Michael Ashcroft: over the years he's morphed into more than just a wealthy Belizean and British businessman who juggles political and corporate fortunes, it seems, for his fancy. He is in fact a cultural fixture, representative on the one hand of the ruthless investor whose greed imposed higher phone rates, and on the other a savvy player who can withstand, and outmatch the clumsy maneuverings of the Musa administration. Well tonight, we'll show you another Michael Ashcroft: the philanthropist and do-gooder. We know most of you believe in the first two incarnations, but how believable is this one? Well, we'll let you decide.
Keith Swift Reporting, Email - [keithkswift@gmail.com]
This was the scene today when British Tycoon Michael Ashcroft walked down Dean Street. Only 7NEWS was there as Ashcroft made his mid-day tour of Dean Street and the rest of the Mesopotamia division along with another well-known Mike - Mesop Area Representative Michael Finnegan. These southside tourists for a day walked into the middle of traffic and even stopped traffic when they came up to the UDP's Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington and later ICC's Attorney Lionel Welch.
Ashcroft was in the division at the request of Mike Finnegan to tour the area and meet residents face to face.
Michael Ashcroft, Touring Mesopotamia
"A month or so ago Mr. Finnegan asked if when I was next in Belize if I would come down and have a look at his area and see how people were living and what their problems were. I accepted and so on this particular trip, Mr. Finnegan is very kindly showing me around."
The Lord agreed to go on the walking tour with an open mind and ear to this southside community's problems - problems which were made clear from the outset.
Michael Finnegan, Mesopotamia Area Rep.
"My salary has been sliced so that what we used to normally do out of my personal pocket for the people around here, we will find it very difficult in order to do. That is why we have to go out to the business community to try to see whatever way we can garner any kind of benefit for people in the area."
Mesopotamia Resident,
"I have three kids in school, one going to sixth form, and I don't know how I'll pay for them to go back and then I have two more kids going to ACC that we haven't even paid tuition fees for yet."
Michael Ashcroft,
"And where did those benefits used to come from?"
Mesopotamia Resident,
"I guess it was from the government but the lady told us she cannot provide us with the help anymore."
Michael Finnegan,
"The people are locked in a wall. There is definitely something we need to do in order to help the impoverished people in the area."
Michael Ashcroft,
"I look forward to having a further look around and meet some more people and understand the exact problems and issues."
Lord Ashcroft made no promises - only a commitment to try and assist constituents through his foundation. But as he walked through the division, Ashcroft would do more than hear problems. On Dean Street he offered job advice to one young man.
Michael Ashcroft,
[Talking to resident] "There is BTL and also the other telephone company Speednet. Try and get in touch with them for something like that. They are expanding and there may be something there."
He shared laughs with woodcarvers on West Street.
Michael Ashcroft,
[Talking to woodcarvers] "So they come and try to bargain with you here. They tell you difficult it is to sell anything and how you should sell them for next to nothing? Ha ha."
And when he wasn't making small talk, he was hopping drains and making his way through West Street's alleyways. And to just be on the safe side - he even stopped in at the Dean Street Police Station.
Back on West Street, Ashcroft and Finnegan were working the division as if they were on the campaign trail. Every available inch of flesh was pressed.
[Going to door to door greeting residents]
Michael Finnegan,
"You can't say you haven't shaken a white man hand yet….Yes man this is Mr. Ashcroft. You neva believe the man mi wah come dah your house? You see what all your area representative does for you."
Michael Ashcroft,
"Well I've taken the horns off and the tail and left them at home today."
But as he walked through the division glad-handing residents, Ashcroft made it clear to us that he isn't trying to win a popularity contest. He says he relates to the needs of the residents on the southside since - as surprising as it may sound - he too had a humble upbringing.
Michael Ashcroft,
"My roots are the north of England where at that time the houses were two rooms upstairs, two downstairs, and the toilet was in the back garden. I was born into the heart of industrial Britain just after World War II. I was also an illegitimate child and therefore to that extent my roots are very humble. But I've been blessed with any enormous fortune through my life to be able to live it as I have and therefore I still have tremendous empathy for how people live."
And because he is blessed, Michael Finnegan says there is no shame in turning to Michael Ashcroft to help his constituents.
Michael Finnegan,
"What is important for me is the people who I represent. They come number 1, number 2, number 3, number 4, number 5, and right down the line. We have been neglected by government for the past 7 years. We have received absolutely nothing from the government of Belize, the people in this area, and we are on our belly now and it is time for the people to derive some legal legitimate benefit from somebody in this country that does legitimate business in this country."
Keith Swift,
What do you hope will come out of this visit?
Michael Finnegan,
"Well what I would hope would come out of this visit is something that will be beneficial to the masses of the people in this area."
Keith Swift,
You think you'll be able to do any help in this division?
Michael Ashcroft,
"Well a number of months ago I was asked to go around Port Loyola by Boots and had a look at some of the problems there and I was able to help on some educational matters."
And if you ask Ashcroft why he's doing this and whose side he is on?
Michael Ashcroft,
"Well I'm on nobody's side. I'm neither PUP, UDP, or third party and my roots run deep in Belize and for those that don't know, I was at Elementary School when it was St. Catherine's in Belize in the 1950s and therefore I can remain in Belize as very much detached from the local politics. As a businessman I deal with the governments of the day whether it's the blues or the reds or anybody else that is here and that's the way it will always remain."
And that seemed fine by these residents today who were curious and mildly surprised to see Michael Ashcroft walking through their neighborhood. Now only time will tell if he was a tourist in their poverty or a real resident in the Belizean experience."
The Michael Ashcroft Foundation will make a final decision in the near future on what help if any can be forwarded to the residents of Mesopotamia. As mentioned - Ashcroft visited Port Loyola last August and so far his Foundation has helped 322 students with tuition, books, and uniforms at a cost of $25,000.
