Tomorrow, we'll continue our campaign trail coverage with the candidates from the Albert Division. As a preview of that story – where we talked to both
candidates – we asked them about voter fatigue or cynicism about pre-election promises. Here's what they said:
Daniel Ortiz
"How do you convince the voters to trust that you will come in and help them when; I'm sure it was here before and it is now here while you are here
many years. Some would say you another politician coming in giving me promises but no results."
Tracy Taegar-Panton - UDP Candidate, Albert
"Like I say Daniel, I have a long relationship in this division. I have worked in this division long before politics, long before Mark Espat through my
community outreach programmes, through my church or through the Red Cross, through many of the organisation I've been involved with. I have certainly
have a long track record in tourism and a lot of these people I have advocated for."
Daniel Ortiz
"This effect of poverty; isn't that an indicator that they have somewhat been neglected by those been elected to represent them?"
Tracy Taegar-Panton - UDP Candidate, Albert
"I think that question is really best answered by the voters in the division if they felt neglected by their representation. I think on November 5th we
will have a clear indication of how the people feel about the UDP government and certainly how they feel about me as their next representative."
Paul Thompson - PUP Candidate, Albert
"The south side of Belize has 7 big ministers of government. There is the minister of sports, there is the minister of education, there is the minister
of housing. There is the foreign affairs minister, the minister of gangs and then there is the prime minister but the south side of Belize is the side
of the country that is in the worst condition. The poverty level is so high and these guys are representing these people. So the paradox is there, huge
irony."
Daniel Ortiz
"Since you are such a well-established part of the Albert division being campaign manager for Mr. Mark Espat. Some would say you've been here and now
you've come around trying to get their support but while you were here, some of the same problems, some of the same poverty issues still exists and
some of their needs haven't been address even when you came asking for their support for someone else."
Paul Thompson - PUP Candidate, Albert
"Well things have definitely deteriorated, I agree with you fully. It's been 2 terms now that the UDP administration that they have been in power. And
so that's 10 years almost, that's a long time, it's almost a generation and so things have fallen a part."
Daniel Ortiz
"Are you concerned that they would turn that same issue against you? Take it out on you because you've been here before asking for their support?"
Paul Thompson - PUP Candidate, Albert
"I've not heard that on the trail any at all. They are welcoming me at the moment."
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