Fuller knocks Barrow, will run as independent
If there is any special characteristic to this year’s general election, it is the large number of independent candidates. And today, one more aspiring representative officially threw his hat in the ring. As News 5’s Marion Ali reports, while the race may be nominally for the Albert Division, his campaign is clearly directed against a man in Queen’s Square.
Marion Ali, Reporting
He cried foul when he and the U.D.P. fell out last November. Now one month before general elections, former U.D.P. Albert standard-bearer Sydney Fuller, says he will contest the race independently. But he sees a challenging race ahead.
Sydney Fuller, Independent Candidate, Albert
“I have been campaigning against Mark Espat for the last four years when he is the current area rep and I was aspiring to take his position. But since November when I was removed, there became an additional obstacle in my way in the name of Mrs. Marilyn Williams…I did not and will not support Ms. Williams and my fight continues against Mark Espat as well.”
Fuller says because he has been campaigning so long, his late entry as an independent is no handicap, and he claims his support in the area is solid.
Sydney Fuller
“If you are a person working in an area, especially one like the Albert Division where there is a lot of business places and these people know you, for four, five years that you’ve been there working and campaigning with them, when they see wrong being done to you and you can explain to them the situation, these people will come out and support you financially and otherwise.”
Marion Ali
“I’m going to ask you the question point blank. Did you receive any promises and or offers by anybody to run in this election as an independent?”
Sydney Fuller
“No. The only promises I received and I’ll be honest and confess this, is the promise from the people and voters of the Albert, they promise to vote for me on election day. That’s the promise I received.”
As far as leadership goes, who does Fuller support for Prime Minister?
Sydney Fuller
“When we look, and I speak from experience with Barrow and the way he behaves, I don’t think Belize people really want a dictator as I have said earlier on. Said Musa, yes, has his faults, but that’s a decision the people of Belize would have to make. I will not determine that decision for them. I think it is my duty to let the people know who is Dean Barrow.”
Fuller says he will campaign on the issues of education, job opportunities, and healthcare. Marion Ali reporting for News 5.
The U.D.P. has consistently maintained that Fuller agreed to step down and was not forced out. His change of heart, they say, is the result of financial incentives offered to Fuller by the People’s United Party.
