The PUP Slate for the Belize City Council - for months we've been pressing Opposition Leader John Briceno to come up with the names. And finally, the slate was launched on Saturday. That's more than two months after the UDP held its municipal convention, but it's more or less in line with the timeframe for when the PUP launched its last Belize City slate, which was in November of 2014. The only problem is that slate - led by Yolanda Shakron - lost by a wide margin.
So what will be the fate for the new PUP team led by political newcomer Bernard Wagner? Today we spoke to the businessman and former banker at his micro-credit office in Belize City. He told us he had to step out of his comfort zone to jump into politics:..
Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayoral Hopeful
"Coming out of your comfort zone is always a huge decision and anyone who comes out of that comfort zone always feel a little bit pressure. You have to go through a stage where you are mulling over it, thinking about it, is this the right decision - but at the end of the day Jules, the one factor that was over the entire process was the fact that I would be serving my community."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How was the experience on Saturday night, facing that crowd, having to give a speech on rostrum? I know that is not you, Bernard."
Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayoral Hopeful
"You're so right. First time on the stage trying to speak to not only the base of the party, but to new people who are looking for hope and I clearly outlined that Saturday that my brand of politics would be one that takes the high road and ones that offer solution to some of the challenges that the city residents are facing."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Your slate, you team, what sort of energy experience you get from them?"
Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayoral Hopeful
"Jules, we have a very dynamic team. A wide verse of professionals, first time candidates."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"The conventional wisdom is that UDP has spent so many tens of millions, hundreds of millions quite possibly over the years between the east and west of the country - from San Pedro right up to Benque Viejo, infrastructure programs - all these sorts of things - that is the UDPs access of control from Benque, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Belize City, San Pedro and that the PUP, if it has hopes, has to have it in the north and perhaps in the south. So fortune does not favor your slate. How do you respond to that?"
Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayoral Hopeful
"Jules, I like story of a David and Goliath. That's one of my favorite stories and I believe in the people of Belize City and the people of Belize City really wants change. We will never be able to match the financial purse of the UDP, but what we do have are people who are willing to put in the work and put in the hard work, hit the pavements, meet the people on the streets. The feedback we have been getting has been tremendous."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Are you concern of being about being placed in a box that 'you are Bernard from Southside.' I'm saying that I heard the leader say it and I know that it's often being said in the pitch made about you that you have very strong based in the Southside, because of your community work, but the city is 2 sides."
Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayoral Hopeful
"Yeah, I was born and bred on Pen Road, Raccoon Street, Queen's Square. I've been in those 3 divisions. Over the years I've been able to build valuable relationships within those 3 areas. At the same time as a professional I've been able to build relationships with the middle income earner of this society - with the top echelon corporate people. So, I've been able to speak to the grassroots, speak to the middle income earners and speak to the corporations and that in itself I feel give me tremendous leverage going into this election."
Notably, Wagner was going to be a part of the UDP municipal slate in 2006, but his employer at the time didn't permit him to run. He says that since that time he has become disillusioned with the UDP.
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