PUP Albert Standard Bearer Mark Espat faces imminent expulsion from the PUP – but Cordel Hyde says he will not resign because of it. In a telephone interview this morning, Hyde made it clear that he does stand in solidarity with Espat. But he won’t resign, he says, because the people of Lake Independence elected him to represent them and he cannot abdicate from that responsibility.
But he stresses that he will not back down from his outspoken positions –and will not tow the party line or do anything to save himself from an expulsion. And he stresses that while in time they can kick him out of the party, they can’t kick him out of the House of Representatives because, quote “the people, not the party put me there.”
Hyde also described the conspiracy accusation leveled against Mark Espat as bogus. Yesterday, in his letter recommending expulsion, Leader Emeritus George Price accused Espat of colluding with the UDP government in their plan to arrest Party Leader Said Musa.
Also weighing in on those charges today was Orange Walk Central Area Representative John Briceno. In a press statement, he condemns the reasons given for Espat’s proposed expulsion. He says, quote: “the Hon. Mark Espat has….rightly criticized particular policies carried out by certain persons in the leadership
of the PUP. Such criticism cannot…. Be confused with criticism of the party and ought to be welcomed (after) the Belizean people so soundly rejected us at the polls.”
He adds: “if we refuse to listen, and instead try to forcefully subdue and gag any who ‘dare’ to speak out, I fear for the future of the party.” And he concludes: "Mark Espat is….one of only six persons who were victorious for the party in recent elections. He won by 636 votes, the highest margin of victory of any PUP candidate. …. to expel the Hon. Espat would be to turn our backs on these people and on the principles of the party. “
Strong words, but Briceno is playing to the gallery not the orchestra, because we get the sense, they already know how this tune’s going to end. And sources say that could play out as early as next week – when the National Council meets to consider the recommendation of the Order of Distinguished Service.
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