Moses “Shyne” Barrow Introduces U.D.P. Thirty

On Saturday, the Moses “Shyne” Barrow-led United Democratic Party unveiled its slate of thirty candidates for the upcoming general election. The only constituency without a U.D.P. candidate is Corozal Bay, where they are backing independent candidate Elvia Vega. Barrow and his team also launched their manifesto during the event at the U.D.P. Headquarters. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the scene to get the details.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Saturday, just two days before Nomination Day, United Democratic Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow held a press conference to introduce his team of thirty candidates for the March 12th general election.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, U.D.P Leader

“These ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and sisters that have taken up the call to action of our democracy, to hold this government accountable and to provide a viable alternative for the people of Belize. The people of people to rescue themselves form this PUP government and that is the beauty of democracy. These ladies and gentlemen here with me from our beloved United Democratic Party, are asking you to give them a chance to do better than what the wretched PUP has done. We are asking for that chance to do better because you deserve better.”

Barrow’s UDP team of thirty features mostly new faces, along with some familiar ones like Barrow himself, Hugo Patt, Omar Figueroa, and Tony Herrera. During his speech, Barrow didn’t hold back, taking jabs at the Tracy Panton faction and their candidates running under the same UDP banner.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Today we celebrate the fight, because though they try to distract us, though they send traitors to infiltrate us and be treasonous and to betray their oath to the Belizean people and cause mischief and distraction form the real issues, we have not relented. Certain independent parties say that they would showcase thirty-one candidates. They had twelve and struggled to pick up a few others. Here we are with thirty candidates, because we will not field a candidate in Corozal Bay.”

 

On Saturday, Barrow and his candidates rolled out their manifesto. This three-page document covers various aspects of governance, including sports, healthcare, housing, and citizen security.

 

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

“Our manifesto will be reflecting greatly and I  know our youth will love to hear this. We will now focus on ensuring that our national university if fully funded to allow access to free education at the tertiary level for all Belizeans.”

 

Abraham Flowers, U.D.P Candidate, Freetown

“Under the UDP we will upgrade all existing health facilities with proper medical equipment, ranging from basic equipment such oximeter, EKG or ECG machine etc, to complex equipment such as CT scan machine, dialysis machine, Chemotherapy machine, radiology machines.”

 

Tyrone Louriano, U.D.P Candidate, Caribbean Shores

“We will increase the salaries of our police officers by five percent. This I believe will afford the officers some relief from their daily obligations and allow them to be able to focus on their duties to ensure the safety of their duties. We intend to double the budget for the National Forensic Unit.”

 

Shane Williams, U.D.P Candidate, Queen Square

“The next UDP government will finally treat those athletes who wear the country’s names and colors on their chest with the appreciation they deserve. All current national team players will be placed on a full livable salary. They finally will be able to focus on their training to deliver their absolute best. No more begging on the side of the road to go an represent your own country.”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I confess to you the Belizean people, there are days that my head hot mih, mih head the spin, but I know God, because I have been through hell, the worst that a human being can go through. And when my head the spin I say for the Belizean people, for what I know I can do for this country, for what I could leave for my daughter and grandchildren, mek mih head spin. By the grace of God I will continue on until my last breath.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez