Will he or won't he? That's the question it seems we're always asking when it comes to the mercurial Mayor Darrell Bradley and his ever changing interest in the post of mayor. In 2014, he put the UDP through fits with his constant flip-flopping on whether he would or wouldn't run again. But for the 2017 run-up to the 2018 election, he's done no such thing: today, Bradley made it clear, he's out, he's walking away from City Hall after the next election and he wants Dion Leslie to replace him. Here's how the mayor put it when he met with the press today:...
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So you will not offer yourself as mayor again?"
Darrell Bradley, Won't run - Endorses Dion Leslie
"That is correct. I want to make it very clear that I am an ardent and I continue to ardent supporter of the United Democratic Party. I think that the United Democratic Party has done well by the people of Belize City and the people of the country of Belize. This is not to discount the fact that over the last many years we've had challenges as a party and as a government. But I think that on a whole the party has done well and I am very proud and pleased to continue to support that party."
"I am also very excited, I've had several conversations with Councillor Dion Leslie and it is my full faith and hope that he will be the type of mayor that will continue many of the good initiatives and I have no hesitation in saying that I endorse him one hundred percent. I will be campaigning for him on the streets. I will be supporting him and supporting the United Democratic Party. It would be my great honor to be standing next to Dion Leslie as the takes oath of office for mayor of Belize City. Whatever support guidance, whatever thing that he needs from me I will of course provide that."
"When I look at the city that I would want my son to live in I am quite confident that Dion Leslie can build that city. He can build the partnerships and the relationships so that I do these things deliberately because I look to the future and I look to the kind of leaders who can bring about that future that we all ascribe to live in."
Reporter
"So you don't believe Willoughby has the stuff that mayors are made of?"
Darrell Bradley, Won't run - Endorses Dion Leslie
"No. Let me not say that at all. Phillip Willoughby is a colleague of mine, he is a friend of mine, but in politics, it's about choices and when I asses the kind of achievements that we have made over the last 5 years, notwithstanding the fact that I conceded we made significant challenges, I will have to make a decision like every single voter. It's not that I have anything against Councillor Willoughby. It is not that I view him with any disdain or anything, but I have work with both of them."
Dion Leslie, UDP Mayoral Aspirant
"I've done my work and yes I have gotten support and I am very grateful for it, but with that said I am not taking anything for granted. That doesn't mean I stop working. That does not mean I sit back and say oh this is won now. I still hit the ground every day campaigning from minimum of 3 hours. I still do the work, I still go visit people, I still listen to the needs of the various residents."
Reporter
"Will you try to work out some agreement with Councillor Willoughby so that there is no need for a convention?"
Dion Leslie, UDP Mayoral Aspirant
"I haven't spoken to Councillor Willoughby as yet. The last time we saw each other was at a funeral. It wasn't the best time or location to have this discussion, but I have to say and the mayor repeated it that Phillip is an outstanding worker, he is a hard worker. There is no doubt about that. There is no second guessing it and any team would be lucky to have Phillip on their side. So even though he is my opponent right now in this race, in the end if he would want to come onboard with the entire team all incumbent councillors who are behind me, we would openly welcome Phillip. He is still our brother, he is still our colleague. We know his work ethic and his work ethic is something that Belize City would need, because it's a lot of work to be done."
Email
Print