He faces a current legislative deficit of twenty-six to three, commands a slate of many first time candidates and is staring into the face of what looks like an early election. But why is Leader of the Opposition, Dean Barrow, smiling? This afternoon he got the chance to explain. Dean Barrow, Leader of the Opposition […]
While we’re on the subject of early elections, the Office of the Prime Minister has reacted to yesterday’s news story on the suspicious timing of next week’s budget speech. In a press release today, sent with the stated intention of assisting the media with their research, we are given the dates of the last fourteen […]
Over the last several newscasts we’ve heard from numerous politicians on the subject of an early election. Both parties say they are ready, and not surprisingly, each is certain of victory. But what do the voters think of going to the polls in February or March instead of August? Today News 5’s Marion Ali hit […]
In yesterday’s newscast we examined the pros and cons of government calling an early election. Today, an announcement from Cabinet offered a strong indication that the Prime Minister has made his decision…and it looks like that the vote will come soon, perhaps as early as February. The seemingly innocuous announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office […]
This afternoon I had the opportunity to speak to one man who deals with the art and science of electoral politics twenty-four seven. Francis Fonseca, Secretary Gen., PUP “We’re working, we’re working, that’s the big difference between us and the UDP. We work, and we work hard everyday.” Enter Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. candidate for Freetown…PUP […]
Depending on which side of the political fence you’re on, the last four years and four months have either flown by or moved painfully slowly. And while according to law, the next general election is not absolutely due until around the end of November–approximately five years and three months from the last election–word on the […]
Traditional political wisdom in Belize holds that the chances of success for any third party or independent candidate are somewhere between slim and none…and slim just left town. But despite the hard lessons of history, there has never been a shortage of brave men and women ready to beat the odds. Today I sat down […]
T’is the Christmas season, but who says politics can’t be a part of it. The People’s United Party will be holding its City Council convention Saturday at the Wilton Cumberbatch Field on Caesar Ridge Road. Incumbent Mayor David Fonseca says the slate, for what should be an endorsing convention, features four new candidates as part […]
Meanwhile, one politician who went silent over recent years is suddenly back in election mode. Estevan Perera, remembered best for his intimate involvement in the now defunct People’s Democratic Party, says he has been saving up to finance his new campaign. Perera, who is now running an independent race for mayor, says he has a […]
Yesterday when we tried to get an official reaction to reports that Budget Minister Ralph Fonseca had left the country due to health problems, government’s response appeared to be lifted verbatim from the old Soviet Union’s handbook of public relations. Today, however, we have been treated to a full explanation of the minister’s medical condition, […]
The political rumour machine was in high gear this weekend after reports that Minister of Budget Management Ralph Fonseca had suffered a heart attack. News 5 understands that on Friday the fifty-three year old Fonseca suffered chest pains and after visiting his local doctor, was referred to a hospital in the United States. Fonseca left […]
Politics is a rough and tumble business, not for the faint of heart. Today in the wake of a knockdown drag out battle for the U.D.P.’s Belize City Mayoral nomination, the winner is preparing for the future, the loser is crying foul, and the party leader is trying to make the best of a bad […]
With the U.D.P. energy running high for Sunday’s mayoral convention, News 5 spoke today with the two candidates: Wayne Usher and Ann-Marie Williams. Usher, who entered the arena in September, believes his years in managerial positions make him the ideal candidate for City Hall. Wayne Usher, U.D.P. Mayoral Aspirant “Due to the work that I […]
As the various national and municipal elections draw closer, we will no doubt begin to see a number of stories like the next one…that is where politics is never far beneath the surface. Today’s tale centres around two bus stop shelters built in the Belama area of Belize City. The builder calls them a badly […]
Fonseca for Freetown…that’s the latest cry out of the P.U.P. political camp. Francis Fonseca that is. The thirty-three year old Secretary General of the People’s United Party has confirmed that at a national executive meeting on Thursday he got the nod as the new the face in Freetown, replacing area representative Jorge Espat, who chose […]
The venue for the Prime Minister’s announcement was the beginning of the Dangriga leg of his nationwide tour. The P.M. was received at the town’s entrance this morning with a cultural welcome. He visited the drainage project on Saint Vincent Street and toured a number of the town’s neighbourhoods, accompanied by Mayor Cassian Nunez. One […]
The U.D.P. said that Sydney Fuller was actively supporting his newly imposed successor in the Albert Division. But ever since Fuller publicly disavowed his agreement to be dumped, the United Democratic Party has had a tiger by the tail. Today Fuller told News 5’s Marion Ali that not only is he unhappy with his ouster, […]
And while we’re on the subject of former candidates, the full page advertisement for Jorge Espat in this week’s Amandala comes as something of a shocker. That’s because a week ago Espat announced his intention to leave politics and not seek re-election to his seat as Freetown representative. What happened? Sources close to Espat say […]
When the latest U.D.P. candidate reshuffle was announced earlier this week, party executives claimed to have the support from both outgoing standard bearers. But today, Sydney Fuller, the former U.D.P. candidate in the Albert Division said not so. According to Fuller, “The events that have happened are an indication that the party has once again […]
Breaking news from the United Democratic Party tonight is a candidate reshuffle that will see new faces in the city and the south. At a mid-afternoon press conference today, Party Leader Dean Barrow informed a roomful of supporters that in the Albert Division, standard bearer Sidney Fuller will be replaced by Senator Marilyn Williams. Despite […]
In the Stann Creek West division, Glen Eiley, Placencia Village Chairman, has replaced Duncan McPherson. McPherson told the press he was stepping down for personal reasons and made sure the audience knew exactly where his loyalties lie. Duncan McPherson, Former. U.D.P. Candidate, Stann Creek W. “None of us were born perfect. Likewise organizations, such as […]
In other news from the red corner, another Belize City resident has thrown his hat into the mayoral ring. Last week Wayne Usher, a Barrack Road businessman and former permanent secretary, announced that he will seek the Belize City mayor’s seat in the municipal elections in March. According to Usher, his strategy is to get […]
The People’s United Party took a direct hit today as another party member submitted his resignation letter to leader Said Musa. Freetown Area Representative Jorge Espat, has decided not to contest next year’s general election. According to a government press release, during a meeting with the Prime Minister, Espat said that he would continue to […]
The major reason for this morning’s meeting of the House of Representatives may have evaporated, but the politicians still had plenty to talk about. News 5’s Janelle Chanona was on hand in Belmopan. Janelle Chanona, Reporting It was a full house on Independence Hill today as Belize’s elected representatives prepared to debate those bills before […]
At the same time former Minister and Stann Creek West representative Henry Canton leaves the world of politics for the private sector, so too does a colleague from the West. Agriculture Minister Dan Silva will remain in that post until the elections, but will not be running for his seat in Cayo Central. This weekend […]
