And while Esquivel stands ready to serve, the PUP's rapid response media spymasters says they won't be needing him because in the view of the blue, the plan is a sham. Deputy Prime Minister john Briceno waited on standby during the press conference and sprung into action minutes later here's what he said about the UDP package.
Johnny Briceno, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy PUP Leader
"Nothing new, I was so disappointed...well actually that's vintage Barrow: all glitter, lots of noise and fanfare but no substance. The issues that he spoke about in his plan, those are issues that we are addressing right now as we speak:"
Jules Vasquez,
What would you say on that the UDP has the credibility, they've rescued Belize from the IMF before, and the PUP does not have that?
Johnny Briceno,
"Nonsense, look out our record, look at the Finance and Audit Reform Act that was just recently passed, a few months ago, in the National Assembly. Again it clearly spells out what as a government we need to do when it comes to the financial affairs of this country, so we've been doing that. Look at the issue of the Commission of Inquiry, the unions felt that there is a need to have a Commission of Inquiry and as a government we appointed a Commission of Inquiry."
Jules Vasquez,
How do you overcome a credibility hurdle that the PUP government has and how do you make people believe that in fact you all, not the UDP, have the solution and are working to reach it?
Johnny Briceno,
"Well first of all what you have said is very subjective. You can go in other parts of the country and they will say we love this government and we want to continue with the PUP government, so its subjective. But what we need to point out though is that our record has shown what we can do---when the time comes we can do and we will deliver."
