As we've been reporting, the Chamber of Commerce and its partners LOVE FM and Galen University are moving full speed ahead with the planning for a National Leadership Debate on October 28th, even though neither of the mass parties have given an absolute confirmation.
So far, the only confirmation has come from the independent parties, the BPF and the BPP - none of which have ever won a single seat in an election.
But, today, the proposed debate got a big plug when the UDP Leader - who, up to now - had given no confirmation - gave it a big plug:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"From a politically strategic perspective there might be argued that - a) you don't have anything to win by being in the debate and, b) you certainly will face attacks from 3 sides, rather than just one and the 2 independent parties who've none of them have ever won a seat or gotten 10% of the vote. They don't have anything to lose at all."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Party Leader, U.D.P.
"The U.D.P. has nothing to gain in terms of political stock, except to demonstrate that they have the best political leader of all of the parties. That is something that is yet to be determined by some apparently and so it gives me an opportunity to demonstrate to them that I am certainly up to the challenge of governing this nation. It is true that it is going to be open season, open target on the leader of the U.D.P., myself, but this is what leadership is all about. You cannot run from the battles, I am prepared to stand and to stand strong for my party. However, there are some concerns that we have. There are some considerations that we would like to ask of them and if that can be resolved, the UDP will most certainly participate. If not then we still reserve the right to not participate."
Faber stressed though that his party has some concerns and considerations that it is working through with the Leadership Debates Committee before it gives absolute confirmation.
A release from the group says the PUP and the Belize Popular Front have also presented questions and concerns.
