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Aug 26, 2010

Mark vs. John; whose gospel will the PUP preach on convention day?

There was a buzz since the beginning of the week that PUP party leader,  John Briceño, would be holding the party’s national convention in late September rather than November, when it was originally scheduled.  To political insiders, an early convention meant that his leadership was under challenge and any potential contender would then not have enough time to muster support to topple Briceño.  Soon after a leak of an early convention date, deputy leader of the PUP, Mark Espat called for a meeting with Briceño.  This afternoon at three-twenty-four, Espat arrived with Cordel Hyde, Said Musa, Francis Fonseca and Florencio Marin at Briceño’s Belize City Office at the junction of Princess Margaret Drive and Marine Parade, far from Independence Hall, the PUP headquarters.  Inside the building, the party chairman, Carolyn Trench Sandiford was already seated with Briceño for the brief conference. We say brief, as the meeting did not last more than ten minutes.  And though no one would make an official statement after the meeting, it has been confirmed that Espat and his allies are not fond of an early convention.  Briceño, we are told, said that he never announced a specific date for the convention and it is the national party council who will decide on Saturday.  Word from the Espat camp is that the date for the convening of an early convention was announced on Positive Vibes, the party’s radio station and that they are generally dissatisfied with “the flippant way in which the five parliamentarians were treated.” It seems that Espat is also not in agreement with the call for a party council meeting this Saturday. So will there be a special party council and a September convention? That’s left up in the air. The interest in today’s meeting was that Espat arrived and met with the old guard, which signals that he may be rallying his adversaries for what can only be seen as a future bid for the leadership of the party.


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28 Responses for “Mark vs. John; whose gospel will the PUP preach on convention day?”

  1. JahKid says:

    I have been a PUP from since I started voting but when those HOGS that were outsed did what they did to our Country, mein I have remorse and I won’t say the words, because I have placed the vengeance in GODS hands. But if any of those HOGS and SOWS are in again, I’m out for life from the PUP, my peeps are many and I tell you They will be out also, for life. PEACE & LOVE!!!

  2. Bert says:

    Go Mark Espat.. we need to change Johnny .. !!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Amber Cel says:

    Mark Espat is getting into some very deep water having Said Musa and Francis Fonseca by his side in an attempt to rally support to try and win the leadership of the PUP. This is indeed political suicide for Espat as he take his Albert Division seat with him. Mark my words!!!!
    Belizeans have not forgotten Musa, the Fonsecas and their cronies. Mark and Cordel should be supporting Briceno instead of trying to push the PUP further in the hole. I wonder if X Hyde is sleeping well at night these days

  4. BZNinCALI says:

    John, Mark, Cordel this may be asking too much but why are you allowing the stench from the others to rub off on you?

  5. Magician says:

    Briceno? What a lame duck. Give me Musa anytime over this wannabe PUP leader. Bring back Said, and the PUP will get my money and my vote……………… again.

    Espat? Lots of talk, but no action. Good soldier. Bad leader. Where do I put my X for Musa?

  6. C.M.B says:

    Am in favor of a young, dynamic, visionary like Mr. Mark Espat to head the People’s United Party. If this doesn’t happen, I believe most Belizean youths would be disappointed. We don’t even need to vote on that. Just step aside and cooperate for the betterment of the party Mr. Briceno. I say this with high respect for my party and you.

  7. paul says:

    musa and the old guard has not learned from espats G7 tantics and still suck up to him , musa is a pupet but what about ralph how can he and the old guard trust espat , espat taking over the leadership is the demise of PUP

  8. born belizean says:

    Mark Espat is a racist person,he does not like black people,trust me I KNOW personally,he can not be trusted,evil is within his eyes ! Give me Hon. John Briceno any given day.I believe he do a good job !

  9. Elgin Martinez says:

    Magician: As far as in am concern Musa should have been incarcerated for stealing our money.With all the corruption that is going on in the Jewel why would you want this crook Musa to be your leader?This man has no respect for the Citizens of Belize.

