And also from last week, former UDP Stann Creek West candidate Melvin Hulse made headlines for the secret recording where he was heard boldly criticizing his party leader and accusing him of dubious dealings. Hulse has since retracted his comments and resigned - but the afterlife of that recording will surely be longer than the one week news buzz. We can expect to hear it in political ads for months. And already it has become a chorus for the PUP:
Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition
"And of course we all know about the Melvin Hulse tape. The Melvin Hulse tape which exposed the arrogance of Dean Barrow. The arrogance and corruption in their government and making it absolutely clear that what Dean Barrow and this government is all about is about staying in power, not caring about anybody. No loyalty to anybody, no loyalty to any country. It is all about himself, his ego, regardless of what happens to the country. He doesn't care. It's all about politics and winning elections. That is it - third term. That is his history. That is what he wants, to go down in history books, coming from his own standard bearer - coming from river bottom."
Jules Vasquez
"His words have become an article of faith for the PUP that you are monomaniacal obsessed with a third term and only a third term will do, because you are perhaps megalomaniac-ally interested in your legacy as the only person to get three terms. How do you respond to that?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well I think those who know me, will know that legacy is least of it with me. But I'm saying that that would have been fine. Melvin is entitled to make that kind of a statement when he is upset and that would have caused me no discomfort at all. In other words, there could have been no question I think of Melvin resigning as standard bearer for having said that. So let us be very clear about that."
"Second thing; I don't know what they say I am obsessed with a third term for me. I am absolutely on a third term for the United Democratic Party. When did that became an offence? Isn't that what parties and politicians are supposed to do? Make absolutely sure that if they serve the people well and if they'd been successful in delivering the goods and services and if the people feel that they deserve a third term - that they make that a reality and do everything in terms of the underground work and the organization of the party and the choosing of good candidates to produce that result. That is what it is about. How on earth did winning an election become a bad word?"
And while the Prime Minister makes no apology for his political ambition, the Hulse recording suggests that beneath the UDP's calm organizations exterior there resides some deep resentment for its maximum leader Dean Barrow. Now, it may not be widespread - or, maybe, it dares not be - but it is there and the Prime Minister said that's part of the UDP family's tough love:..
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Because I am sure there are any number of persons in the UDP who might say all sorts of bad things about me. I am sure I have said bad things about people in the UDP. That is how we are when we are talking privately and there are particular issues that might be agitating us. So, it really is a pity and as I said except for the connection that was made with the Mahmud and Ramos resignations all would have been well. And even with that, I thought perhaps we could have sum it, but Melvin obviously did think so and so he has gone voluntarily."
Jules Vasquez
"Since you know where, do you know who?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No I don't. He himself from what he tell me on the phone, doesn't know. It was a group clearly, so he know who it must be - one of that group. But he is not even telling me the names of the group. So, I am no farther along that knowing that it happened at this deli or some place and I am sure that's a nice little bit of feature that helps to add sauce to the stew, in terms of the human dimension of the story. Some cafe or restaurant that I don't know if it's in the Lands Department compound or by the Lands Department and you know Melvin, he breezes in and 'hey guys' and the Melvin, he is quite a character."
"Whoever did it obviously he thought was a UDP or somebody t whom he could speak and that person taped him and obviously sold him and so, If I knew who what person was, he could not any longer ne a UDP. That what he did is far worse than anything that Melvin said."
The Prime Minister says that the party will find a place for Hulse in the constituency.
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