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Jones comes in after a 7-month interval where the PUP had no candidate in the area. But, all the key members of Saldivar's committee have thrown their support behind him. So, the PUP introduced him today as a marquee name with solid public credentials. His colleague from Lake Independence Cordel Hyde said the acquisition of this talent is a signal to the electorate that their March fourth message was received:..

Cordel Hyde, PUP Lake I Std. Bearer
"On March 4th, the people across the length and breadth of this beautiful country sent us a very clear and stern message. They say we weren't moving right. They said they weren't convinced. They said we needed to go back to the drawing board and so we have. The candidacy of Major Lloyd Jones is about getting it right. It's about responding to the directives from the people. It's the kind of candidate we in the PUP need and one we desire and welcome. I read somewhere that the hope of a people is very fragile and must be handle with care like a basket of eggs and also read that when that hope is lost, it takes a long time to recover. We messed up that hope way back when, but we are working very hard to renew what we had with our people."

Maj. Lloyd Jones (Ret'd), PUP Designate - BRN
"So why the PUP and some may say why not the UDP. Well, if you read article 5 and article 6 of the constitution of the People's United Party, it becomes abundantly clear that the philosophy of the PUP is what Belize needs in order to develop and advance. Now, we have to be honest. The PUPs challenge has been adhering to the ideals of that philosophy. We intend to change that. During my discussions with the Honorable Francis Fonseca, he made it clear to me that he is committed to returning the People's United Party to those ideals."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
"And I think what has inspired me the most about his candidacy and what has excited me the most about his candidacy is his strong independent spirit and his passionate love of country."

Maj. Lloyd Jones (Ret'd), PUP Designate - BRN
"My discussion with the Honorable Francis Fonseca was extremely frank. He understands my position. He understand how independent thinking I am. He understands that I do not intend to tow the party-line is that means going against the Belizean people and he is prepared to have me in the fold. So that tell me that he is serious about change. If you get there and you find that they want to take you to the left when you know righteousness is on the right, then you walk out. It's a simple as that. I have no intention of compromising myself for politics. In as much as I want to win, I do not intend to win by any means necessary. It is that kind of attitude that have our politics the way it is. Where people enter politics and they do anything and everything to win and then you end up with the kind of government that you have now. I am not at all intimidated by the Honorable Minister. I think his record speaks for itself. He has done basically nothing in the division. Let me just say to the people of Belize Rural North, keep calm, the Major has reported for duty. Thank you."

And one thing this retired major is best known for is his hawkish position on Guatemala. He has criticized the current foreign minister for appeasing the Guatemalans, and has taken a hardline against the ICJ. But, really, the entire confidence building initiative was born during the last PUP administration when Assad Shoman was foreign minister - and it was his proudest accomplishment. We asked Jones how he can take a position against one of the pillars of the PUP:..

Maj. Lloyd Jones (Ret'd), PUP Designate - BRN
"Assad is in the past. Assad Shoman is not a mover and shaker within the People's United Party. I can tell you what my position is as a citizen of this country and that position trumps any political position."

Jules Vasquez
"There may be those within your party, senior people. Mr. Musa comes to mind...."

Maj. Lloyd Jones (Ret'd), PUP Designate - BRN
"I understand that fully Jules, but it is my view that the majority of the Belizean people reject Guatemala's unfounded claim. They reject the ICJ and if the party knows best, they will listen to the Belizean people. Plain and simple."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
"He has been a very outspoken advocate for Belize's territorial integrity and I have had long discussions with him about that issue and about national security. An area in which he has a lot of expertise."

And while - as he put it - "Assad is in the past" - Arthur Saldivar is very much in the present. The former candidate did not attend today's event - but we did see key members of his committee who have embraced Jones. Still, as the successor to Max Samuels, who is the PUP's most successful candidate ever in the area, Saldivar has his cadre of loyalists. So will the party reach out to him? That's what we asked:..

Maj. Lloyd Jones (Ret'd), PUP Designate - BRN
"I think that every PUP in that division is important and clearly Arthur Saldivar is a PUP, he has done great work in the division, narrowing that gap. I think it would be foolish of me not to extend a hand and ask him to come and assist and I intend to do that, because at the end of the day this is really not about Major Jones, this is about delivering Rural North for the People's United Party."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader "Yes, you want everyone on board. So, yes we will make every effort and I as the leader will make every effort and continue to make every effort to get, to seek Mr. Saldivar's support for Major Jones in Belize Rural North. As Major Jones said, this is about work. Working hard each and every day from now up until election is called. So, he will do it with or without Mr. Saldivar's support."