As we showed you earlier, the biggest political event of 2008 was the decisive general election, and that set the stage for two dramatic political conventions. First in the PUP, where Party Leader Said Musa stepped down, giving way to a bitter leadership battle between Francis Fonseca – who was the favorite of the party's old guard establishment, John Briceno, who had the support of a wide cross-section of party progressives, and Mark Espat who represented the party's reform wing. Espat eventually bowed out, citing a corrupt convention process, and Briceno did the same, calling the convention process fraudulent. But days before the election, he changed his mind and got back into the running. He was coming from behind, against the establishment favorite, but Briceno pulled off one heck of an upset. Here's how the convention went.
[Airdate: March 31st]
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
The streets of Belmopan were bannered Briceno's slogan was "tek back wi party" versus a very status quo appeal of just "Francis For Party Leader."
A sizeable crowd gathered on the compound of the Belmopan Civic Center and it looked like some kind of political fair, creative landscaping and all – but this was no day at the park, it was war. And while supporters jostled outside, inside Briceno and Fonseca were cordial and Briceno also greeted Said Musa on the last day in his 12-year term as leader.
Outside, the signs covered the area, sometimes they were right beside each other, but in terms of number of supporters Briceno had a visible edge and Fonseca had placards in reserve- but simply not enough supporters to carry them all.
But what happened outside was just scenery, what counted was this line leading to this desk where delegates queued up and were vetted to enter the Civic Center. Only 652 whose names were on the delegate list were allowed inside.
Some candidates and their delegates like Rodwell Ferguson from Stann Creek West wore their loyalty on their shirts. And Dan Silva from Cayo who is a Briceno supporter had to argue for his standing as a delegate to go inside. But beyond the door was much calmer as Briceno and Fonseca lined up to greet their delegates and candidates.
At noon the line was closed and after some jostling at the entrance, it was locked to outsiders. The media was also locked out, and we had to peer in through the burglar barred side doors. First to come out after voting was Leader Emeritus George Price who was taunted with cheers for John Briceno.
[Crowd Shouting: ‘Johnny, Johnny!']
And as the crowd cheered on, Mike Espat seemed oblivious to what they were shouting as he left. And they got even more vocal when Briceno came to the door. And outside the entrance it turned into a shouting match between soldiers for both sides.
[One Group shouting ‘Johnny' & another shouting ‘Francis']
And while the festival atmosphere over the top, it was no child's play
inside where the votes were being counted and tallied. Briceno stepped out to a huge lead and it became apparent that he would win, leaving Fonseca's team looking crestfallen while the Briceno crowd erupted. And after a quick embrace with Said Musa – the celebration inside continued and outside, pandemonium erupted under the blue tent, only this time there was one name being chanted.
[Crowd Shouting: ‘Johnny' & then Chanting ‘We don't want no Fonseca, bring back di PUP']
The sound and the fury of people who had taken back their party, and inside Fonseca and Briceno were taking the obligatory picture - notably without outgoing leader Said Musa. And with a congratulatory kiss from his wife Rosanna, Briceno gave his acceptance speech.
Johnny Briceno, PUP Leader
"My friends I told you that there were three good men who entered this race, men who I believe love this party with all their hearts. To Francis my brother, my friend, my colleague – I offer my thanks for being a worthy opponent and a true and honorable man. To my friend Mark Espat I also offer my thanks for all always reminding us that we must do right by all manner of persons.
Our victory is one not only for the party but for the country and now we must begin to make good on our promise that we will be back in Belmopan in 5 years time."
Jules Vasquez,
Francis do you believe your campaign was blighted by association with the Musa/Fonseca axis?
Francis Fonseca, Defeated
"I don't know Jules, I don't want to attribute my loss to anything at this point. I think I will have to look back and reflect on it."
Jules Vasquez,
Sir are you surprised at the sudden reversal? One week ago you were about to be installed or endorsed as leader and now you are the losing candidate for leader in just a week. How could he come from behind and overtake you so quickly?
Francis Fonseca,
"Well I don't know that he came from behind. Yes he had withdrawn from the race but that does not mean that he had lost support from people. When
he reentered the race, obviously the same people who had been supporting him came back to him."
Johnny Briceno,
"I wish I could describe it but I am humbled by the people, the delegates who came out to give me their support and I want to promise them that I will not let them down, I will do my best to serve the PUP and this country."
Jules Vasquez,
John is this a defeat for the Musa/Fonseca axis, is it about that as much as it is about John Briceno?
Johnny Briceno,
"This is a victory for the party, we have shown that we could come here as one family and elect a new party leader."
Jules Vasquez,
But the Musa/Fonseca tandem did not support you, Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca worked against you in this election.
Johnny Briceno,
"Well I don't know who the former party leader supported but the important point is that here we came as a family, no fighting, we decided who we wanted for our leader."
Jules Vasquez,
Will you work towards expelling Mark Espat; procedures are already underway to expel him? As party leader will you pursue that?
Johnny Briceno,
"Mark Espat is a good PUP, Mark Espat has worked for the PUP, Mark Espat has helped to make the PUP a successful party and I look forward to continue to work with Mark Espat in the PUP."
Jules Vasquez,
John do you think about what if you had not chosen to take up this mantle and had left it at where it was that you would not pursue because this process, you said, is fraudulent? You won in the fraudulent process?
Johnny Briceno,
"What is important to talk about is that we decided that this party is so important to all of us because we love this party and we are committed to this party and when I started getting calls across this country who are saying that we need to do something, we need to bring hope to this party, we need to bring unit to this party, we need to get back together and work. And I listen to their calls and I am humble that just in 5 days of campaigning that the people came back with me, the delegates stood by me."
Francis Fonseca,
"It was a close election but Johnny Briceno is the new leader of the People's United Party and Francis Fonseca is going to do everything to ensure that he succeeds as the party leader."
And outside the crown took him on a wave of jubilation, they had taken back their party, reason for passionate excitement and the hope that this Leader of the Opposition won't hold that ‘Opposition' title too long.
And so while the PUP had a new duly elected leader of the opposition, as the year ends, Briceno continues to be plagued by attacks and minor insurgences from an old guard, which, basically refuses to accept his leadership.
