Candidates have their say at forum
From the information in the press release, the event looked like a dry panel discussion on the intricacies of voting. But what transpired at the library this morning was anything but dry. News 5’s Marion Ali has the play by play.
Francis Gegg, Independent, Fort George
“So that is basically the basis of the We The People Reform Movement: reform our system of governance so that we can start to get good governance.”
Hubert Elrington, Independent, Lake Independence
“We want to eradicate poverty. Let’s do it now, don’t let it take us a hundred years. Let’s do it in five years.”
Herbert Panton, U.D.P. Representative
“We must set the same standards for our leaders as the standards we set for ourselves. “
Francis Fonseca, PUP Representative
“We’ve made mistakes, but at the end of the day every day we get up, and I can tell you, we rise and shine everyday with the people of this country at the centre of our agenda. That is the message, that is the vision of the People’s United Party.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Those were just some of the views that the assorted candidates and political operatives shared when they spoke to the nation this morning. With general and municipal elections less than one month away, and with more independent candidates running this year than ever before, the discussion focused mainly on what the newcomers bring to the table.
Patrick Rogers, Independent, Lake Independence
“But if you wah tell me you love this country, then start get me eighty percent of the population graduating from high school. Do it in two terms, start getting me fifty percent graduating from sixth form.”
Hipolito Bautista, Independent, Corozal South East
“Politics is about service. And if you ask yourself what is the real motive, honestly ask yourself, what is the real motive behind these political parties and what they have been doing, ladies, gentlemen, and students, it’s no longer about service.”
“And I think that’s what we as independents are trying to say to you as the electorate. Drop this nonsense about voting for a party, look clearly and squarely about who the party candidate is and who the independent candidate is.”
Wilfred Elrington, Independent, Pickstock
“The reason why I’m getting involved is I think I can contribute to keep the ship afloat. This is a time when all hands are needed to try and keep this ship afloat.”
But for Belize’s third political party, the New Alliance for Belizean Rights, it may be time to abandon ship.
Gilda Lewis, NABR Representative
“NABR has not put forward any candidate for either the City Council or the House of Representatives simply because of lack of available funding, and NABR is not for sale. So we’re not into any big financier coming and telling us run “x” number of candidates and we’ll come in and finance you because the day after election if NABR were to win an election we want nobody to come and tell us what we must do because of having been financed.”
Meanwhile, many of those who will be voting on March fifth were emphatic about their needs and concerns.
Concerned Voter #1
“Both political parties seem to have this attitude of being oppressive and vindictive against those who they feel oppose their policies.”
Concerned Voter #2
“The ghetto youths them in Martins, Pinks Alley, all over Belize City we are suffering. The independent candidates, we are here, but you have to fight for the rights of the people.”
And the floor closed with some positive messages and advice for the disadvantaged.
Hipolito Bautista
“No political machinery can defeat the collective will of intelligent Belizeans who have now awakened from their political slumber.”
Herbert Panton
“The external force is the U.D.P., it comes with a batch of new candidates, it comes with the commitment of decency and integrity of the party leader and it comes with a firm resolve to get this country back on its right foot.”
Francis Fonseca
“At the end of the day, if you feel the P.U.P. is the best choice then go and vote for the P.U.P. If you feel the U.D.P. is the best choice, then go and vote for the U.D.P. If you feel Mr. Elrington is the best choice in Pickstock then you go and support him. You have an open mind. I represent a political party, but Belize comes first.”
Marion Ali for News 5.
Today’s forum, which was organized by the National Library Service, was held at the Turton Library on North Front Street in Belize City.
