PUP Leader Dismisses Ashcroft’s Comments, Says Party Has No Shortage of Donors

The People’s United Party’s Leader, John Briceno says the PUP has no shortage of political donors. This week, Lord Michael Ashcroft, who has allegedly contributed substantial sums of money to both political parties, weighed in on the country’s current political climate. Ashcroft stated that this time around political donors should save their money given that the PUP is guaranteed a victory and doesn’t need any money. PM Briceno responded to the statement and whether his party is worried about financing its campaign.  

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Any election costs money and I think that Mr Ashcroft said that tongue-in-cheek because we have not asked him for money and we will not ask him for money. But our local financiers, they are helping us because we have been a good government. Our economy has grown tremendously. I think the last number I think it was like over 30.5% up to 2023/ 2024, not till the end of 2024. So we have tremendous growth and all business people have benefited from the work that we have done so. I am hoping and expecting that they are going to provide some finances. It is expensive to run a campaign despite the fact it doesn’t matter what your position but you have to put campaigners, you have to get t-shirts, you have so many things, the TV ads and all of these things that have to be done.”

Ashcroft also stated that given the UDP is guaranteed to lose, the party also doesn’t need any money.