After two years of of trying to wrangle politicians to run in the Freetown Division, Belize Prime Minister has apparently ran out of options and opted to hand-pick another sacrificial lamb, a nondescript, dry-as-a-bone matron Carla Barnett. Freetown is "owned" by People's United Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, thus reluctance by any but the foolish or those with no options would be induced to run. At age 60, Barnett is the oldest woman to run for political office in Belize's history.
Here is how the senior citizen responded to questions posed today:
We told you about it last night, and today, the UDP made it official: retiree Carla Barnett is the party’s new candidate in the Freetown Division. The 60 year old matron, is a well-known bureaucrat in Belize. She holds a Masters degree in economics and a Ph. D in social science; she’s served as the Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM and the Vice President of the Caribbean Development Bank – and that’s only the start of a long list of senior postings and accomplishments. Indeed, an impressive resume – but all that doesn’t count for much out on the streets where voters want a candidate who delivers goods, services and, yes, political patronage. So how will Carla Barnett, the academic and administrator navigate that taxing and treacherous environment – and, moreover, how will she do it against the leader of the opposition? We had the tough questions for her today at a press conference to launch her candidacy. It was held at the UDP Headquarters in Belize city with an unusual level of hype and fanfare – we were there to find out why:….
Carla Barnett - Senior Citizen and Candidate-in-waiting – UDP Freetown
"I am offering my experience and my knowledge to help the people of the Freetown constituency. I plan to get deep inside the Freetown constituency."
Jules Vasquez
"Public service is the least of it in politics. Often times you're a human service officer, for ever need people have and you need to solve those problems. What makes you think that your previous life in public administration would equip you for the hurly burly and the grind of politics?"
Carla Barnett
"Hurly burly, I am no stranger to hurly burly. I've had to work in my public life under conditions that have been difficult and demanding to say the least. Politics is new but others have done it; There is nothing special about me that will make me unable to work with people and to help people solve their problems; That's what we're here to do. It's not going to be easy, nobody is pretending that it's going to be easy but it will require stead fastness, it will require hard work and consistency. Those are things I do very well."
Julez Vasquez
"Have you ever worked in a campaign, have you ever been involved in any election cycle for any candidate?"
Carla Barnett
"Julez, you know I can't answer that question. I have contributed to work. I haven't worked the, so if that's what you're asking me, no I haven't done that."
Julez Vasquez
"Do you have any realistic; The reason there's a vacuum in Freetown is because nobody wants to run against Francis Fonseca and the chance of losing is high; Because beating the leader of the opposition, especially when they're in a position is extremely hard to do, it's never been done while the leaders in a position. So then, my question is, do you have any realistic hope or this is you are taking one for the team. It's very cynical but I must ask."
Carla Barnett
"Julez, I don't think I'm known as somebody who set out to waste time. I believe that there is a strong possibility of winning that seat with support and with hard work. Yes, there's a vacuum in Freetown but the vacuum is on both sides if I can be blunt. Statistically speaking, the seat was relatively marginal in the last 2 elections, relatively marginal. That suggest to me, that there is indeed every possibility of taking that seat."
Julez Vasquez
"Are you able to marshal the type of resources which a leader of the opposition would have at his disposal. At the end of the day, again, this will be a part of the learning curve I imagine but, politics is a money game; And unfortunately historic analogy needs be made that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has in the past recruited his favorite female followers to offer themselves for office. I see one here Ms. Marilyn Williams and I think in that same election Ms.Diane Haylock,regrettably holds the unfortunate distinction of coming in third place. I'm saying that the prime minister, the 2 candidates he recruited before, in 2003, one for 15% and one got 17% of the vote; Which are 2 of the most dismal performances in UPD's history, how does that place you?"
Carla Barnett
"Julez, this is 2015. A lot has happened, things have changed significantly."