Pollard Faces Tight Race to Secure P.U.P. Support
The clock is ticking for candidates hoping to lead the P.U.P.’s Belize City municipal slate. Reports are that the party’s municipal convention has been set for late August, with an official announcement expected later this week. That gives mayoral aspirants only a short window to organize, reach delegates and build momentum. Today, we asked Allan Pollard Jr. whether an August convention leaves enough time to properly campaign, whether he expects access to the all-important delegate list, and what kind of financial backing he must take his campaign across the finish line.
Allan Pollard Jr.
Allan Pollard Jr., Mayoral Aspirant, Belize City
“I don’t see it as a mad scramble. I think these people are people who have been engaged with the party for quite some time. I think being a delegate for a constituency is a privilege that is afforded to life-long party supporters and area rep supporters. So they are not new. These are people who have been around. They have been engaged and they have been supporting us for years. So, it is just touching back with them, giving them a greeting and relaying that plan to them. I don’t think it is a thing where these are new people and I have to reintroduce myself to them. For that reason, I don’t consider it a made scramble.”
Reporter
Do you think you have enough time and financial resources?
Allan Pollard Jr.
“I do think I have enough time. For the financial resources, I do want to say I don’t know where you get that figure from, the two hundred per delegate. I personally don’t pay for delegates. But, the support that I have been afforded overtime, I think I am one of the lucky ones where it is not as expensive for me, because I put in the time, the work, and the relationship I have with the delegates is something that money can’t buy.”
Pollard says all potential PUP candidates for Belize City met on Monday to go over the convention process.
Is Evan Thompson Being Sidelined by the P.U.P.?
Is Belize City Councilor Evan Thompson being pushed to the sidelines by his own party? News Five has confirmed that the People’s United Party is now discussing whether Thompson should be barred from running in the upcoming municipal election. The reason behind those discussions has not yet been made public, but the party is expected to release both its explanation and its final decision later this week. Today, we asked mayoral aspirant Allan Pollard Jr. what he makes of the situation facing his fellow councilor.
Allan Pollard Jr.
Allan Pollard Jr., Mayoral Aspirant, Belize City
“I saw it on the news. I think one of the pages put it out. And, I am not involved in those high-level meetings, unfortunately. I saw it, but I don’t know what the basis was. That will probably be unveiled in the coming days. Once I get that information I can tell you.”
Reporter
“Would you have wanted him to run again? You supported him a lot in the previous election.”
Allan Pollard Jr.
“Of course, I am all for younger candidates running and I always think that democracy should be showcased at the polls. But of course, the party has its arms, and they have their reasons and I have to understand that and be mindful of that. So whatever decision they make is because it is in the best interest of the party.”
We reached out to Thompson who said that he was unable to provide any comment or clarity at this time.
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