Patrick Faber Celebrates First Nomination as U.D.P. Party Leader

Today was not about the numbers and muscle. Across the city, the event was without fanfare.  This afternoon, under the watchful eye of the police, the newly minted U.D.P. leader Patrick Faber had his turn to get his name on the ballot. It is his first nomination as leader of his party, so the stakes are high for Faber, who has been representing Collet since 2003. Supporters lined the streets waving party flags as Faber paraded on foot to the Gwen Lizarraga High School on Antelope Street.  His contender is Oscar Arnold, a first time candidate in general elections. Here is News Five’s Isani Cayetano with a report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Nominated for a fifth consecutive time as the United Democratic Party’s candidate of choice for Collet, area representative and party leader Patrick Faber is celebrating a milestone in his political career.  This afternoon, he made his way on foot from the constituency office on Antelope Street to Gwen Lizarraga High School where his candidacy was formally endorsed.

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, U.D.P. Candidate, Collet

“This the first time that I’m being nominated while I am the leader of our beloved party and so it’s a wonderful feeling to be a candidate officially for this party once again.”

Since being elected as an area representative in 2003, Faber has retained his seat in the House of Representatives.  Over the course of the past twenty-five years, he has cultivated a very close relationship with his constituents.

Patrick Faber

“For me, it is constant engagement.  The people of my constituency know the services that we have offered them.  While it is that I try to keep busy with the whole work of government, my constituency office and indeed on occasion I get out myself and engage with our supporters, our voters and even others who don’t support us.  So for me, that is what will count.  Of course, as we now are officially nominated, I am officially nominated, we’re going to try to hit the campaign trail as much as possible but do so in a responsible manner.”

Devoid of the showy display that traditionally marks nomination day, Faber’s arrival was observed by a line of supporters standing at a safe distance from each other.  He waved his supporters as they cheered him on, all while maintaining social distance.

Patrick Faber

“We have always maintained that we can do things in a safe way.  We said that we would not do any kind of motorcade.  We said that we would not do any kind of parading or joining together all those crowds because it is unsafe.  So we thought about safe ways how we can flex a little muscle but not endanger our voters, our supporters, our workers and at the same time sending the message that we’re ready to be nominated and ready to be elected once again.”

Faber’s political opponent this time around is Oscar Arnold, a sitting member of the Belize City Council.  Arnold is a newcomer to politics at the constituency level and Faber is confident of a decisive victory on November eleventh.

Patrick Faber

“I have no difficulty believing that I will win this constituency quite comfortably without any kind of fear.  The people of my constituency understand as well, they understand that I am up to be the prime minister of this country.  They know in fact that, in fact, any victory of mine will translate into victory for them because naturally charity begins at home whenever it is time and we will continue to address the issues of the constituents here in the Collet division as best as we can.  But they understand, as they have always done, while I was deputy prime minister and while I was Minister of Education over all of these years that I have a national role to play and that sometimes takes me away from being with them every single day, but they know the relationship we have.”

The campaign trail, says Faber, has seen a unique approach to vote seeking since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced his team to become innovative in the delivery of his message.  Faber’s relationship with his constituency, to hear him say it, is stronger than ever.

Patrick Faber

“Elections are won because of the relationship with people and you cannot come in a few months before an election and believe that you can win the hearts of people and have a relationship with them.  The relationship that I have with the people of Collet is longstanding, it is over twenty-five years old and so they know me, I know them.  Wih have wih lee squabbles, wih have wih we lee quarrel, everything noh perfect but at the end of the day we are in love with one another.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.