Landslide! – Support for Mark Espat as next PUP Leader is overwhelming

Friday, October 14, 2011, 14:47

This news item was posted in Headline category and has 12 Comments so far.

3 term PUP Albert Area Rep. Mark Espat has majority support to become next PUP leader

Belize City, October 12, 2011

If an election for Party Leader were to be held today or tomorrow, PUP Albert representative Hon. Mark Espat would win by a landslide. That is the indication given by official information from officials at the People’s United Party headquarters.

On Wednesday evening, the PUP’s Eastern Caucus, which includes twelve constituencies in the Belize District, gave its overwhelming support to the three-term Albert Area Representative as the next leader of the PUP.

This comes after endorsements from the Southern, Western and Northern Caucuses which have been recorded by the Party Secretariat. Together, they represent the 31 constituencies throughout the country.

The leadership of the PUP became vacant last week Friday, October 7th, when Opposition Leader Hon. John Briceño announced he would be stepping down as leader of the PUP for health reasons. Briceño had been quietly battling a serious health complication for some time, and only recently did it worsen to a point that his medical advisors told him it was time to bow out. Aware of the repercussions, Briceño humbly and boldly stepped aside.

The resignation sent shockwaves, and like with the swiftness of his announcement at a National Executive meeting held Friday, so did the Party act. With majority support of the Executive, Espat was nominated as the Interim Leader, with responsibility to hold over until the process of selecting a new leader within 30 days was completed.

That Executive nomination has turned into an overwhelming endorsement, as the support coming from Caucuses as well as Party’s standing units is indicating.

Wednesday night’s meeting was focused on the Party forging ahead in unity. No one dissented Hon. Espat’s interim leadership nor questioned his capacity as Party Leader. Meanwhile, eleven of the twelve constituencies supported his bid for Leader, including Freetown which was represented by two-term Area Representative and PUP Senior Deputy Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, and Fort George which was represented by constituency Chairman and Party Chairman Henry Usher. The others included Belize Rural Central, Queen Square, Lake Independence, Mesopotamia, Pickstock, Caribbean Shores, Port Loyola, Albert and the Collet divisions.

PUP Eastern Caucus meets on Wednesday night

The differing view came from Belize Rural North, who’s Standard Bearer Arthur Saldivar has announced an interest in contesting the post. But it was the majority who decides, and the Eastern Caucus felt Saldivar, who is surely poised to win a landslide victory against the UDP’s callous Edmond Castro in Rural North, should reconsider and instead join them in unity.

A meeting to be held by the PUP’s National Executive on Thursday morning will set a date and place for a national convention which is when a new leader for the PUP will emerge.

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12 Responses to “Landslide! – Support for Mark Espat as next PUP Leader is overwhelming”

Lucas said on Friday, October 14, 2011, 15:43

If I am a bloody drug dealer, a womanizer, an alcoholic, a dead-beat, an s.o.b. ,etc. etc. and you point it out to me, sad as it is, it is no criticisim but the plain truth. I may get visibly angry and even punch you but, it does not change the truth. Is it true or not, that Mark authored and tabled the SUPER-BOND to which you and me, our children and grandchildren will be saddled for years?. Is it not true that Mark attendance at PUP rallies were seldom if any?. Is it not true that Mark attendance in the house of representative, for which he is paid, is extremely notorious?. Is it not true that Mark is famous for following in the footstep of Brutus and Judas?. If not, then why he did not resigned as his brother? The fact that at the moment I cannot prove that he is one of the millioneers, the fact is you guys can prove other-wise. Mark has always had his personal egotistical agenda and like a spoiled bratt, throws a tantrum if things do not go his way. While the PUP has the right to choose their leader, they can not push it on the electorate as a whole for, no party sits atop Independence Hill without the blessing of the Independent and believe it or not, we are not impressed. You might brush us aside but, you will stay what you are: THE OPPOSITION. Of course, you do not have to take our help but if you want it, then take out your trash and flush your toilet.
Ricky Malthus said on Friday, October 14, 2011, 16:25

As I walked around incognito in Belize City to query Belizeans sentiments about Barrow and his Administration and sought answers who in the PUP could lead the party to head up the next government, at least 150 respondents out of 160 said that they will vote for the PUP with whatever leader it has. I also asked how many would vote for UDP. Only 5% said they would out of fifty respondents. So whoever emerges as PUP leader , he/she will have the work cut out. Belize is such a wicked place, one is always standing on quicksand especiallt where politics is concerned. So whether it is Mark Espat or Charles Henry Usher chosen to lead, let’s hope he administers with fairness, justice, wisdom, with economic , legal, and political savoir-faire. i just hope that Espat is not compromised by the philosophy of the OBEAH of the Zinc Fence and Charles Henry imitates the action of the tiger as he enters the breach.
Dormant PUP said on Friday, October 14, 2011, 16:47

These are exciting moments for the PUP. I feel re-energized and look forward to seeing the party officially place Hon. Mark Espat as our new leader. I for myself look forward to volunteering with hard work and dedication for the betterment of the party as we advance to the upcoming municipal elections. All the best to Hon. Jonh Briceno. Let us not overlook his contributions, for they will be an integral part of the PUP’s success in the near future.
Odd Belizean Gial said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 0:29

I do agree with you DP! It’s the most soothing information I have read for sometime about my country. Since August I have been using BelizeNews.Com to keep up with what’s happening over there. It’s time for us to support potential leaders so our country can move forward. My request is to all those who read this reply; please prayer for atonement. God’s mercy is at hand. Also tell Hon. Mark to please continue walking in the path of righteousness. God has removed the veil from our eyes and we have seen our leaders perish especially in the National House. For 30 years I have been following this movement and I’m willing to toil hard for my country! This is the first time I’m out of my country and everwhere I go I see a better Belize if we elect effective leaders. 3 cheers for Hon. Mark Espat !!!
Amirah said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 3:33

