that hope and failed miserably to deliver on their promises.
Despite this, the Prime Minister asks for new clear instructions, he asks you the Belizean people to instruct him to spur economic growth, to do something about the Superbond, to roll out N.H.I. .
After four years of incompetence and politics, the Prime Minister only now realizes that he and the U.D.P. were elected in 2008 to solve these challenges and to grow the economy.
My fellow Belizeans, we do not need to give the U.D.P. new and clear instructions, we need a new P.U.P. Government with clear plans and solutions to our social and economic problems.
The P.U.P. will deliver us from the stifling air of uncertainty and anxiety that prevails today and will set free the creative and enterprising spirit of the Belizean people.
Everyone who wants to work must have an opportunity to work so that all can enjoy a dignified life in a Belize growing in prosperity.
Working together, the public and private sectors as well as Civil Society and community organizations will, with the right leadership, pursue a vision of National Renewal, to grow the economy, create jobs, lower taxes, increase wages and build a 21st, Century infrastructure in a Belize that is clean and green, a Belize that is safe and secure where citizens can walk the streets without fear, engage in gainful employment, provide more for their children and enjoy a better life.
The U.D.P. want this election to be about the past. You passed judgment on the P.U.P. in February of 2008. This 2012 election is about the future.
I invite all Belizeans, over the next few days and weeks, to listen carefully to the plans and policies of the P.U.P.
We offer a creative and dynamic job creation plan.
- A bold and progressive Reform Agenda.
- A credible, targeted plan to tackle crime and violence.
- A visionary Agenda to improve Education and Health.
Together we can move Belize forward but it will require a Government that is serious, competent and focused on Solutions NOT Politics.
The P.U.P. is committed to a positive, peaceful campaign. The political parties will have their say but the Belizean people will have their way.
May God Bless you, your families and Belize.