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Lord Ashcroft: “Would be very surprised” at Campaign Financing
posted (February 27, 2015)
And while he had no opinion on marijuana, what we wanted to hear was his view on the upcoming municipal election. Dating back to the 90's, Ashcroft has been perhaps the most influential campaign financer in Belize's history. The billionaire has pumped millions into both the PUP and UDP. But now his fight is with the Barrow Administration, and so, we wondered - with just days to go before the election - is he here to weigh in decisively for the PUP - which is starved for campaign cash? He told me, that's not what this trip is about:..

Courtney Weatherburne
"In terms of political funds, or funding for campaigning for either party, would you care to comment on that?"

Lord Michael Ashcroft
(Laughs)

"Well over the years and in many countries including the United Kingdom, I've made political contributions and it's fairly well known in Belize that over the years I have helped both parties. Uhm, I don't believe that one party should be dominant in a small country, because when party is dominant, it can lead to excesses in many areas. And I believe there has to be a thriving opposition. So, in cases where perhaps a government has twenty something seats and an opposition has a handful, then I think oppositions at least need something to put their case, ah, to the public."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Ok, great, and there's no point I should say expectation from either party in terms of for you bringing in or coming in at the last minute to give funds?

Lord Michael Ashcroft
(chuckles)

"Ha, no, I would be very surprised."

Courtney Weatherburne
"If they would actually be that way..."

Lord Michael Ashcroft
"I would be very, I would be very surprised."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Anything else you'd like to add in terms of your position, any outcome, or preferred outcome in terms of the election, or any vested interest you have in terms of the outcome of the elections?"

Lord Michael Ashcroft
"No, I would just like to see…Belize has everything going for it and what Belize needs is strong and honest leadership that can really pull this country forward. And I just hope that eventually when there is a general election, that the electorate make up their mind as to who is best for the country."

Ashcroft is Belizean citizen - who, after mostly staying away for some time after the UDP won in 2008 - has indicated that he will be a more regular presence in Belize in 2015. Ashcroft spent some of his childhood years in Belize while his father was a colonial civil servant.

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