Marcel Cardona moved across the aisle
Dean Barrow
Albert and Lake I representatives, Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde were back today, but there was one notable absence on the Hill in Belmopan. Orange Walk East Representative Manuel Cardona stole the show at the last House Meeting when he berated his own U.D.P. government. Since then, the U.D.P. has considered him persona non grata and essentially he is a politician without a party. And since he couldn’t cross the floor and join the P.U.P., everyone wondered where Cardona would sit. What stood out like a sore thumb and graphic reminder that now he’s completely out in the cold, was the reinsertion of the P.U.P.’s back bench into the chamber. Cardona’s new desk, labeled “Un-affiliated,” formed the second row for the Opposition, but not quite because his placement is closer to the door. It’s the first time in history that the parliament has this designation and according to Prime Minister Barrow, it was solely the judgment of the Speaker of the House.
Dean Barrow
“You’d have to talk to the speaker about that it was the speaker; we made our representations to the Speaker in terms of pointing out that Mr. Cardona had issued press releases and said various things indicating that he no longer supported the Government and we left it at that. As to where he was seated entirely a decision of the Speaker and he would have to tell you how it is that that particular placement was arrived at.”
Following the last House Meeting, Cardona’s “constructive resignation” from the U.D.P. was accepted, even though he hadn’t tendered one.
This is illegal Dismissal by the UDP. Independent thinkers clearly looking on can see that Mr. Cardona’s statement was in no way an indication by him to resign. The myopic actions of the UDP show that they are not open to, inter alia; 1. freedom of speech 2. open criticism of the party 3. freedom of conscience 4. opposition and 5. diversity. To impose ‘constructive resignation’ where it is not intended is a cowardly act. Why not simply concoct some other legal euphemism to ‘throw’ Mr. Cardona out of the party if you all don’t want him there or no longer appreciate his presence in your party?
Secondly, was there any natural justice? Did the Speaker of the House give Mr. Cardona a fair hearing before sending him across the aisle? If not, it is an arbitrary move and it is most illegal. I am appalled by the hypocrisy of legal minds within our esteemed government. Isn’t there a moral obligation to speak out or act within clearly defined legal boundaries? Or is this tribute only reserved to paying clients?
HIPOCRITE DEAN BARROW YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED TOO, Hon.Marcel Cardona is a hero to its constituents and people,he stood for them against his own ARROGANT AND IGNORANT UDP GOVERNMENT,
I cannot comment on the legality of this move since I am not a Lawyer, but I can say that this zeitgeist is indicative of the change that the ruling party intends to make to continue their control.
These changes show that we are proceeding down into a situation that could change the freedoms we have. These small changes that are ocurring in our society are indicative of a direction to change how we operate in our country.
BELIZEANS beware of this and stay focused. These are changes to manipulate the zeitgeist for their underlying agenda.
Did anyone check out the connecteion between the Pm and the Speaker. It goes way back to when the speaker was a child. nuff said, in other words the speaker would only carry out barrow’s wishes so our Pm wthout backbone is trying to pretend he had nothing to do with this. cardona is more of a man than the PM wpuld ever be!
dah soh wee rest, wee mek di rules az wi di go lang! oh we also like tro in soh big words fih try fool de pippl. UDP all di way
“Dissent is the greates form of patritism.” For this to be reality all people including politicians need to be very mature in their way of thinking and the way they do business.
In Belize if you dissent you are shown the door and malined and treated the way Cardona is being treated. I do not think the PUP should be let back in anytime soon because of the way they conducted business the last go around but Barrow is making it very easy for them to get back in power: Cardona then Zenida who is next! He is dismantling his party himself!
CARDONA MAKE HIS HARD WELL LET HIM LIE ON IT, NUFF SAID
WE IN UDP NO WANT WAN CRAZY MAN, DID YOU GUYS KNEW THAT CARDONA GOES TO CHET EVERY TWO WEEK TO SEE HIS PSYCHIATRIC DOCTOR, THAT MAN IS ON MEDICATION, HE IS MENTALLY ILL
To ‘UDP no matta wat’ I hope UDP wan de wit u all the way too and wan gat u back and noh treat u like how dem some of their fellow UDPs! At the end of the day voting should be based on competency and not party politics, nor should our conscience be stifled in the name of party politics and party loyalty. How else will we progress as a society? When dem UDP can’t even tek some licks from one of their own. Like some touchy lil pickny. Cardona hurt dem feelings so dem send he cross the aisle. It is time to get out of the ‘you mess with me, I’ll show you wat I got up’ mentality. They are egotistical just wanting to prove what all they can do with their power. You don’t use power to victimize and marginalize people (it proves you are the smaller person) you use it to help give people jobs and develop the country.
CARDONA DESERVED WHAT HE GOT, ASK THE PEOPLE FROM HIS AREA, HIS PROUD WIFE CONTROL EVERYTHING AND JUST A FEW BENEFITS OK, YOU PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR TWO SIDE OF THE STORY