And is Espat hinting at some discord within the ruling party? The Leader of the Opposition seems to think that all is not well. She believes that the release from the northern caucus is proof that not everybody is on the same page regarding the proposed acquisition. Here's how she put it.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Well I think what is signal to me that there is serious internal conflict within the PUP, for the Prime Minister to have to lean on his northern caucus to support this deal is clearly an indication of that."
"And yes, you answered yourself. It is politicizing of a national issue. I often said, and I said this morning on Channel 5, in fact, that we have a political prerogative. The opposition has a political prerogative, as does the government."
"But this issue is not a political issue. It is a national issue. When you attempt to burden the working class with an additional 100 million or more for an acquisition for which no valid information has been provided to the citizens who happen to be the owners of this public entity, then something is absolutely wrong."
Reporter
"Do you consider that the SSB should make its decision public once it's arrived at, or will we have to know through the grapevines?"
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, the chair of the SSB took the bold step and resigned from the BTL board when this matter was before the BTL board."
"So I suspect if she follows through with her stance that whatever decision is taken at the SSB board will be made public."
