U.D.P. Introduces Belize City Municipal Slate 2024
This morning at the U.D.P. headquarters in Belize City, eleven candidates, including a new mayoral hopeful, were officially introduced as the party’s slate in the upcoming municipal elections. The introduction succeeds a P.U.P. convention held in Belize City last Sunday in which nine candidates were elected to represent the ruling party at the polls in March 2024. But this morning at the secretariat was all about the United Democratic Party and how its choice of candidates intend to return another woman mayor to City Hall. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The UDP 11 is a go, but will the municipal slate led by Nelma Jones Mortis stand up to the People’s United Party’s revamped roster with incumbent Mayor Bernard Wagner at the helm? It’s a question that the electorate in Belize City will decide upon come March 6th, 2024. Today, the United Democratic Party unveiled a pool of candidates who will contest all seats at City Hall next year.
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.
“We have come so far as a political organization in the last couple of years and this is a testament to where we are, on the heels, on the brink of reclaiming our glory as we did March 1st, 2006 where, similarly, we had an extraordinary woman at the helm of the Belize City Council UDP slate, former Mayor Zenaida Moya. And it is no irony, it is no coincidence that we now have Dr. Nelma Mortis who will lead all of you and all of us to our first taste of victory in the rebuilding era of the UDP.”
The mayoral hopeful hails from the Collet constituency and has a background in educational leadership. It is Mortis’ strong belief that she’ll be able to use what she has learned, along with her years of experience, to take charge of Belize City’s municipal affairs.
Melvin Hewlett
Melvin Hewlett, Presenter
“Dr. Nelma Jones Mortis, the next mayor of Belize City 2024. Originally from Lucky Strike Village, Belize, [she] has a remarkable journey rooted in hard work and community support. She’s not just an educator, but also a researcher and advocate for social change.”
Nelma Jones Mortis
Nelma Jones Mortis, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate
“Right now we have an opportunity to transform Belize City into the historic jewel that it is, or supposed to be, or destined to be. I believe that if we work together we can make Belize City the gem we can all be proud of. Trust me, my team and I, we have done our homework, we have been out canvassing and we have heard you all and your recommendation for what Belize City needs.”
Endorsing the UDP ticket is former, two-time Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley.
Darrell Bradley
Darrell Bradley, Former Mayor, Belize City
“Now I see a new dynamic team and I have always been motivated by the work of municipal government because I believe that that is the organic grassroots, bottom-up approach that we need to development. And when I see this slate and this strong slate, it called me to come here this morning and to give my resounding support and endorsement and to say that this will be a marker for the United Democratic Party taking back the reigns of government. It will begin in March 2024, but we will champion it going forward into the central government.”
Party Leader Shyne Barrow spoke confidently of the UDP 11’s earnestness and intention as the vehicle that will propel them to City Hall in March 2024.
Shyne Barrow
“It is the sincerity of your purpose that will thrust you into City Hall and I have no doubt about it. That is why this has all come together, the quality of candidates, the quality of the mayor is really superb. We could not have asked for a better slate and all of this in the process of rebuilding our beloved party for the sake of rescuing Belize from the tyrants, from the terrorists that are the People’s United Party.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