I applaud Mr. Saldivar for being what a true leader should do and make his intentions none as a better leader than what PUP has offered up. These people all have a price and it is shameful, a bunch of elitists who will bury the nation.
Retired CEO said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 7:45

We should not forget that Espat supports the ninth amendment, we should not forget that Mark Espat has sought to undermined the PUP on several occasions, under the guise of a knight in shiney armour, or honest Abe & George Washington who did not cutting down the proverbial cherry tree. Are we that desparate that we will settle for self righteous, vain glorious, self agrandizer Mark? Wake up PUP This is not what the Late Hon. George C. Price stood and died for?
Look Inside said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 18:09

I was trying to find out what qualifies Mark Espat to be the Party Leader / Next PM but info reaches a dead end very quickly. The biggest problem will be the ECONOMY and CRIME…. Lets see who will be capable…

Mark Espat : 40 years old, SJC high school diploma, SJC 6th form dropout 2nd year, 1 year course at Viterbo College….
NO Degree, No Associate Degree, No Skill nor experience. Where will Mark Take us??????

Arthur Saldivar: 40 years old, Associates Degree SJC, Bachelors in Economics, Bachelors International Studies / Diplomacy, Post Grad in Law……

We will continue to SUFFER with Mark, Clearly Arthur is the right man for the job. Mark if u love this country endorse Arthur. Stop fool us

SUPPORT ARTHUR SALDIVAR.
I Vex As... said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 19:15

What the hell is wrong with my party? Why are we still going top bed with Ashcroft when Ashcroft is the reason why we took a beating and got kicked out of Belmopan? Mr Espat, we nuh need no Ashcroft affiliation because that is what got Musa’s hands tied and made our party lok like a criminal organisation of corrupt Ministers who had their puppet strings pulled by Ashcroft. I don’t like Arthur Saldivar one bit. But if a PUP says that the party has struck a deal with Ashcroft for financing then it has to be true judging from past experience with Musa. Mr Espat you better realise that PUP nuh belongs to who ever makes up the Executive Committees or whoever comprises of the body of standard bearers. PUP belongs to the supporters of the PUP not to the 31 standard bearers of the PUP or to any employee of the party. You lot who fill up those posts in party and those of you who stand as standard bearers for the PUP are agents of US the supporters of the PUP. You are our agents and we are your principals. WE NUH WANT NUTTIN FI DO WITH ASHCROFT. NO BODY GIVE YOU MONEY FI NOTHING. ASHCROFT MIGHT GIVR THE PARTY A FEW MILLION FI CAMPAIGN BUT HE DEFINITELY WANTS A LOT MORE THAN HE IS WILLING TO GIVE THE PARTY. I say down with Ashcroft and any party member who wants to further Ashcrofts goals because that is not what we the supporters of the PUP want. Ashcroft will want BTL back. And really we Belizeans nuh want dat because that will mean higher phone bills and taxpayers dollars will be used to guarantee Ashcroft makes at least 15% return in profit. That means he could pay one of his companies all of the BTL profit and turn around and say look ya me nuh mek no profit so taxpayers haffu pay up da 15% profit margin. We nuh want dat kinda fool fool. Please!!
Belizean first said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 19:24

With due respect to the Party Elders this is 2011 and the country is so messed up financially, legally and socially that we need a younger sharp witted and emotionally stable MAN at the helm. Saldivar and Espat are 40 and 41 years old respectively so now could be any of their time. Saldivar is a fellow in a global Economist s Honors sorority, having completed his bachelors degree in Economics and International Studies and Diplomacy as a Fullbright scholar in 1998. He is thus eminently qualified to run our financial matters in a globalized era. His prowess and record as a winning attorney is in the top five. So our judiciary will be free to function with him in office. We need a leader who can not only take the heat but, like steel,grow sharper and stronger under heat and pressure.
A very concerned PUP said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 19:57

I am in full support of the Hon. Mark Espat. An advised that I could give to him is that, If he want to be a good leader an to lead our great Party to victory in 2012 and in 2013 election he has to stay strong, fallow the constitution of our great People United Party, also please fallow the will of The party on the ninth amendment (The party has voted NO to the Ninth). As a party supporter I want to know what you will do, because you are in record in supporting the ninth. Don’t listen to any false allegation coming from Auther Saldivar and also beware of the media, we know who are them, one of them is Jules Vasquez from Channel 7, when ever he get a chance to interview you,he will try to hit you from different angles.(But I know that the Hon, Mark Espat has that ability to answer Jules when ever that time comes, If you don’t believe me as the Hon. John Saldivar Belmopan area representative and Minister of Sport)
Amirah said on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 22:57

This guy only finished high school, some acclaimed leader!

Balderamos is not the only Viterbo alumnus to return to a leadership role in her country. At least four others hold key positions in the highest levels of Belize’s government. Jorge Espat ’93 is Minister of National Security; Mark Espat, who attended for one year, is Minister of Tourism; Ismail Garcia ’83 was named Belize’s first ambassador to Guatemala; and Brenda Armstrong ’83 is the principal at Wesley College and one of just eight senators in the Belize National Assembly.
http://www.viterbo.edu/strides.aspx?id=9310
bushman said on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 0:11

Wow! The fact that you have a degree in this and that does not mean you could be a good representation of the people and for the people! What is wrong wid dih Party man? Who is Arthur? You just come and you already want to cease power? Mark Espat is the man that can lead the PUP to victory in the upcoming convention. If you all don’t support mark then the PUP is doomed.