Posted: Monday, May 26, 2025. 10:03 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: Tracy Taegar-Panton is the first woman to serve as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives – and her first duty in the role was to deliver the Opposition’s response to the annual Budget at the start of the debate.
Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde opened his remarks with congratulations, calling it “a big deal…historic…a giant step forward for women in electoral politics and parliamentary politics,” noting her ascension to the top job at the start of only her third term in office.
However, the cordial tone was short-lived.
Hyde pointed to the Opposition’s record in government, noting that while predecessor Moses “Shyne” Barrow was not in Cabinet, Taegar-Panton was: “She was there every step of the way, she was around the table every step of the way. She stamped, affirmed, provided imprimatur to all those decisions. She was there to watch scandal after scandal, and she said nothing. She was there as the last Government squandered $500 million of Petrocaribe, while people’s standard of living deteriorated year after year and she said nothing. And she was there as the last Government squandered $600 million of oil taxes, and she said nothing. And now all of a sudden, she can hear and she can see and she can speak.”
While the UDP is almost five years removed from office and Hyde’s PUP is in its second consecutive term under John Briceno, it is clear the reds’ sins are not yet forgiven – certainly not by the electorate if the General Elections results are anything to go by.
Heard earlier in her speech to say that there would be a “new boss lady” in town by 2030, Panton, for her part, remained composed at Hyde’s riposte, signaling a contentious start to three days of debate.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
