Municipal Elections are just a few weeks away - and the UDP’s Belize City slate stepped its campaign into high gear today with the launch of its manifesto.
For a party asking voters to give it a fifth term in the city - they tried to keep it fresh - but not to lose sight of what they feel are benchmark accomplishments. Jules Vasquez was there:…
Dion Leslie - UDP Mayoral Candidate
"We are honoured to present this manifesto today. It is a true representation of the vision of our residence. This is your manifesto, this is your vision and it is our job to make sure we fulfill what you have requested."
Called “Improving Lives”, the UDP’s Belize City Council Manifesto is a study in cautious optimism - and lots of references to past successes.
It’s the rare political grouping that’s running on its record:
Dion Leslie
"Our next UDP council pledges to build on this success and we pledge the same level of transparency, dedication and enthusiasm that has been the hallmark of our previous terms. Our manifesto features a number if projects that will continue to improve the physical infrastructure of Belize City."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you facing a situation where inevitably you run into voter fatigue? People are just tired of voting for the UDP."
Dion Leslie
"I don't agree with you on that Jules but I will say this we would have been worried if we did not deliver, if we did not perform."
What they believe is the strength of that record elicited a confession from the PM:
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"Of course in this business we’re in we sometimes have to do things as a matter of obligation and we sometimes have to say things also as a matter of obligation and things that are not all together accurate. Ladies and gentlemen without a doubt this United Democratic Party Belize City Council has performed at a level that has been unprecedented in the entire history of municipal politics in this city. Completely convinced, completely confident that this United Democratic Party team will be elected in the case of many of them will be re-elected so that for the next period it is the United Democratic Party that will continue to govern Belize City."
And that’s the question - whether voters will buy into a slate not led by Darrell Bradley whose headstrong vision created the record they are running on:
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City
"And I always believe that for growth to happen you always need change. You need individuals who can be there for the right time and I believe that this is Dion's time. There is a reason why people receive these candidates because they see in them performance. They see in them good government, they see in them the ability to continue the transformation of Belize City and I know that transformation will continue under the leadership of Mayor Dion Leslie and these councilors here."
While the voters will decide that, they were given a not so subtle hint by the Deputy Party Leader:
Hon. Patrick Faber - UDP Deputy Leader
"No other team that is going to be on the ballot on March 7th can boast what they just boasted. All about the relationship, if you don't have a relationship amongst yourselves, if you don't have a relationship with the people, if you don't have a relationship with your party, if you don't have a relationship with the government, you're wasting your time, so others should lock up shop and go home."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this an indication that were a PUP council to be elected, the government would not foster harmonious relation with them?"
Hon. Patrick Faber
"Its best they stick with what they know, its best they put municipal bodies in that are inline with the central party and this time especially."
Like all manifesto launches - it was a day of hype and good old fashioned political hyperbole:
Darrell Bradley
"March 7th, I will be there, my wife will be there, my mother will be there, my brothers and sisters will be there. If my son could vote he mi wa be there too. I encourage all of you bring your dog, bring your cat, bring whoever you want but let us come out as a mass political party to really champion the continuing of the great work of this United Democratic Party.”
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