One week ago, the PUP almost completely swept the municipal elections. But, the first hint of the blue tsunami that crashed in on November 11, 2020, and again on March third, 2021, came in 2018 - when the PUP pulled an unlikely upset and won the Belize City Council, unseating the UDP on its home turf in Belize City.
Three years later, they are the incumbents and the energy was different when they were sworn in today.
And this morning as each councillor stepped up to the podium at the Biltmore to raise their right hand, they did so knowing the hardships of municipal governance under COVID.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
"Even in the face of great adversity we remain confident and determine and relentless in our pursuit ofr success and we will continue to forge forward because you have place your trust and confidence in my administration and our stewardship of this great city. In a time when it seems there are some in our neighborhoods, in our communities and in this society who are constantly turning on each other I know that we will continue to turn to each other for strength, finding comfort in the fact that we have each other's back. I want to assure you that we can look forward to building our collaboration, improving our communication and ensuring that there is synergy between your municipal government and a PUP central government."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Last week Wednesday the people of Belize City and the rest of the country, they were very decisive. They came out and with a loud voice and said that they wanted to see Bernard Wagner and the ten councilor candidates of the People's United Party back to City Hall. We have to be grateful for the Belizean people for this, but in thanking them we must reaffirm our commitment to work hard every day to improve the lives of the people of Belize City. The 11 of you who were sworn in today you are here because of their efforts, it is as much their victory as it is your victory. Never forget that."
