All this week we are showing you some of our favourite stories from
2008. Last night we came again with Jacqueline Godwin’s successful three
month battle of the bulge series. Tonight we will show you the year’s
favourite story from Keith Swift. But it is not really his favourite –
it is your favourite. We asked you to vote in an online poll for your favourite
story and viewers overwhelmingly chose the review of election night in the city.
So, tonight we’ll go back into our archives to February 8th –the
day after the elections – where we recapped the United Democratic Party
celebrating its victory.
An official victory rally for the United Democratic Party is scheduled
for this evening but the celebration began last night on the streets of Belize
City. Before the polls even closed at 6:00 cars were streaming through the city
with horns honking and flags waving, declaring victory for the UDP. By nine
pm when early results showed a massive swing, UDP supporters flooded the city's
streets and converged at the foot of the Bel-China Bridge for a massive street
party which went on for hours. You saw most of it right here on Channel 7 –
as part of our '08 NOW' coverage and Keith Swift has a
recap.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We are at the Anglican Cathedral College which is the counting station for the
Albert Division. As you can see the battle lines are clearly drawn and even
though the counting is yet to begin – victory has already been declared.
PUP Supporter: We done win. Morrison can't beat
we, no matter what. Mark is for Albert.
UDP Supporter: UDP all the way.
Tough talk and Assistant Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries later pulled
up and pushed out the crowd. And while Jeffries intervened on Albert Street
West – it was Michael Finnegan in control on Amara Avenue - as he declared
victory in the Mesopotamia division.
Michael Finnegan, Re-elected
"The three boxes for Grace Primary School have been counted and we
are leading in three boxes by 459 votes. Those have been completed. They are
doing the first box for the Salvation Army polling station and in the first
box it would appear that we will win that first box around one sixty something
or so."
Keith Swift,
So you got it?
Michael Finnegan,
"Yeah we win."
And while Finnegan celebrated with his 
supporters on Amara Avenue – on
Faber's Road Boots Martinez's supporters didn't wait for their
candidate to declare a victory. They did.
UDP Supporter #2,
"We feel happy boss, it is like Christmas come back for us."
UDP Supporter #3,
"I have six children. I can't go and live in any laptop."
[Supporters performing skit on the street]
There was an even bigger crowd on the north side as newly elected Pickstock
area representative - the UDP's Sedi Elrington walked down from his law 
office and onto North Front Street – which lead to this:
[Supporters Rushing to Sedi Elrington]
Jacqueline Godwin,
Mr. Elrington congratulations. You know what they say, if you don't succeed
at first you try and try again.
Wilfred Elrington, Elected
"And succeed. Thank you very very much. We tried until we succeeded."
Jacqueline Godwin,
How do you feel?
Wilfred Elrington,
"Elated."
Patrick Faber was also victorious in Collet – he actually made history
but his celebration was subdued.
Patrick Faber, Re-elected
"It feels great. It is a wonderful feeling Keith. I can't begin
to express how happy I am. People say that I look tired. I am tired –
it has been a rough month campaigning out here in the Collet constituency but
all worth it to change the government and of course to bring development."
Keith Swift,
So you're ready to be Minister Patrick Faber?
Patrick Faber,
"Of course its something I've always dreamed of. Its something
I've waited a long time for."
And while he will be Minister Patrick Faber – it will be Prime Minister
Dean Barrow. The Prime Minister designate's first interview was to Jules
Vasquez.
Jules Vasquez,
Sir at this point one has to ask how does it feel?
Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"It feels very good of course, very very good. I am extremely grateful
to all sorts of Belize – to voters in the Queen's Square street
constituency – to my campaign manager, my sister and to my family to my
law partner and of course to the entire country of Belize. This really is a
people's victory. It's the sort of thing where one is extremely 
humbled because one is so conscious that the part that's played, certainly
by me, and the UDP is just one part in a chorus of o many very voices. Making
a long story short – it's a great feeling, I am extremely grateful,
and I am extremely humbled by what has happened."
And from our studio – Dean Barrow headed over to the UDP's headquarters
near Bel-China Bridge where supporters converged where there was celebration
on the street – in a spontaneous victory celebration.
Dean Barrow – Speech at Bel-China Bridge
"Oh what a glorious day. Ladies and gentlemen it is a tremendous feeling. It is an overpowering feeling, it is a humbling feeling. I want you to know
that I know that above all this victory teaches that all power comes from the
people. When deh one were making off with all the money, make off with all the
land, make off with all the resources even in the last few days they didn't
know that the judgement of the people would be upon.
I am humbled by this great victory that you have given us and I am grateful
for this great victory that you have given us. I am overjoyed that you have
placed your trust in us and I swear before Almighty God that I will never violate
or betray that trust. Ladies and gentlemen I love you, God bless you; God bless
Belize."
It was victory celebration and though Thom Morrison didn't win
in Albert – he says there was still reason to celebrate.
That story was originally aired on February 8th, 2008.
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