Dear UDP delegate:

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

By Past Senator Dr. Deborah Mencias Deborah Mencias-McMillan:

Dear UDP delegate:

I have chosen to write to you at this very moment in time because I still have a tinge of hope. I write because I feel compelled to do so. Plain and simple. You see, like some of you, I know what it is to put your credibility on the line for a politician. Like some of you, I know what it is to muster the confidence to get on that rostrum and campaign for someone other than yourself. Like some of you, I know what it is to get up at 4 am (before your children are awake) and arrive home (when your children are already asleep) because you went to remote areas to campaign for a politician. Like some of you, I know of promise/s made and for which I am still waiting: ONE house lot. But unlike you, thousands and thousands of die-hard and lifelong UDPs will not get to vote on Sunday.

Before you vote at our Party’s convention on Sunday, I ask that you take some time to reflect. Do not reflect on the promises and possible money that you will be offered but reflect on the thousands and thousands of Belizeans for whom you are making these significant decisions. When you mark that X, I want you to ask the following questions:

1. Can you and will you resist bribes?
2. Can you and will you resist in engaging in corruption?
3. Do you have the fortitude to remove or recommend that a colleague be removed from office based on substantiated evidence of involvement in corruption?
4. Will you listen to opposing views and welcome different perspectives?
5. Will you respond to me (be it even a simple email or text) when I submit a recommendation that someone be assisted?
6. Do you realize the potential of the group called the Belizean diaspora?
7. Are you committed to redistricting our country instead of having the minority represent the majority?
8. Will you ensure that the majority of the registered voters (women) have a seat AND a voice at the decision-making table?
9. Are you (female or male aspirant) capable of and committed to addressing the patriarchal structures that have prevented women from meaningful engagement in Belize?
10. Can you and will you put Belize about partisan politics?

Let us first be true to ourselves before we offer ourselves to the people of Belize. General elections may be about winning, but party conventions are about building. Right now, our party needs many more bridge builders. Thus far, I’ve seen far too many sowing the seeds of division. So my dear UDP delegate, this is not about you. It’s about US. Vote for the party.

Past Senator Dr. Deborah Mencias-McMillan

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