Bradley Denies Leading Third-Party Movement, but Doesn’t Rule One Out
A social media post by a fake news Facebook page recently circulated named Attorney Darrell Bradley as the head of a new political movement, alongside other notable individuals.
According to Bradley, he has not seen this post circulating. He also expressed doubts that a third party could succeed right now.
In an exclusive interview with News 5, Bradley said, “It’s not something that I’ve ever thought about in any serious way. I’ve not seen the post. And I would say that that is not something that I would see as really viable for the simple reason, and I may be wrong, I’m admitting that I may be wrong, for the simple reason that I think that people have a hesitancy for change, and we have been grown and weaned on this two-party system.”
He said he speaks often with Barrow and holds him in high regard, but the two have never discussed forming a party. “I have tremendous respect for him. We have never thought about that,” Bradley said.
At the same time, Bradley said public frustration is building against both major parties. “People are fed up with what’s going on in the country, both in PUP and UDP,” he said.
He pointed to Mexico, where a new political movement grew into a dominant force, and said something similar could happen in Belize. He also called for social partners to have a bigger role in government and praised the introduction of social partner senators.
Bradley said he would prefer the UDP to lead a reform agenda, but he would not be the one to challenge its leadership.
“If you do not rise up and take the moment when you’re supposed to take the moment, other people will overrun you,” he said. “And if the change leads that direction to a third party, then that’s where it’s going to be.”
Bradley says he has never seriously considered leading a third party. Meanwhile, Martinez and Longford have since distanced themselves from the post.
“Like any Belizean, we want to see change. And to the extent that I can be a part of the change, I’m prepared to do that. And to the extent that UDP wants to lead the change, I’m prepared to do that too,” Bradley stated, while at the same time ruling out a bid for the United Democratic Party (UDP) leadership.