Deputy PM Faber was more eager to entertain us on was the subject of the finer political details of his grand endorsement convention at the Belize Civic Center on last week Sunday.
We counted only 9 UDP area representatives and standard bearers who showed up to the event, and we reported it as such. But, shortly after that story aired, several persons in Faber's camp contacted us to disagree, saying that there were more constituencies showing support than that.
They say that Faber had the support, via area reps., standard-bearers AND delegates from 25 of the 31 constituencies at the endorsement convention. So this morning, we asked the Deputy PM to justify how they arrived at that figure.
Hon. Patrick Faber - Aspirant, UDP Leadership
"Our counts were over 2,000 people. We had - the Civic is a very large entity or place, and we did have activities going on outside. And then, there were people on the outside because it was designed to be a kind of family event. But, of course, our concern was to have the people from Collet, the adults especially, and those who are representatives of the various constituencies. And I believe my campaign manager told you right that we had about 25 constituencies represented there on the actual floor of the convention itself. And so, I'm very pleased. I was ecstatic about the attendance. I was happy about a very wonderful ceremony; I think it was a great launch. And, as I said to the media on that day that interviewed me that this is just the beginning. The convention is on February 9th. It is a kick-off. Don't worry about counting and counting. You worry about the count on February 9th. If there is anything that I have taught people in my bids for these various positions in the party is that we work with the people on the ground. We work with the base of the party, who are the owners of the party. And while I respect and love all of my colleagues, it is all about the base."
"There are many who will tell you well, we'll wait. We don't want to come out and say exactly - in terms of those individual ministers and standard bearers. And that's understood. There are some who, I am sure, came to the convention, not decided."
"Now the work begins, and I have to talk to all of the delegates. I have to talk to wider party. I have to, at the same time, convince the nation that I am up for this challenge. And that is my task for the next few months leading up to the convention."
Faber's campaign for leadership continues on a countrywide basis - but his duties as Education Minister took up most of his time today. You'll see more of that in our next segment.
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