The Universal motion will not go to the House or a vote tomorrow. That was the decision that the Prime Minister announced to his Parliamentary Caucus at 2:00 this afternoon. Why did he do it? Well in a statement issued this evening the Prime Minister said he and his Cabinet have consulted and they have listened and are satisfied that a private sector solution can be developed, one that would not be a burden on taxpayers. Here's a portion of that statement.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"We have successfully renegotiated the UHS debt to $29 million payable in 25 years at 10%. This renegotiated debt can now be effectively serviced without the need for taxpayer involvement.
I am satisfied that a credible, workable, and sustainable solution can be found working with the private sector. At a meeting of our parliamentary caucus held this afternoon, I therefore advised my parliamentarians that we would not be proceeding with the motion on Friday. We will work with the private sector to develop a new proposal. Our parliamentarians and standard bearers unanimously support going in this direction.
My fellow Belizeans, we have consulted with the people. We have listened to the people. We will work with the people to find a lasting solution that will be acceptable to the majority of our people."
Of course what the statement does not say is that the Prime Minister was faced the certainty that three Cabinet Ministers, his Deputy John Briceno, Joe Coye and Eamon Courtenay would have resigned and then voted against it if he took it to the House tomorrow. And more than that, last night the Chamber of Commerce voted overwhelmingly to shut down for a day and to not pay business and sales tax for a month.
