Cabinet Shakeup Sparks Talk of Internal Tensions

Speculations are many when it comes to the announcement of a Cabinet reshuffle yesterday.  Some say it has serious undertones of internal fighting within the government; then they are those who say it is a chess move leading towards the selection of the next party leader, while others are indifferent over the changes.  For the Leader of the Opposition, however, Tracy Panton, says the changes in portfolios, particularly Home Affairs, still do not lend for greater transparency.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “Time will tell whether or not this particular change will in effect allow for greater transparency and greater efficiency. The change is cosmetic in my view.”

As it relates to the education portfolio taken away from Minister Oscar Requena, Panton had nothing but praises for Francis Fonseca who has been given back education, science and technology.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “I don’t interact enough with the Ministry of Education to suggest that he was a failure. But I can say that the Honorable Francis Fonseca has been an exemplary Minister of Education. This is a very challenging time for government where it relates to the relations with the unions and particularly the relationship with the Belize National Teachers Union. There are still issues that are not resolved and the teachers are getting wary that the solutions are not in place. And so I’m not at all surprised that in an effort to stabilize current relations with the teachers and to be able to advance the initiatives in education that the Prime Minister has asked the Honorable Fonseca to hold the reins at this time.”

The portfolio changes take effect on Monday.