7 News Belize

Computing The Political Cost of Senate Hearings
posted (March 2, 2017)
And, while the Senate Hearings on Immigration continue, it means more opportunities for political hemorrhaging of the UDP - who, lest we forget - were elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2008.

But in 2017, the party is on the way to becoming as synonymous with corruption as its predecessor. That's dire news for the promising young politicians who are coming up in the party right now. They must also take the collateral damage of the immigration scandals, hoping that it doesn't injure them too badly.

One such politician is Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle. He's up for re-election next year in the Municipal Elections, which means the revelations come an inconvenient time. So, today, we asked him how he's handling it, in the context that he must go to the Belmopan voters and ask for their support in a few months.:

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Do you intend to offer yourself for next year's re-election?"

Khalid Belisle, Mayor - City of Belmopan
"Still debating that one right now Daniel, but I am leaning towards doing so. Coming into it, I think that was the great unknown, my predecessors both considerably older than myself and so I think there was a certain element 'well what will the young boy do.' I will tell you that in general everyday meetings with residents of Belmopan, they seem pleased with the job that our council has done so far. We are fortunate here in Belmopan to benefit from the works of our sister body RECONDEV, but we have done our fair share here at the city council in terms of development. A lot of it might not have been seen in central Belmopan, the more traffic areas, because we have slated these bond monies for central Belmopan in the most part. But we have done a lot of work in the periphery as the council, in terms of Panama Street, lots of parts in Salvapan, we touch some in Las Flores, some in Maya Mopan. So, we continue to work. The residents see it on a daily basis and we have just try to keep the interest of the city at heart in all our deliberations and for the most part, Belmopan seems please with the way things happen."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Now sir, you were elected under the UDP slate. You intend to offer yourself again under another UDP slate?"

Khalid Belisle, Mayor - City of Belmopan
"Yes, if my name is on the ballot next March, it will be under the United Democratic Party."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"At the current moment the UDP government is under pressure due to the immigration matter and a lot has been revealed. It shows scandals and corruption within the government administration. You as a young politician, does it affect you in trying to win the confidence of persons, let's say for example something like a business venture like this - the municipal bond, where your party is under for integrity and you have to distinguish yourself as a politician."

Khalid Belisle, Mayor - City of Belmopan
"I mean, I'll be frank with you Daniel, I am a proud member of the United Democratic Party. Have mistakes been made along the way? Certainly. By other members of the party? Certainly. I don't think anybody has ran from that - readily acknowledge that, but there is that little saying that all politics is local and I believe for the most part here in Belmopan in terms of our team and what we have done in terms of keeping in touch with people, in terms of trying to participate in community activities, in terms of trying to support those activities that the community puts together from time to time. We have done a fairly good there and so I don't want to say that we are insulated from the wider perception of what's been happening since the UDP assumed office as the national government, but here in Belmopan I think we have a very intelligent and fairly reason minded population who can be able to separate one from the other."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Has there ever been a point in which you felt embarrassed or you had issues identifying yourself with the UDP when certain things have been revealed?"

Khalid Belisle, Mayor - City of Belmopan
"In the abrogate, I could never say that I've been embarrassed. Have I wish that certain haven't transpired? Certainly. But like I said in the grander picture I have been very proud to associate myself with the leadership of the Rt. Dean Barrow since he assumed office as the Prime Minister of this country."

Later on in the news, we'll have more from Yesterday's Senate hearing.

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