Panton Says Briceño is Out of Touch with Reality

Prime Minister John Briceño’s New Year’s address, which highlighted economic growth, major infrastructure projects and optimism for the year ahead is drawing strong pushback from the Opposition. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says the Prime Minister’s message is disconnected from the daily struggles many Belizeans continue to face. She argues that rising costs, including increases in utility rates, property taxes, and trade license fees paint a far different picture than the one presented in the national address.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“The Prime Minister lives in a silo. Obviously, he has no semblance of the reality that people are facing in this country. How difficult life has become, that life will continue to become with what is coming next year with the increase of utility rates, property taxes, trade license fees. All these things have a direct impact on families and on livelihoods in this country. But, he belongs to the friends and family club where they seem to be unscathed or certainly untouched by the realities of every other Belizean.”