Mayor Darrell Bradley Throws Support Behind PM in UHS Battle

Darrell Bradley

On occasion in the past, mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley has clashed with his own party on issues of national importance. But it is clear that with regard to the U.H.S. arbitral award, the United Democratic Party has closed ranks on an issue that has always been, at least recently, a bee in their bonnet. During his press briefing this afternoon we sought his views from a legal standpoint concerning Wednesday’s events and what he thinks parliamentarians should do. Bradley said that on this issue he trusts the Prime Minister’s judgment and believes that those originally responsible for the debt – the current Opposition – should be held accountable for their actions.

Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor

“I can say that I was very humbled as a Belizean in relation to how well he articulated the concerns and how he championed the issue for the Belizean public. I think that he rightly pointed out that two courts had indicated that this was an illegal arrangement; they went through some circuitous means in terms of securing enforcement. There were certain requirements that were made so that for any appropriations to be made that has to be done by an appropriations bill, so that that notwithstanding, I would only say that I stand by the Prime Minister and the statements that he made. If in fact there is a judgment which there is, I think that that represents a blight on the former government and all persons who were involved in procuring that.  I will tell you this, that I much admire the Prime Minister. I think that the Prime Minister is a most brilliant attorney. I listened to him yesterday, and I say again I was very humbled and honored to be a Belizean in the way he spoke passionately to defend Belize, and I can offer no advice to his brilliance. I am junior counsel and I would yield to his guidance. He is the Prime Minister of this country; I believe that he has led this country through so many years going into a successful third term through many difficult challenges – these are very difficult challenges – and he has led us to the point where we have succeeded at points. Clearly, from a citizen perspective I am concerned with the outlays that the coffers of Belize would have to pay, but I am quite confident in his leadership and his ability to steer the ship going forward, to ensure that we come out with the Belizean public having succeeded.”