Down, but not out: Philip Willoughby trods on
The last word on Sunday’s United Democratic Party municipal convention in Belize City goes to the vanquished Philip Willoughby. He lost out to the better-heeled Dion Leslie for the mayoral position but just made it on the list of councilors, and earned admiration from many for persevering in the face of monumental odds. Today, he offered a sort of valedictory of his campaign, stating that there was no one reason to blame for the result, and that in any event, he is more interested in rallying his base behind the team to return to City Hall next March.
Philip Willoughby, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate
Philip Willoughby
“I’m satisfied with the work the team put in on my behalf; we didn’t win, yes, I concede to that. But other than that, I think we did a magnificent job with what we had, so I’m grateful for that.”
Reporter
“But aren’t you disappointed still?”
Philip Willoughby
“No one gets into a battle to lose, but unfortunately, this time around, someone had to lose and I am the loser; so I take that loss and I learn from it and I grow from it.”
Reporter
“Am I to [inaudible] that because you ran for councilor and the Mayor position that you, from the onset, had some sort of belief that you would have lost?”
Philip Willoughby
“That’s fifty-fifty; I either win or lose in that race, and then it’s one-sixteenth after that, so you can do the mathematical calculation and then you would know you have to get among the top ten vote-getters to get in on the slate.”
Reporter
“But you never went in – all or nothing – you hedged your bets from the start.”
Philip Willoughby
“What’s wrong with that?”
Reporter
“Dion Leslie, for example, went all or nothing, either I win this or I get nothing.”
Philip Willoughby
“And that was his choice.”
Reporter
“Yes, but I am asking you to explain your choice. Was it because you knew that you were the underdog? You were politically isolated – you didn’t have any of the sitting representatives publicly endorsing you; you didn’t have any of your fellow councilors campaigning [with you]; is it because of these reasons or political isolation that you said, ‘you know what, I need to hedge my bets; I will put my name for councilor and mayor?’”
Philip Willoughby
“I believe no matter the position I would have garnered – if I would have won the Mayor or councilor position – it still means that Philip Willoughby has the opportunity to work for Belize City and the residents, and I have pledged that I will work even harder for the City.”
