At Friday's house meeting, Julius Espat, who is the PUP's Rep for Cayo South stormed out of the House meeting in a fit of rage. It's a familiar sight for the mercurial Mr. Espat who is known for bouts of anger. But what was unfamiliar was the fact that he walked out alone; his party didn't join him. As Jules Vasquez reports, that's most unusual:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
The first rule of walkout is - everybody walks out. The PUP did it in the 90's.
The UDP did it in the aughts - when it was somehow much easier to slide out of those benches.
And they walked out together and maybe even threw a tantrum outside and ended up with bloody nose.
And the PUP proved the same two years ago even when it was a senator getting thrown out of the gallery.
The members walked out together.
And last year when Julius Espat lost his temper inside.
Hon. Julius Espat
"It is ridiculous that a member of the house cannot speak about good governance in this country."
Hon. Mike Peyrefitte, Speaker of the House
"Can I get a minister of government to name this person?"
Hon. Julius Espat
"Da thieves unu gat ova deh, thieves."
Even when police gathered, his members sat in solidarity. And when the paramilitary gathered, they still sit in solidarity - except they pull out their cell phone camera and start to capture.
And even when a member is hauled out like a callow animal, they went out and fought for him and stood by him as he emerge in tears and tatters.
But not on Friday when Espat headed out to the exit - and he called his leader and seems to ask what was the move - what will they do, Briceno gave him a pat on the arm and sent him on his way, almost to say, we'll see you later. What a difference a year makes.
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Why when you walked out your party didn't follow you?"
Hon. Julius Espat
"I'm not the leader of the party."
Jules Vasquez
"But sir, it's an old tradition in parliament, you touch one you touch all."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I don't follow the old traditions. I believe that we have to make drastic changes and I stand for what I believe in."
Hipolito Novelo- Reporter
"You signaled them to follow you."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I asked the party leader what will happen next, I didn't signal him. I can't signal him."
Hipolito Novelo
"But you expected them to follow you?"
Hon. Julius Espat
"They didn't follow me the last time, so, no. I don't expect anything from anybody."
Espat has been sharp and critical of his party in the past, recently telling PLUS TV, quote, "The PUP are using bench players right now to make the decision for the party." we are told that after Friday's walkout he stayed around to meet with party leader John Briceno.
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