In less than 2 weeks, voters from the Albert Division will decide who they want as their PUP standard bearer. The choice will be between Senator Paul Thompson, who's the current caretaker, and his challenger and Senate colleague, Valerie Woods.
There is quite bit of political jostling taking place between the two camps, but on June 17, one of them will emerge victorious.
So, who does the current area representative, Tracy Panton want to face in the next election?
It's interesting because Panton has history with both PUP aspirants, since they all worked together at one time in the first term of the Musa Administration post 1998.
But, she said, that it doesn't matter who wins, she's confident that she will be able to deliver the Albert Division back to the UDP:
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton - Area Representative, Albert Division
"It is a matter for the PUP, they have the right to put candidates against each other to vie to become the caretaker of this division and that's what they're doing, it's a matter of their business. I can tell you that the Albert committee and I continue to do what we have done since we have been elected is to serve the people to ensure that the people who elected us get the services that they require from the government of Belize. I have said this before, if you pay attention to your constituency, you have less time to pay attention to your opponents."
Daniel Ortiz
"You would stand to benefit if a weaker candidate emerge wouldn't you?"
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton
"I have made a decision from the onset, I know both senators, they are both colleagues, my colleagues in parliament and so I have no interest in getting involved in the convention. I have asked no one to get involved in the convention. Whoever emerges is the opponent we will face at the next general election."
Reporter
"Which would you prefer to face at the polls?"
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton
"It's really not a matter for me. I have won two elections in terms delivering the seat for the UDP here in Albert and I will deliver this seat again."
Reporter
"Being that you have worked very closely with both of those individuals, does it make you personally uncomfortable to run against them?"
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton
"Not at all because we're doing our work. If we weren't doing our work then I would reason to look over my shoulder but we're doing our work, we will continue to do our work for as long as the people will have us."
The PUP's Albert convention is on June 17.
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