  10. BzInPro says:

    Come on guys it is so crystal clear. If Mark had really wanted and deserved the leadership of the PUP he would have started working around the country long time. So if an early convention is called, so what, if he feels ready let him step up. Let us stop supporting last minute campaigning. Johnny has been ahead of the game, spending his time, personal resources and his love for the party when the party has needed him the most. Now when the UDP government is once more crumbling, and there is hope in the work of the PUP, now so many challenges. Johnny, the party supporter and delegates out there know you have been there when we were down. We will be with you to help this country get back on its feet.

  11. BZNinCALI says:

    Born Belizean, we’re all racist & have to make a conscious decision not to allow our biases to overrule common sense. If his black wife is a cover, he is putting on a damn good act. Whatever his personal beliefs may be or any stupid comments that may have fallen from his lips among friends are negated by his interaction with his constituents who may view him the way most of us view politicians but respect him because he keeps his word. We need good people in both parties & while a little greed & ego is healthy, we want leaders who can make decisions that are best for our country & all of its citizens.

  12. CEO says:

    My Belizean people can you all just get away from all this political BS and start focussing of the state of afairs in the country.

    Does it really matter who leads the party; they all are aware of the things that are needed? Whay not focuss on the crime situation and make sure you hold the feet of who ever becomes the next party leader or the next priminister feet to the fire. If they start out focussing of politics this way the crime situation will get worse. People will be held up in their homes for fear of being hurt on the streets of Belize.

    Just think about what is going on in northern Mexico right now. Please do not allow Belize to get this way. Please do not fall for a load of sand in your yard, a few extra T-shirts with the party logo on them, street patching and grading just before elections. Open your eyes! These are things they should do all year round. What they do for us is not a favor; it is their jobs to serve the public. Let’s hold them accountable. When they do good let them know and when they do bad let them know even louder!

    Peace!

  13. born belizean says:

    BZNinCali-have you ever heard the term”who feel’s it knows it”-well i did .My friend if u want to be a good Politician please do right for the people . You need to be up front with people esp. people who live in your area. Mark wanted to be leader he should have come clean long time ago and get in the grind and work ,he is too laszy .Dont come now to challenge Johnny when he see’s a ez oppertunity.I JUST dont respect him for that , and never will, period !

  14. blvnjah says:

    if mark is lining up with the old guard to take out briceno, just remember the saying “THERE ARE NO PERMANENT FRIENDS OR ENEMIES JUST PERMANENT INTERESTS”.

    HE may feel that is his only option, but i think its a bad move for mark to be aligned with musa and his crew.

  15. florence says:

    It is obvious that you all are talking TRASH. If you consider yourself a PUP then be a mature supporter and support your party REGARDLESS of the past. NO political party/politician is perfect. Let go of all the accusations toward Mr. Musa and Espat. If all you have to say are negative remarks then keep them to yourself. At this time we need to get our PUP party stronger than ever.

  16. Mary says:

    people we need to stop worrying about old guard and new gaurd. We need to bear in mind that the DICTATOR PM BARROW needs some good and VERY STRONG OPPOSITION. Johnny obviously cannot do the job. The man can barely talk. Please, PUP put it together even if it means Said and Ralph. The Belizeans needS to understand that all the constitutional changes that this current Government is doing are taking away their rights.

    Said was bad but he never told people that he doesn’t give two hoots what they have to say. now that is your PRESENT PM. DICTATOR BARROW.

    Barrow is too arrogant to be true

  17. racist? are you kidding says:

    I don’t care about PUP or UDP. But to call Mark Espat a racist is silly. His first wife was a very dark skinned Indian woman. His second wife is actually black. He is married to a daughter of HYDE!!!! How racist can he be against black people if he’s married to a black woman. Stick to the issues “Born Belizean” because you obviously know very little about these people.
    and in case i didn’t mention it before. i cdon’t care for either Johnny or Mark.

  18. NIRO says:

    IF U CONSIDER URSELF A PUP.
    SHAME ON URSELF!!!!!!
    UDP AL D WAY

  19. Elgin Martinez says:

    I don’t know Mark Espat,however this man living with a Black Woman doesn’t mean that he’s not racist against blacks because his wife doesn’t represent the entire black race.It’s just like how a man can live with a woman sleep with this woman every night and still don’t accept the woman’s kids.

  20. Frustrated says:

    I don’t care who will be the leadre of the party, I will still remain a PUP because only under their terms I see good happening in our beloved country.

