Today was nomination day - the day that political nominees of every colour and affiliation formally register as candidates for the 31 available seats in the House of Representatives. Nomination is a pretty straightforward process but nomination day has taken on a life of its own. It is now more about a show of numbers - and an opportunity for the mass parties to flex their muscle and machinery. And that is just what happened in the city today. The first of the two mass parties in the nomination gate was the People’s United Party that went in the morning. Nomination rallies and parades were held across the country but a major one was held in Belize City for the 9 candidates. Keith Swift reports.
Keith SwiftReporting,
The morning was cool but PUP supporters were fired up - as they marched - or more like partied - on their way to the Complex Building. Numbers count on nomination day and the PUP brought out hundreds of supporters. This is what the crowd looked like from atop the Complex Building. A decent size but not massive. But there was energy on the ground.
And in the middle of the sea of blue and white were standard bearers, Mark Espat from Albert, Francis Fonseca for Freetown, Austin Waight for Mesopotamia, Pickstock’s Godfrey Smith, Collet’s Carolyn Trench Sandiford, Anthony Sylvestre for Queen’s Square, and Oscar Rosado for Port Loyola who danced and marched in lockstep with supporters.
And the candidates say the mood was celebratory because they are celebrating - an imminent victory.
Francis Fonseca, PUP Chairman/Standard Bearer - Freetown
“We’re feeling very very good and we’re going to work
very hard over the next two weeks and a half to deliver a decisive victory to the People’s United Party in Freetown.”
Keith Swift,
Do you accept the odds are against your party?
Francis Fonseca,
“No absolutely not. Absolutely not. We believe that the great majority of Belizeans particularly over the last year have recognized that yes we have faced challenges but that the PUP has delivered for the people of Belize.”
Godfrey Smith, PUP Deputy Leader/Standard Bearer - Pickstock
“I would concede that maybe 8 months ago the odds definitely looked like they were against us but the momentum, the hype has been steady. Its been steady since the time of our convention and things have changed and so things have changed definitely in favor of the PUP.”
Keith Swift,
Miss Carolyn its nomination day - how are you feeling today?
Carolyn Trench Sandiford, PUP Candidate Pickstock
“Very inspired, very encouraged, very hype.”
Keith Swift,
What do you think your chances are?
Carolyn Trench Sandiford,
“Excellent.”
Keith Swift,
Do you accept that the odds are against the PUP, the incumbent?
Carolyn Trench Sandiford,
“Absolutely not. The people believe in the PUP - they believe in Belize.”
But that confidence isn’t so clear cut for Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat
are back under the big blue tent. The once rebel Ministers say they never left the party.
Mark Espat, PUP Standard Bearer - Albert
“I believe that this election is more than just about Albert where we have a sterling record. It is also about Belize and the people of Albert will put somebody back in the house that they know will put the national interest first.”
Keith Swift,
What do you tell voters when they say you are a sellout because you came out of Cabinet but you haven’t left the party. You’re still running under the banner of a man who a lot of people aren’t very happy with.
Mark Espat,
“Well the motto of the party is to serve the people and I’ve been serving the people and I will continue to serve the people. And when tested they know that we have voted on the side of the people and I will do that again when they return me to Belmopan.”
Cordel Hyde,PUP Standard Bearer - Lake I
“A vote for Cordel Hyde is a vote for someone who stands up for his
people, someone who stands up no matter what the consequences, and at the end of the day I have proven that I will stand up for my people no matter what. I will put my constituents before anything else.”
Keith Swift,
But you are still running on a slate with a man who a lot of voters aren’t happy with.
Cordel Hyde,
“Well I never said that I left the People’s United Party. I’ve had my difficulties inside the party but I’ve never left the party.”
That party’s leader is of course two term Prime Minister Said Musa from Fort George. This morning he was subdued and didn’t join the parade until it was on the home stretch. It ended at the Complex Building where police officers kept the crowd at bay - while Musa along with the other standard bearers for the city went inside. That is where they were formally nominated by six voters from each division. It is a fairly quick process - and after, Musa told me that despite everything that has gone wrong in his government - all the talk of corruption - the tide has changed - and the march today - was a march to victory.
Said Musa, PUP Leader/Candidate for Fort George
“I feel very confident. I feel the last month or so the tide has definitely
turned in favor of the People’s United Party and I am honored to be the leader of this party that has brought about all the major changes in Belize and the people know that. I feel very confident. Yes winning a third term is difficult for any government, for any party but I feel very confident that we are going to do it.”
But to do it- Musa and the PUP will have to beat a more organized and well-financed opposition. Musa says the UDP can bring it on.
Said Musa,
“I love a challenge, I love a fight. We’ve always been faced with a strong opposition. Yes 1998 they were on their way out but in 2003 they had a major comeback and yet the PUP was still able to maintain its majority and maintain a very strong majority. So I am not scared about the well financed, well organized UDP.”
And that’s the message Musa took to the podium when he addressed the crowd that gathered in front of the Complex Building.
Said Musa: Do you want an elected senate?
Crowd: Yes.
Said Musa: Do you want more progress in Belize?
Crowd: Yes.
Said Musa: Do you want the PUP?
Crowd: Yeah.
Musa left but the celebration continued. Cordel Hyde was dancing and so was Oscar Rosado while Carolyn Trench Sandiford was carried out as if she had already won. All this as PUP flags were freely waved and people danced in the streets - and voters were once again welcomed to the party. But shirts and placards don’t vote - people do. And so the real challenge for the PUP will be to convert the number of people they have out here today into actual votes on Election Day. Reporting for 7NEWS I am Keith Swift.
