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Hon. Boots Says PUP Infiltrated, Dominated UDP Convention
posted (November 5, 2018)
And so, while Willoughby has a happy beginning, the Boots thing….that ending isn't going too well. In successive political contests - we're talking the City Council in March and this divisional convention - Martinez-backed candidates have failed to get a majority of the vote in his division.

But, how did his candidate lose this convention in his own division with Boots working and spending to ensure a victory for Peyrefitte?

Martinez says the PUP infiltrated Willoughby's camp and heavily influenced the outcome.

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez, Port Loyola Rep.
"It was a rough day. I had some hitches in the way and only recognize last night after the convention was over that it was the difference in terms of winning and losing was that the People's United Party involved was the difference. We were out-maneuvered quietly and easily in the afternoon yesterday and you know like when they say "you don't see what is happening to you." I recognizes it after the thing was over."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"When you left last night I ask you who will win and you told me Phillip Willoughby. I thought you were joking, but did you at that time....?"

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez, Port Loyola Rep.
"I conscious what have been - the PUP wasn't joking with us. This was a UDP convention. It was supposed to be a convention for the supporters of the United Democratic Party. But lo and behold only to find out that the strike off list that was never honored by the party - there was no strike off list at all."

"Saturday I got a call to say that the candidates are up in arms saying that I was striking off people who are the campaigners. There were campaigners for PUP who worked for Mr. Usher out there street to street with lists."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You are saying PUPs infiltrated under Phillip Willoughby's camp. So then all this means is that you do not accept that the results is the true voice of the UDPs of Port Loyola."

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez, Port Loyola Rep.
"Yes, I believe so."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Now you know they called that sour grapes."

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez, Port Loyola Rep.
"No man. Let's put it this way. I am just dealing with what is the reality sir."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You do accept though that voters came from Teakettle - that you brought them by bus from Teakettle - that voters leaked in from Queen Square. You accept though that a convention is not church."

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez, Port Loyola Rep.
"Wherever voters came from, they are bonafide registered UDPs. Yes, whatsoever strategy it is it worked and I have to agree. I have to put up my hand to that. They had a better strategy yesterday."

Martinez's objection list had 91 names. By his count, as many as four hundred PUP's voted in the convention including two of PUP candidate Gilroy Usher's children. A third tried and was turned away.

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