When the PUP lost the Dangriga bye-election last week, PUP Leader Francis Fonseca became the first mass party leader in memory to lose three major elections in six months. And because of the successive losses, everyone knew something had to give - someone had to take a fall for the party's consistently poor turnout at the polls. And it seems National Campaign Manager Godfrey Smith is the man. The news broke just before 11:00 this morning and Smith told us via text message, quote: "party leader and I reached mutual agreement that I would no longer be campaign manager." He would not comment further than that. Though not completely unexpected, it's surprising because it is Fonseca who brought in Smith - as campaign manager in April of 2014. In fact, just last week - in his post defeat press conference, Fonseca endorsed Smith - even in the face of a third successive defeat.
Jules Vasquez
In the PUP, the national campaign manager is the one who "roosts" out funds but by multiple indications just girl talk on the ground, we understand that the national campaign manager has failed to do that. In any substantial ways certainly not in a ralphian proportions. Should the PUP re-examined the post of national campaign manager and should Mr. Smith remain as national campaign manager?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I think whenever we have elections we do a proper assessment of everything that took place. I am satisfied that the campaign manager tried. He worked hard to raise the funds that we did have and I think he believed in Mr. Sabal like we all did and did everything that he could through his office to try and make sure that we put the best foot forward in that election."
Jules Vasquez
"But he couldn't bring the Ashcroft money. That's why he's there sir."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"But Jules, he's not my campaign manager or the party's campaign manager to bring Ashcroft's money."
Indeed, Smith never brought in substantial campaign funds for the PUP - and that tied in directly to election losses. But, insiders tell us that failure had as much to do with Fonseca's limp leadership as it had to do with Smith. Still, we are told that Fonseca is the one who called on Smith to resign - just days after he had publicly endorsed him. But, counter intuitively, now that Smith has departed - Fonseca is left isolated - because he is the one who brought in Smith as one of his few allies. Now, three election losses later, the Smith appointment backfired and party leader Fonseca is left holding a heavy bag - and it's not money in there either!
Overall, the move has created a sense of anxiety in the PUP - where there is genuine worry about the vacuum of support surrounding the leadership. This should subside as the days pass, but there is no natural replacement for Smith - and none known to be waiting in the wings. That suggests that for at least the near term, the party will continue to remain cash strapped an unable to properly contest an election against the well oiled, well financed UDP.
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