Tomorrow one thousand students enrolled at the University of Belize in Belize City will have the opportunity to elect new student government leaders. It's a campus election and not the scale of event that normally makes news but this year the race for the UB's student government presidency is making headlines because national personalities are involved. What's even more interesting is who is going up against who which might surprise you. Keith Swift was on campus for the last day of campaigning and has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
They emerged as rebels without a pause at the height of the social activism in 2005; whenever you saw student leader Moses Sulph, his deputy Phillip Willoughby wasn't too far behind. And looking at them then, it's hard to imagine them now: Phillip Willoughby versus Moses Sulph. Its actually Carrie Wong K versus Sulph but if Willoughby had his way, he would have gone head to head with Sulph. He tells us why he couldn't.
Phillip Willoughby,
"The Dean of Student Affairs along with the Student Coordinator has it in their by-laws, the mandate that governs student government and its application, that students who apply to run, it states that I cannot at this point in time due to the fact that I don't have enough credits because I am a part time student."
Keith Swift,
"Phillip we also heard it is because your GPA is under 2.5. Is that so?
Phillip Willoughby,
"Not at this time. I am only doing one subject which is business strategy and management."
And that's where Carrie Wong K comes in.
Carrie Wong K, Candidate
"I think its time for a change to allow new ideas and new people to voice their opinion in the university's democracy."
Keith Swift,
Moses is a popular and well-liked guy, why are you telling people they should choose you over him?
Carrie Wong K,
"The reason I am putting to them they should choose me over him is to give someone else a chance."
She is the Queen of the Bay but wants to dethrone twice elected student government President Moses Sulph. She already has one vote in her favor, an endorsement from current vice president and UDP City Councilor Willoughby.
Carrie Wong K,
"He's been the president two years and there is a lot more I think can be done to improve the university's life, student life on a whole."
Keith Swift,
So Moses hasn't been doing his job?
Carrie Wong K,
"He has, he has."
Keith Swift,
But?
Carrie Wong K,
"There's room for
improvement."
As they held hands while campaigning, Phillip Willoughby says it is not personal between him and Moses Sulph. For him it is simply politics.
Phillip Willoughby,
"Its about deeds, not words. Moses has been in student government for about two years, his tenure, and the reflection to the student body does not warrant me supporting the measures of that particular team. Its not that I am betraying or laying anybody aside, I hope that after the election is done we will maintain a close working relationship, a close friendship. But at this time it is about the larger picture, the student body."
Sulph is campaigning solo. He says he also doesn't feel betrayed that the soldier who stood shoulder to shoulder with him is now undercutting him.
Moses Sulph, Incumbent President
"At the end of the day each man has his own destiny and each man knows his own heart and direct people's direction on where they want to go. I just have to be myself and stand up for equality and justice and that's what I stand for."
Keith Swift,
Do you feel betrayed by Willoughby, your close friend?
Moses Sulph,
"I don't feel betrayed in a way because, as I said before, every man has his own destiny and people have the right to decide what they want to decide and support who they want to support.
We have accomplished a lot in a year, compared to a government who has four years and accomplished nothing. And basically if so is the case for Miss Carrie Wong K, she is a student of the university, yes, and she is also Queen of the Bay. She could have used that power as Queen of the Bay to write against whatever she sees happening in the university and also the country and she has never done that."
And while the platforms are one thing, with the emotions involved, this site-specific election involving national figures and bears watching.
Both Willoughby and Sulph told us today that they are still friends. Voting starts at 8 am and closes at six. Tomorrow's election is only for the Belize City campus and the national student government president is elected at the central campus in Belmopan.
