Whatever happens in the next election, there's no arguing that former UDP Orange Walk East Representative Marcel Cardona made history during his term.
The firebrand backbencher lashed out at his party in the House - which is rare but not unprecedented. After that, he became the first representative to be moved to the other side of the house - but without officially crossing the floor.
Cardona has - at all times - lobbied passionately for Orange Walk East, and it was widely thought that would run independent.
So today when he called a press conference, with the house having been dissolved, it was his first chance to speak freely - without the fear that the Government might try to force a bye-election by saying he had crossed the floor.
Today, he used his freedom to say a great many things, but most importantly - to outline the plans for his future in politics:..
Jules Vasquez Reporting
Former Ow East Representative, Marcel Cardona, showed he is still able to fill a room - albeit a small one bringing about two dozen supporters from his area.
Cardona gave a passionate, strident anti - government screed - complete with gesticulations - a speech so strident and outspoken, that it would make even Francis Fonseca blush.
Marcel Cardon - Former Orange Walk East Representative
"Has the prime minister delivered on his promises contained in this manifesto entitled, 'Imagine the possibilities'? Has he delivered? And the answer is no."
And while vented with this from his 4,500 word, 12 page, 45 minute speech - at times, he deviated from the script, and went off on a rant to expose a deep seated, almost fiendish dislike for his former party leader Dean Barrow - whose name was mentioned at least 23 times in the speech:
Marcel Cardona
"We have a dictator in the making, ladies and gentlemen, and I sound the warning today, and I ask the Belizeans not be carried away by this actor, by this first-class actor."
But for Cardona, Barrow was just collateral damage; the real reason he was having a press conference was to make The Big Announcement:
Marcel Cardona
"The moment of truth has arrived. The decision - the moment of decision is here, and ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce to you today, that myself and members of our Orange Walk East Upliftment Committee have discussed the issue concerning the way going forward, and as a consequence, I have decided to take a time out from electoral politics as this time. I shall not be contesting the upcoming general elections, ladies and gentlemen."
He says he needs a break:
Marcel Cardona
"And if I am not running, you know what? After 4 years a beating that I have been taking from my own UDP Government, after that horrible beating, I don't think that I feel up to it to go and seek another term of office in this time."
But, Cardona is heartily throwing his support behind the PUP Candidate
Marcel Cardona
"In fact, the Orange Walk East Upliftment Committee has voted on, and has agreed that considering the two candidates in Orange Walk, the UDP's candidate and the PUP's candidate, it shall be endorsing, campaigning for, and shall be supporting the PUP's candidate, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez in Orange Walk East. We will be going out, Marcel Cardona and the members of the Orange Walk East Upliftment Committee, together with Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez in Orange Walk East."
Cardona says he will also personally support Mendez and Francis Fonseca in consideration of:
Marcel Cardona
"Because we have been offered commitments that People's United Party, once in office, it shall attend to those needs of the people that have been neglected over the 4 years by this present UDP Government, ladies and Gentlemen."
And so, after all those theatrics, all that drama, Cardona leaves political life defeated, not at the polls, but as a public figure, reduced now to just a campaigner, a cheerleader for a party he once opposed.
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