Former Lake-I area representative and two-time Minister of Education Cordel Hyde is officially back in the P.U.P. fold. Hyde, who is unbeaten in that constituency, stepped down from participating in the 2012 General Elections when his son became terminally ill. In the wake of that decision, his would-be opponent Mark King delivered the well-known P.U.P. stronghold to the United Democratic Party when he defeated Martin Galvez, who entered the race at the eleventh hour. Hyde, who has his sights on returning the seat to the P.U.P., first has to regain the support of his constituents and Saturday’s endorsement was a barometer for how well he is received in Lake-I. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The return of erstwhile Lake-I area representative Cordel Hyde to electoral politics, following a two-year hiatus in 2012, is a comeback for stalwarts of the People’s United Party in that constituency. On Saturday evening, scores of supporters, including those from outside the community, converged on the St. Martin’s Football Field. Before a sea of blue, Hyde’s candidacy for the next general elections was endorsed by the brass of the P.U.P.
Cordel Hyde, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Lake-I
Cordel Hyde
“I, Cordel Hyde, do solemnly swear that I pledge to work for the achievement of the aims and objectives of the peaceful, constructive Belizean revolution, to work for the principles, policies and programs of the People’s United Party, to abide by the constitution, discipline and decisions of the People’s United Party.”
Hyde’s oath to office succeeded what, to others, may have been a homecoming of sorts. His legacy as a successful politician in Lake Independence is unmatched since his foray into politics in 1996, stepping down in 2012 to attend to his terminally ill son.
Cordel Hyde
“Two years ago, you made my burden a little lighter, you took care of me during some very dark days, so that today I can declare to world and country that unlike some people weh da just kohn ya, I da born and raise ya… I belong ya, I live ya, da ya I wahn dead. I am the tree planted by the river which will not be moved. You know, two years ago very few people would have predicted this day. They said we in the People’s United Party were too divided, we could never reach beyond the issues of the past. Well let it be said that on this blessed Saturday, August thirtieth, 2014 we came together, we came together in support of a greater cause.”
That greater cause, as Belize Rural Central Area Representative Dolores Balderamos Garcia would proudly declare in a rousing address, is the continued work of the People’s United Party in furthering the growth and prosperity of the nation.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Area Representative, Belize Rural Central
“The People’s United Party has always been the hope of Belize and the future of our country. The accomplishments of our country have always been made under the People’s United Party. I want to take a moment this afternoon ladies and gentlemen to say to everybody that the Ministers of Education who have made a difference in this country have been from the People’s United Party. Correct me Right Honorable Said [Musa] if I’m wrong. We have had Madame Liz, am I correct? We have had Said Musa, am I correct? We have had Francis Fonseca, am I correct? And we have had our hero of the afternoon Cordel Hyde. All the good things ladies and gentlemen, all the good things that have happened in education for our people, our children, our future have been under the Ministers of Education of the People’s United Party.”
Elsewhere during the convention, Former Prime Minister Said Musa took the opportunity to address the social ills plaguing Belizeans, particularly those on the south side of Belize City. He framed his pointed commentary within the context of the Gang Suppression Unit and its questionable modus operandi.
Said Musa
Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George
“The People in Lake Independence have been living a nightmare of neglect and repression just as much as all the young people on south side Belize City. Yes my friends, I was looking at what the Amandala said, I believe it’s in an editorial or perhaps it’s from the publisher, that Belize today, to be young and black in Belize City today is to be treated as a criminal or a potential criminal. That is the sad state of affairs that we’re in today my friends, when we have these GSU people riding about in pickups with U.S. flags on them and they go into your home and raid your yard and your home and lock the house until the occupants, even the people who live in that house, you cannot see what we’re searching for. They lock out the people and they carry out their search and they beat up people as well… This is what we are dealing with my friends classic example.”
Equally lending his unwavering support was former party leader, Orange Walk Central area representative Johnny Briceño.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Area Representative, Orange Walk Central
“Cordel and I, we have been in many battles and whenever Cordel and I fight we fight to win for the people of Belize, ladies and gentlemen. We all know that the people of Lake Independence have always had a proud history of having good leaders, leaders like Carlos Diaz and Cordel Hyde, ladies and gentlemen. And now that Cordel Hyde has seen his people suffering, Cordel Hyde has seen his people abandoned, Cordel Hyde has seen his people victimized, Cordel is saying enough is enough and he is ready to fight for you in Lake Independence, ladies and gentlemen.”
While Hyde prepares to take on incumbent U.D.P. area representative Mark King, there is still a lot to be done on the ground to secure his seat in the House of Representatives.