P.U.P. Albert Candidate Surprised at the Announcement

So, the United Democratic Party formally introduced its new standard bearer for the Albert Division this morning, much to the surprise of many who believed that the candidacy would have been a duel between councilor Phillip Willoughby and Minister of State Herman Longsworth.  One man who’s equally as taken aback, not by the abrupt change, but by the choice of candidate, is Paul Thompson.  He is the P.U.P. standard bearer for that constituency and has worked with former party member, Tracy Panton, in the past under the then P.U.P. minister, Mark Espat.  Both are intimately familiar with the political battlefield; Thompson being ground commander and Panton providing logistical support.  The upcoming general elections however, will determine who emerges victorious in Albert.

Mark Espat

Paul Thompson, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Albert Division

“I wasn’t surprised that a change would have been made.  I believe that they, the U.D.P., thought that the three candidates that would have vied for their convention, namely: Minister Longsworth, Phillip Willoughby and Mr. Morrison.  I don’t think that they believed that any of those candidates, you know, could win that division for them.  So that’s not a surprise.  What is a surprise to me is that Mrs. Panton has put her name in the ring and now is being endorsed.  And I say that because, as is widely reported, she worked with Mark Espat in Albert along with myself who worked in it and I’m surprised because she was one who was more in the executive side working in tourism in her office and I was the one who was the campaign manager, working the streets and campaigning.  So it’s a bit of a surprise and so, you know.”

Isani Cayetano

“Traditionally, the Albert Division has been a P.U.P. stronghold while Mark Espat was representing the People’s United Party in that constituency.  It shifted to the U.D.P. under Herman Longsworth.  The fact that you are now pitted against Tracy Taegar-Panton, seeing as though both of you guys were once members of the same party and worked for the same individual, do you believe that this presents a formidable challenge in terms of taking back Albert for the People’s United Party?”

Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson

“Yes, I am confident that the P.U.P. will take back the Albert Division.  As I mentioned to the media earlier, I worked the division for over a decade, I mean, literally meeting people and working with people being the constituency manager.  I believe that, you know, the circumstances in 2012 were unusual, so to speak.  I believe that the people, it was a very low turnout then as well, the lowest turnout for any division in 2012.  I believe that it will turn around.  I believe that people are looking for loyal leadership.  They’re looking for committed leadership so, you know, I think that what I bring to the table and what I stand for, people are looking for that and I am confident that we can take it back.”