    PM Barrow is so ignorant and I don’t care about people who do not show appreciation to other human beings like themselves. They promise this and promise that but all they do is blaming, blaming, blaming. I can say that PM barrow is a bad leader to majority of the Belizeans as only FEW are reaping the benefits of his leadership.

    PM Barrow is confused where he’s at right now all most belizeans can see that. I should also make it known that he should maintain the same composure when he was giving his speech when he was invited abroad last week instead of acting in the House of Representative as an idoit or like a dog who always needs supervision.

    THE UDP ADMINISTRATION WILL KILL US.

  21. Carlos trujillo says:

    My family had been with the p.u.p party since hon. George. Price was a real leader.he took us to the liberty and struggle putting belizeans priority first. Said musa did an excellent job in his first administration term,but when he gave ralph fonseca finance portfolio his reputation went down the road. Also it was fonseca who campaign for musa leadership so that he can do whatever he pleased. Now those same peole want 2oust johnny. Plis mark we are not ready 2 support if u side with the fonsecas again. As a belizean and as a supporter of the party i support 100% johnny briceno. Its time 4 a change. No more dirty rats fonsecas nor musas in the party portfolios.mark get support from out district and u can get or muster support.

  22. western says:

    Nelson Tillit from the west is behind Johnny all the way. So is Daffy Duck and Landy Habet. Mark played a dirty role against these guys from cayo and they will never support him

  23. Earl Grey says:

    POLITICS makes STRANGE BED-FELLOWS…… they say!!!
    MUSA is a BALL & CHAIN to the PUP…… and carries a POLITICAL STENCH!!!
    You can’t run too fast with a ball & chain ……..

  24. JR says:

    The PUP must remember that the reason why they loss the election is because the people of this country is sick and tired of Musa and his nonsence. Johnny will get the Job done and Mark you should support him if not the PUP will never win another election. The people has spoken, take heed. Que viva PUP but sorry Musa you got to go…

  25. macal rivera says:

    Oh God Please not an Espat for PM, Espat are owners of almost all land in the Cayo district, espat this, espat that, heck no way, we left in right weh we deh or Johnny, no damm espat ESPAT!!

  26. APOLONIA CASTRO says:

    BELIZEAN STOP ARGUING AND AT THIS MOMENT TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU. BELIZE IS IN A STATE OF DISGRACE; THE CRIME IS EXTREMELY HIGH FOR A VERY SMALL COUNTRY, COST OF LIVING IS VERY HIGH, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS A DISASTER. THE USA MIGHT LOOK GLAMOROUS ON THE BIG SCREEN BUT IT IS NOT ALL THAT. BELIZE IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND HAS GREAT POTENTIAL, BUT IF YOU LAY BACK AND AGRUE AMONG YOURSELF AND LET THE POLITICIANS DSTROY WHAT IS YOURS THEN YOU CAN SAY YOU LOVE BELIZE. BARROW IS NOW VERY RICH IN THE SHORT TIME THAT HE HAS BEEN THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY. MUSA WAS A VERY WEEK LEADER AND FONSECA IS A CON MAN AND THOSE TWO SUPPORTING ESPAT WELL BELIZEAN PEOPLE ARE IN FOR MORE HEARTBREAK. LEAVE BRICENO AS THE LEADER. REMEMBER A TRUE LEADER LEADS HIS PEOPLE AND A WEAK ONE FOLLOW THE CON MAN.

  27. John C says:

    I don’t know Mark Espat or what kind of person he is but I know Johnny and I know him be of strong personal character and that is what Belize needs. He is A man of integrity and honesty who is looking to actually do some good for the country.

  28. BZNinCALI says:

    Elgin,

    If a woman is stupid enough to continue to lay with a man who does not accept her children, she needs to have her head examined. He can keep company with Betty Palmer & her four sisters.

    Espat is MARRIED to the black woman he sleeps with. She has options which includes a father with money, that negates the assumption that she would trade the most productive years of her life to play a role. If anyone believes it was a merger & not a marriage, say so. No one questioned Musa’s beliefs even though he is married to a white woman, often seemed indifferent to the needs of Belizeans & his personal life was rather colorful.

    I don’t care at whose sisters feet Mark & John worship at the end of the day, I want them to stop the BS & look at ways they can be a viable opposition & help change the direction of the country.

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