By Zoila Palma: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has issued a statement confirming as she had indicated in media interviews that she did meet with Lord Ashcroft.
“There has been public commentary, that quite frankly I find reckless, about my decision, as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the United Democratic Party, to meet with Belizean investor, Michael Ashcroft. I find the narrative that is being promoted both selective and absurd.
Whether one admires Mr. Ashcroft or not, the reality is this: the Ashcroft Alliance is a strategic investor in Belize, facilitated over decades by both major political organizations, the PUP and the UDP, through policy decisions, legal frameworks, commercial arrangements, and regulatory outcomes,” Panton said.
Panton says that the Ashcroft Alliance has significant interests across key economic sectors including: tourism and hospitality; healthcare; logistics and port facilities; telecommunications; and, a major share of Belize’s banking assets.
“Some have argued that the Alliance has benefited from the “corrupt” practices of government institutions, and that certain structures, including trusts, have disadvantaged ordinary Belizeans. If This may be so but we must also be honest about where the primary responsibility lies: the political directorate and the regulators who enabled, permitted, or failed to exercise restrain for personal gain,” Panton added.
Panton says that Belizeans have not forgotten the “Musa Administration’s dealings, including the Promissory Note linked to Jeffrey Prosser, helped give rise to arrangements that entrenched private monopoly protections and guaranteed returns.”
“Belizeans also know that private interests have changed hands and consolidated over time, including the sale of almost 78% of SpeedNet by the Briceño group to Waterloo Trust, an entity within the Alliance. These are not opinions; they are part of public record,” Panton explained.
Panton also said that she cannot think of any Prime Minister of Belize or Leader of the Opposition that has not met with Lord Ashcroft.
“A meeting is not surrender and conversation is not compliance. Investors are motivated by return on investment. Shareholders are motivated by profit and performance. As Leader of the Opposition, I am motivated by good governance, transparency, fairness, and the public interest and by my duty to hold the Briceño Administration to account,” she further explained.
Panton says that the UDP is committed to a Zero Tolerance posture on corruption and to defending the public interest.
Panton says that meeting with Ashcroft does not compromise her professionalism.
“The suggestion that the mere location or circumstance of a meeting compromises my professionalism, integrity, or judgment is not just wrong, it is both irrational and insane. I also remind the public of a simple truth: people often judge others using their own moral compass. That has everything to do with them and nothing to do with my values or my record of almost 40 years in outstanding public service that speaks for itself. A record that I am particularly proud of,” she stated.
The UDP further invites ALL current and future investors in Belize to “engage with the next Government of Belize. We are open to constructive, meaningful, and productive dialogue.”
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By Zoila Palma: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has issued a statement confirming as she had indicated in media interviews that she did meet with Lord Ashcroft. “There has been public commentary, that quite frankly I find reckless, about my decision, as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the United Democratic Party, to
The post Leader of Opposition: “Yes I met with Lord Ashcroft”; invites future investors to meet with UDP appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
