Social Justice Becomes Political Battleground

As the cost of living climbs, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says too many Belizean families and businesses are struggling without enough support. She argues that social justice must be more than a political talking point and should guide how any government responds to those being left behind. Today, we asked Panton whether the UDP remains committed to that principle and what she makes of the growing tensions over social justice within the People’s United Party.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“It is a government’s first responsibility is to the people of the country. And so when we have, the Prime Minister says, oh, we are importing inflation. That may be true, but the government’s response cannot be to relegate the inflation that people are feeling and being imported. We must find solutions for families who need our support, particular at this time. And hopefully they will be short-term solutions, but we need to find the solutions. And so certainly the United Democratic Party under my leadership will focus on being people-centered to ensure that we can give those who are most in need a hand up. We have seen successive members of the current administration who have said, Something is off. We cannot continue to operate in a silo. We cannot continue to operate as though there are people who are not being marginalized because of the economic costs, because of the cost of living, because of the cost of doing business. We cannot turn a blind eye. But for the majority of this administration, they have turned a blind eye. I think they’re aloof, they’re arrogant, and they have lost touch with the needs and concerns of the Belizean people.”

 

Panton says the former UDP government protected vulnerable families during tough economic times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: