And, switching to politics now, the road to the 2027 Belize City Municipal election might not be a smooth one for the PUP. Tension heightened over the past 24 hours after reports surfaced that party higher-ups are suggesting Eluide Miller withdraw his mayoral candidacy and defer to Allan Pollard's seniority.
This has sparked mixed reactions online among voters and party supporters who believe the two must go to contention. Jaleeza Robert has more:
It is framed as one of the most closely watched political contest for an election off year: Allan Pollard Jr and Eluide Miller both want to be the PUP's Mayoral candidate.
But yesterday evening reports stated emerging saying that higher up's in the party - as high up as the party leadership - were urging Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller to withdraw from the race.
It was framed as a matter of seniority and the fact that when Pollard wanted to challenge Bernard Wagner for the mayoral candidacy in 2024 they told him to wait his turn. He expressed his frustration at the time:
Allan Pollard - Mayoral Aspirant
"You know I've been asking that question every day of my life you know every, every day especially after those tragic events, I can't seem to figure it out. I've been trained by this party, I've sat in so many work shops so many history classes and what we are, what we supposed to represent, and who we represent, and I think I embody that. So I can't see now after doing all those things still not checking the boxes to me is something that I question everyday"
And is that the message that is now being given to Eluide Miller? That he shoudl wait his turn? This would clear the way for Allan Pollard Jr. to be endorsed as the party's mayoral candidate in the next municipal elections. But on the day Pollard Jr. applied, he said that he was ready for a convention and "every young person should contest":
Allan Pollard Jr. - Mayoral Aspirant
"if Miller wants to contest, then he should contest. Every young person should contest. Not only Miller, any young person who wants to run, any older person who wants to run, it's a democratic party. I think it's respect between everybody. And at the end of the day, we just have to put you in the work and make sure you bring out your delegates and make sure they come out and support you, that's all."
Reporter
"Are you upset they're not endorsing you?"
Allan Pollard Jr. - Mayoral Aspirant
"No, no, I never expect an endorsement. Everything I have done since I entered this party in 2018, I had to work for, and I plan to continue working for that. So I don't need an endorsement. We are working."
But a convention can be a taxing political venture - costly both in finance and party unity. Miller reportedly has the support of formidable constituencies behind him. Meanwhile, Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde reportedly supports Pollard who is his godson, whereas Miller is his niece's husband.
Today, councillors who support Miller made posts calling for a convention. Kaya Cattouse said via Facebook "because the numbers are not lining up the same way, there are now attempts to force an outcome" - suggesting that higher up's were trying to make an uncontested path for Pollard, because a contest might be his undoing.
Reports say Miller will resist the urging of party elders and still plans to go to convention.
We reached out to both Pollard Jr and Miller earlier this morning and Pollard Jr responded saying "I'm clueless as to what conversations are happening among the higher ups. I wouldn't be in any position to clarify or confirm." and as for Miller, he has still not responded.
