Policy Priorities Take Center Stage Under Newly Confirmed UDP Leader

Hon. Tracy Panton, newly confirmed Leader of the Opposition and UDP Party Leader, outlined three urgent national priorities she plans to drive under her leadership: addressing the high cost of living, restoring transparency in governance, and strengthening citizen security.

Panton said economic pressures remain the most widespread concern she encountered throughout her campaign for leadership. She noted that while the administration reports that the economy is performing well, the continued pace of public borrowing and limited disclosure on revenue performance have heightened public unease. She stressed that Belizeans are struggling with rising household costs without clear explanations of how public finances are being managed or how new debt will be repaid.

A second major priority centers on what she describes as a deepening crisis of governance. Panton pointed to recurring complaints about limited transparency, minimal public consultation, and weakened accountability in state decisions. She said these combined issues have contributed to a widespread perception that corruption is escalating. She also highlighted the growing mistrust of state institutions, particularly where citizens expect protection and impartial oversight but increasingly feel underserved.

Citizen security forms the third pillar of her national agenda. Panton said Belizeans continue to express concern about crime and the capacity of state institutions to safeguard communities. She emphasized that the public’s confidence in law enforcement and institutional response remains fragile and requires policy attention at the highest level.

While broader governance reforms, including campaign finance policy, fall within this framework, Panton explained that the party will refine its policy direction through forthcoming meetings of the National Party Council and a newly reappointed Central Executive Committee. These bodies will help determine the sequencing of legislative and policy initiatives the UDP plans to champion on the national stage.

Beyond the top three priorities, Panton said policy committees will be convened immediately to analyze key national issues such as education, health, economic development, and youth engagement, with the intention of producing actionable recommendations. Her emphasis is on presenting not only critiques of current conditions but also structured solutions that reflect the concerns raised by communities across the country.