Mark Espat says he’s not starting a third party

The Opposition appeared, at least for the cameras on Tuesday, to be one happy family. And when Espat took the couch this morning, we also inquired about the state of affairs in the PUP and the viability of a third party. He explained that he supports third parties,  and answered the question on whether he would give credence to reports that he is planning to start a third party.

Mark Espat, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

“I would want to see as many political parties as possible, as viable in our democracy and so I certainly think that the emergence of the VIP and the PNP and any other party that feel that they offer a unique alternative should come forward. A lot of my voters say to me in frustration that they see politics, at least since independence in 1981, as blue getting their turn, red getting their turn and playing the same tune. I hope that we can ensure that our party will be different and that is why I mentioned that we would have to come up with some kind of binding covenant with the Belizean people. But I think it is a good thing for alternatives to be put forward. At the end of the day, the more Belizeans that are involved in the political process—whether as informed and educated voters, whether as candidates, whether as activists—I think that is a very positive thing for our young democracy.”

William Neal

“We’re not going to see you re-inventing yourself, so to speak, with the birth of a new party?”

Mark Espat

“At this point in time, I am committed to fighting for the best PUP we can have. Clearly we have made grievous mistakes, mistakes grievous enough to get us booted out of office in our worst defeat two years ago. The question for us in the PUP is whether we are going to be true to our creed, whether we are going to be a part of change and justice, whether we are going to put the people and not the special interests first and I am involved in politics because I would want a different Belize.”