We reported on Friday that PUP Cayo South Representative Julius Espat had resigned as Deputy Leader of the West. This is 4 months after he was re-elected to that post in a National Convention - and a few days before re-registration. So why did he resign so abruptly - and on the cusp of re-registration? Today, in a testy interview, he told Jules Vasquez that the Central power in the party stripped away the autonomy of the west, making him a deputy in name only:…
Hon. Julius Espat - Resigned PUP Deputy West
"And, of recently, central politics has determined the actions in the west and I believe that's not the best way of doing. And so I decided you know something, I want the people united party to win. I don't want to be an obstacle in allowing the west to do better. And so I will just move aside for a little while until he party defines who bets to address the situation in the west. Because the last municipal election was a clear example that there has to be more participation of members of the caucus for the future of the caucus."
Jules Vasquez
"The converse opinion on the awful results of the PUP in the west in the municipal election is that you Julius as the deputy leader for the west, you did not put your back into it. You did not put work, you weren't on the ground, you weren't leading as the Deputy Leader, because Julius Espat has a tendency, it's my way or the highway, you took the highway."
Hon. Julius Espat
"No, we had made proposal to the leadership many months before the municipal election as to how it should be done. And it was a simple way. To be able to win you have to send people on the ground first, you have to spend time, you have to convince your people, you have to inspire people before you become a candidate. You cannot send in someone to run in an election a month before and expect that they all of a sudden, they will make it all happen."
"And so we had a clear proposal as to what needed to be done. I was quite clear this i what need to done to at least have a fighting chance of winning the leadership of the party decided that they wanted to do it differently, in their way. And so I humbly said, you know something, boss. Let's try it out. Do it you way, I will not fight you, I will just observe. And I just observed."
Jules Vasquez
"Also known as my way or the highway. You are not a team player, Julius."
Hon. Julius Espat
"No, Jules. But if there is a formula of success in winning in the west Cayo South has it. For the last two general elections. So why not try a winning formula, why noh try? They are trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result...I; But, it's good that you try."
"So you are telling me now that because I am giving an opinion and because I am not fighting. I'm saying, you know something, that if your opinion is the way to go, then try it. And they did. I was not on the ground, but I was listening, recommending advising to anyone that was running you could ask any one of the candidates."
Jules Vasquez
"Yes sir, but the work is out there. I'm saying that we may not like what the head of an organization does, but at the end of the day we have to say, you're the boss, I gave my input; you declined it. I will fall in."
Hon. Julius Espat
"Even if you're going over the cliff?"
Jules Vasquez
"However there is, I'm saying that PUP should have made incremental progress in this municipal election. You could not even agree on a mayoral candidate for Belmopan, which is directly within your sphere of influence."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I didn't participate because we make an agreement."
Jules Vasquez
"It's because you're dragging your foot, everyone knows Julius."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I noh think soh."
Jules Vasquez
"We agree you did not support the candidate for Belmopan which is within your direct sphere of influence."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I did not participate in the elections because the proposals that we were making, were not adhered to and so that makes it difficult for you to participate in something that you know will not end up with a positive result and I have not..."
Jules Vasquez
"Then how will you work in a government sir? When the PUP is elected there is a prime minister, he's in charge of the cabinet. Decisions are made collectively..."
Hon. Julius Espat
"If the decision is a good decision."
Jules Vasquez
"But sir not all decisions you will agree with, this is the nature of the world, this is the nature of being in an organization."
Hon. Julius Espat
"You are trying to justify the status quo."
Jules Vasquez
"This is the logic of a political party sir."
Hon. Julius Espat
"No, I am against that."
Jules Vasquez
"Then you need to run independent, this is the logic of political parties."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I am happy within the PUP, I just need reform."
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