7 News Belize

Wilfred Says Let The People Decide On Viva Vega
posted (September 7, 2017)
And while Whylie's position may seem suddenly precarious, another public figure who had seemed to be retiring is now back in the front and center. Embattled Orange Gaspar Vega told us yesterday that if he cannot find anyone else to beat the PUP - he will run again for the UDP in Orange Walk North. Now, in the standard doublespeak of politics, that translates to mean: Gaspar Vega will run again in Orange Walk North.

That's a lot of baggage for the UDP to carry into the future, and today we asked two of his colleagues who they felt about it - first to Wilfred Elrington:...

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I think people are free to decide what they want to do and it all depends on their constituents whether the constituents are supportive of them."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But for the good of the party, is it good for the UDP that Mr. Vega offers himself as a candidate again?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"That is a question that his constituents will have to determine."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But at some point the party leadership just as it did with Ms. Moya, just as it did with the former Marcel Cardona from Orange Walk East. At some point the party says we have to cut our losses."

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"When the party does that, we know clearly that this is not going to happen, that you're not going to run."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is the party going to do that?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"That is not my position. It's not a matter that I have spent time on, but the democratic process is to be allowed to have its way and ultimately all politics is local, so that it will depend on the people in Orange Walk as to whether or not they think it is prudent for them to elect the Hon. Gaspar Vega and I think it will be presumptuous for people like me who don't live in Orange Walk to interfere in that kind of thing or to express a view."

Reporter
"But do you support it sir?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"If I support his aspiration to want to run? I can't disagree with that. He is free to do that. He is a Belizean and is entitle to offer himself for office."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But he is inked with a very tainted brush, Mr. Vega is seen as a symbol of malfeasants. Let us be kind. In public office that is not a brush you want to be painted with, I imagine?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"Actually Jules, I think that is a brush that most people who held that position are tainted with. Most people who have held the position of minister of natural resources. You say it not me."

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize