Godwin Haylock Vs Shane Williams for Queen Square
For the first time in four decades, the Queen Square division is going to have a U.D.P. standard bearer that does not carry the Barrow surname. The constituency is located on the south side of Belize City and is fielding two candidates who are going head-to-head in hopes of becoming the next U.D.P. area representative. We say area representative because that division has long been considered a safe seat in the House of Representatives for the United Democratic Party and was held by three-term Prime Minister Dean Barrow for four decades. The current area rep is Denise “Sista B” Barrow, the erstwhile prime minister’s sibling. Today, News Five caught up with Shane Williams and Godwin Haylock. While their names may seem new to politics, they have been in the political trenches.
Godwin Haylock
Godwin Haylock, Candidate, Queen Square U.D.P. Convention
“It’s really a coveted division. In fact I would say the crown jewel of the U.D.P. divisions in Belize, the country of Belize. We have done it all in Queen Square; we’ve been the only division to date that has brought home and three-term prime minister post independence era.”
Duane Moody
“Talk to us about the game plan going into this convention because you are the favoured candidate.”
Godwin Haylock
“Simple game plan. We care for Queen Square. It is just a natural elevation from the Barrows. I’ve been working with them; I’ve been in the trenches twenty plus years, bringing our voters, offering services to the people of Queen Square. I promote what politics is all about, making life better, improving the lives of everyone in the community.”
Duane Moody
“What is it that the voters clamouring for?”
Godwin Haylock
“I think they want a young leader, who listens, who cares and I have been caring all the time. They’ve been knowing this for many years; I think they are waiting for me in Queen Square. I set the game plans in helping creating houses for the poor in Queen Square, help creating resource center in Queen Square, helping the basketball court improve. My job in Queen Square has been many years ago, coming to this day with a big grand culmination with convention.”
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, Candidate, Queen Square U.D.P. Convention
“It’s a huge honour to have my name down on a ballot and give my family and friends who I grew up with an opportunity to vote for someone that they know personally. So it is a great honour that I don’t take lightly. This is my community, this is the park that I grew up in as a little boy, playing football here, getting into some little trouble here and things like that. So this is my community and I am proud that people who live here will have an opportunity to vote for someone they know.”
Duane Moody
“What’s the strategy going into the convention this weekend?”
Shane Williams
“The main thing will be about mobilization, getting people out because in order to get things the way you want, we have to face things the way they are. And the way the convention is set up it is at Saint John’s Primary School and reality is that there are certain people in this side of the community that won’t feel safe going over there to vote, so mobilization is key. So the strategy will be getting as many people who live in the area out as possible because I believe if we get the voters out who live in this area, then I will be victorious.”
Duane Moody
“We understand that you have the support of the party leader at this time.”
Shane Williams
“That is not the case. The only support I have is them allowing me to run and that’s all I can ever ask for.”
