Last Wednesday, the UDP experienced the largest single municipal elections wipeout in more than a decade; the opposition party went from holding 41 of the 67 municipal seats to just two.
For a comparison of such slippage, you'd have to go back to 2006, when when Said Musa's PUP had won 54 seats in 2003, but when the votes were tallied in 2006, the blue held unto only three seats.
And there lies the UDP now - down from 41 to only two seats - but the party wanted everyone to know that they hold them proudly. We went to San Ignacio to see the red's only two two councillors countrywide sworn in:
They're the only two UDP town councillors in the country - and both have been on the San Ignacio Town Board for 18 years. Bernadette Fernandez took the oath for another three this morning as did her now three term Mayor and three term councillor, Earl Trapp.
It's a relatively minor municipal event - but the UDP leader came out encouragingly, so did all 5 elected PUP councillors.
Bernadette Fernandez, UDP Councillor - SI/SE
"The time has come for us to break barriers and unify for one common goal and that is to serve the people with respect and to the best of our abilities. The elections are over now and its time for us to begin to work for the people that have duly elected us to represent them."
Aaron Mai, PUP Councillor/topped polls
"We the 5 of the People's United Party decided to be here to show our solidarity and unity. It is imperative that we put aside every issue that we move forward to develop the beautiful twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. My conviction allows me to put aside the red and the blue and to see how I may be of service to my fellow community."
Earl Trapp, Returning Mayor
"The people have spoken through our democratic process and we must respect their decisions and put our political differences aside."
Darrell Bradley, Former Mayor
"You can represent and new way not only for your town, not only for Belize as a country, but for the world that we can show from this small community here that you are different. People elected a split council, there is a reason why the election is only one day because after the election there is no blue, there is no red. There are leaders and there is the people. A politician works to get votes, a politician works on popularity, a politician works to sow seeds of division, but a leader is a uniter."
Heady and heartwarming stuff- no doubt the subject of this conversation between the mayor and one of his PUP councillors, but the practical dimensions of governing a split council are not contained in the platitudes of a speech - it is in the practicalities and exigencies of daily governance - a fact not lost in the mayor.
Earl Trapp, Returning Mayor
"After speaking to some of the candidates they share the same sentiment, they want to work for this community and then after speaking to the area representatives for the 3 constituencies there in San Ignacio and Santa Elena they basically share the same sentiments. We will meet this week to discuss a way forward and see where or how we can get everything on one common ground and we cannot hide away from the fact that we have a municipal development plan. That's our bible. We have many projects in the pipeline and the projects in the pipeline and on the table are basically projects that they have been advocating for during their campaign, so I don't see big problems arising from this council."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"What would you do if they request an audit of your tenure as mayor?"
Earl Trapp, Returning Mayor
"Mr. Jules, that is not something strange. As a matter of fact from the day I assume office in 2015 from since that day we have been auditing this town council and I can tell you Bakertilly Hulse they are the ones that audited last year and they will be auditing this year again."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You feel you don't have anything to fear from that?"
Earl Trapp, Returning Mayor
"Of course not. There is nothing to hide."
And while Trapp may be the UDP's only hope in San Ignacio, he warns, don't get your hopes up:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"He has been a successful municipal candidate. He lost at a convention within the party and he was never exposed to the wider general elections and so I would believe that he an ideal candidate."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You could be the next man running in Cayo Central, who knows."
Earl Trapp, Returning Mayor
"I will tell you before answering that: I, this is my last run in politics. This is a lot of work, headache and stress."
