Where Prime Minister John Briceño’s Independence Day remarks ran for just under eight minutes, Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton took nearly 30 minutes to deliver a pointed political message on government accountability, cost of living, economic hardship, and the exercise of political power.
Panton said Belize’s next chapter must focus on “people-centred leadership and national renewal”.
She said, “Our next chapter must be one of people-centered leadership and national renewal, restoring integrity in government and building an economy where hard work, innovation, enterprise are rewarded.”
She said Belizeans are facing mounting economic pressures. “Parents are being forced to make impossible choices pensioners are stretching fixed incomes to the breaking point and businesses are deciding whether to persevere or close their doors, and sargassum continues to weaken the visitor experience,” Panton said.
But Panton also placed pressure on government accountability, and reminded the current government that it has a “solemn duty but cannot build Belize alone,” she said. “A strong government listens and respects dissent. It must never mistake a parliamentary majority for unlimited authority. Its mandate is to ease hardship, restore confidence and strengthen institutions that will outlast any administration.”
Panton also called on Belizeans to play a more active role in the country’s democracy, including “registering to vote, asking hard questions, engaging your representatives, mentoring a young person, buying Belizean, protecting public property, rejecting bribery, intimidation and wrongdoing.”
“Belize at 45 is not a destination,” Panton added. “It’s a movement larger than any one leader and greater than any political institution.”
