Queen Square Stays Red; Three U.D.P.s Fall in Port Loyola

Belizeans across the country had their eyes glued to Queen Square and Port Loyola for different reasons. In Queen Square, the People’s United Party was aiming for a historic first-time win in the division. Meanwhile, Port Loyola was buzzing with excitement, boasting the highest number of candidates in any division, including three from the United Democratic Party. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the ground in both areas and brings us this report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On election day, the Queen Square Division, with two thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four registered voters, saw a seventy-two percent turnout. The candidates were Godwin Haylock and Shane Williams for the United Democratic Party, Dr. Lorna McKay for the People’s United Party, and Gary Matus for the People’s Democratic Movement. We spoke with the candidates early in the day. By the end of the day, after counting all two thousand, twenty-six ballots, Godwin Haylock emerged victorious with one thousand, one hundred and ninety-two votes.

 

Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square

“I must say they have been strong with me. The U.D.P voters in Queen Square are really strong like a rock. They have held this division together for more than forty-years now.”

 

In its forty-year history, Queen Square has never had a representative from the People’s United Party. Dr. Lorna McKay aimed to change that by promising to meet the needs of the residents if elected.

 

Dr. Lorna Mckay, P.U.P. Candidate, Queen Square

“Incrementally we have done our job, we have campaigned, we have spoken to residents, we have made sure they know what we are about. Residents are ready to make that change, they are willing to move on and leave the old Queen Square behind.”

 

But when the dust settled, Dr. McKay only managed to get six hundred and eighty-seven votes, just thirty-five percent of the total. Shane Williams got sixty-six votes, and Matus received only nine. The deep divide within the UDP was a hot topic in this election, almost as much as who would win. In his victory speech, Haylock mentioned that his win strengthens the effort to unite the party.

 

Godwin Haylock

“Really it is an attempt to bring unity not only in Queen Square, but unity in the entire country. I think the party is plagued by the infighting. I hope I will be meeting with the Honorable Tracy Panton, the party leader and we get everybody together and form one U.D.P.”

 

Election day in the Port Loyola division was marked by a fierce contest. The most intriguing part was the number of candidates, five in total, the highest in any constituency across the country. Three of them ran under the UDP banner. Port Loyola had fifty-three percent voter turnout from four thousand, eight hundred registered voters.

 

Gilroy Usher, Area Representative, Port Loyola

“I want to say sincere thanks to the people of Port Loyola for having that confidence in me for appreciating the work I have done in that division and to show it by voting for me in an overwhelming manner at the polls. Today I want to say again, that four and a half years after being elected, despite the challenges, I am even more committed, two hundred, I would say four hundred percent committed to betterment.”

 

In this five-way race, Doctor Nelma Mortis, Phillip Willoughby and former Port Loyola Area Rep. Anthony Martinez, all ran under the UDP umbrella.

 

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, U.D.P. Candidate, Port Loyola

“The thing here is that everything is up to the people and the people will make the decision and the determination. I don’t have a problem with it you know.”

 

Phillip Willoughby, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola

“Even if we don’t make it, or any candidate don’t make it, still congratulations to anybody who decided to put themselves on the ballot. To the victor, be prepared to be challenged by myself.”

 

Dr. Nelma Mortis, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola

“I have done my campaign and I am relying on the people to chose the best candidate for Port.”

 

Nelma Mortis got one hundred and fifty-one votes. Willoughby earned two hundred and sixty-one votes, while Martinez led the three with three hundred and fifty-two votes. Third-party candidate Wilmore Tablada received the fewest votes, totaling fifty-four.

 

Wilmore Tablada, P.D.M. Candidate, Port Loyola

“At the end of the day people done mek up their minds about what they need to do. I don’t end to burst my brain. I don’t have nothing to lose. This dah my first time in the general election and I might do better than them.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez