Does Mayor Wagner Enjoy the Support of the P.U.P.?

Bernard Wagner

Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner has indicated that he intends to run for a third term for municipal leader. But does he enjoy the support of the People’s United Party? Wagner first took office back in March 2018 and was uncontested in the lead up to the 2021 Municipal Elections. Will there be other persons throwing their names in the hat to replace Wagner in the upcoming convention? When the media caught up with Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde, he was asked about the party’s support for Wagner. Here’s what he had to say.

Cordel Hyde

Cordel Hyde, Deputy Party Leader, P.U.P.

“I think the mayor has been a stellar mayor. I think he’s done some good things. I am sure there are things he’s done or didn’t do that he wish he could have back, as with all of us in public life. I think he would have support. I think relations have improved a lot between local government and central government. I get the sense that there is a lot more collaboration taking place as it should be so that should be a benefit to the residents of this city when local government and central government are one of the same. We should work together. We have not always been able to do that, but my sense is that we are moving briskly in that direction. But it is a democracy and we are hearing all kinds of names and all kinds of people expressing interests. But it is a good thing because remember not too long ago, we couldn’t get people to run for the party in these elections; we had to beg people to run, yo know. You remember how long it took for us to get candidates to run 2018. We had to go through whole lot of things and now we have an abundance of candidates. It is a beautiful thing; it is a democracy.”

Reporter

“So the support will go to him and not to perhaps a female candidate running for the P.U.P. for mayor?”

Cordel Hyde

“Why are you doing this to me, man? I have heard multiple people express interest. When we reach that point, we will decide how best to move forward. But ultimately it is a democracy and people are free to aspire. Me, I noh have no problem with conventions. I had to gone through two conventions before I run the first time. I had to run for the chairman of the constituency branch ina Lake I and then I had to run for standard bearer two years later because dehn say this lee bwai can’t handle this thing. And ih gone after ahn again, and then we had to win. The good thing is that it makes you battle tested, it makes you battle ready. When the time comes for elections you would have been baptised by fire so that’s okay.”