But during her speech, Panton didn't mention her meeting with Michael Ashcroft. In fact - until we asked - she didn't even mention the Ashcroft Alliance which owns 77% of Speednet - which is at the center of this acquisition.
But solid reports to 7News are that she and the UDP's chairlady Sheena Pitts met with Ashcroft yesterday on his yacht - which is anchored off Belize City. What was the meeting about? Well we asked the LOO about it today - and it got testy.
Jules Vasquez:
"I understand from reports that you met with Lord Ashcroft yesterday that you went out to his yacht, the Atlantic Goose, you and the chairlady, I'm told. Are you able to speak about that? What came out of that?"
Tracy Panton, LOO
"Indeed, I met with Mr. Ashcroft."
Jules Vasquez:
"On his yacht?"
Tracy Panton, LOO
"To make it clear to him what the position of the party is. We cannot continue to support any kind of public acquisition that will affect materially the public interest. That is our stand. We cannot support a monopoly. And you want me to say there would be absolutely no monopoly well there should be absolutely no monopoly in electricity, there should be absolutely no monopoly in water if that is the stance we're going to take. In democratic countries with a population size that we have there's room for monopolies because we have a small market to share. That is why there is only one electricity provider, and that is why there is only one provider for water services. That's why they have been only one provider for telecommunications for so long, until the private monopoly took full advantage of the people of this country, until we were taken to court over and over and over and over again. And the government, as you know, it was the UDP administration who sought to nationalize BTL in the public interest. I also will report here that the chairman of BTL is now scrambling to meet with the opposition. And I say and I told him I would speak to the team and get back with him. Why do you want to have the conversation now after your hand was caught in the cookie jar? Tell us what the deal was prior to getting here."
Jules Vasquez:
"You think it was bad form to have met with Mr. Ashcroft on his yacht?"
Tracy Panton, LOO
"You are trying to, listen Jules I will not let you put words in my mouth, I met with Mr. Ashcroft."
Jules Vasquez:
"You left from the Fort George pier. You and Sheena."
Tracy Panton, LOO
"Are you going to allow me? Are you going to allow me?"
Jules Vasquez:
"Please do."
Tracy Panton, LOO
"I seek to be the next leader of this country. And the next leader of this country must be open to meet with all investors. Where I choose to meet with them and not meet with them is immaterial in my opinion. I have a duty and a responsibility to this party. I have a duty and responsibility and one that I don't take lightly as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. What I will not be accused of is being able to engage and to listen and to speak clearly for myself and say, I will not allow anyone to put words in my mouth, and certainly not Channel 7."
