7 News Belize

Herman Longsworth Ready To Re-take Albert
posted (February 8, 2012)
And while Cardona says he needs a break from politics, UDP hopeful in the Albert Herman Longsworth is hoping he gets a break!

With incumbent Mark Espat announcing on Monday that he will not offer himself for the March 7th election, Longsworth's prospects to break the PUP hold on the division immediately and significantly improved.

But, that doesn't mean it will be easy; statistically, Albert was the PUP's surest seat - with Espat registering the largest margin of victory for any PUP seat in two successive elections.

So we found Longsworth today on the campaign trail - where he seemed confident - and hardly moved by Espat's departure:..

Herman Longsworth - UDP Candidate, Albert
"Jules, it really doesn't change my strategy or my game plan. We have been on the ground for some time. We have been laboring, trying to ensure that we garner the support. We want - as strong as the PUP are in Albert or claim to be in Albert - we weren't so concerned about that. We were more concerned about touching people and getting people's support - and we were doing that. So it doesn't really change my game plan. I will continue to be on the ground, and we will continue to go."

Jules Vasquez
Do you think that this improves your chances? Albert, for the PUP, was considered a sure seat."

Herman Longsworth
"It was considered a sure seat by people other than us. So it doesn't really - in my opinion - change much. It really doesn't. People will come out - a lot of people - I have heard the rumors that people will vote for Mark Espat, and not for the PUP. I can't concern myself with that. We are working towards winning an election, and we are talking to people. We are trying to convince people to vote for us. I don't operate on rumors; I don't operate on hearsay. I operate on what people tell me personally. So, that won't affect anything that we are doing, period."

Jules Vasquez
"How will you match up against the new PUP candidate for Albert, David Craig? We know that he lived for many years in this division, and we know also that he is a nephew of Mr. Price."

Herman Longsworth
"Jules, it's more like how he will match up against me. I have lived in Albert for years myself, but I have been on the ground in Albert, for almost a year now. We've been here; we've put in the work. So, it's more like how he will match up against me."

Jules Vasquez
"The committee which assisted Mr. Espat for all those years, has stood down along with him. Is that significant in so far as he has not inherited the committee as has Ms. Schakron, for example, or Mr. Hoy, for example? Do you think that works significantly in your favor?"

Herman Longsworth
"It certainly works against him. I wouldn't say that it works in my favor, but it certainly works against him. If he does not have any serious machinery in Albert, it's difficult to put together that kind of machinery that you need to win an election in a month."

Jules Vasquez
"The years between 1993 and 2008 have seen Albert transform from the surest UDP seat, Mr. Goldson's seat, into one in which the PUP has - Mark Espat specifically - has registered the largest victories for any seat in its party. Do you think that in 2012 you can change that?"

Herman Longsworth
"I will change that, Jules, that's the goal, and that's why I'm here; that will change. Albert will be UDP again."

Jules Vasquez
"With respect, I've seen Mr. Morison, Ms. Williams, in the past walk the walk and talk the same talk you're talking, but when time came for the votes to be counted, they got 'whap'."

Herman Longsworth
"Jules, I mean no disrespect to anybody, but I am nobody but Herman Longsworth, and what I bring is different from what everybody else brings; I believe. I am here to win Albert and we will."

We would have wished to have comments from both candidates and square them one against the other - but when we reached the new PUP candidate David Craig at work - he told us he would have to do it tomorrow.

Craig conceded that he faces what he calls a special challenge because the Albert Committee stepped down along with Mark Espat. He adds, though, that the reception he's gotten so far has been great.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize