And while most of the UDP is busy doing political contortions to get over and around this divisive John Saldivar issue, President of the Senate Darrell Bradley ain't got no time for that. He spent the weekend coming up with draft campaign finance legislation. It's based on the US model and integrates other elements. And, right now Bradleys ays it's the only conversation that Belize needs to have if it really wants to get rid of money politics:
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"You have gone on a fools errand here by preparing an entire elaborate piece of legislation when A, being the president of the Senate, you cannot introduce it, B, your party has given no indication that it is interested in it. You are a UDP Mr. Bradley, so you are doing this either as a fools errand or for shameless self promotion."
Hon. Darrell Bradley- President of the Senate
"So, what you are saying though is that if it is a hopeless cause, the country is hopeless. So, my response to that is that everybody should just move abroad. This is not Darrell Bradley as a member of the Senate. This is not Darrell Bradley a UDP. This is Darrell Bradley a father, this is a Darrell Bradley a husband, this is Darrell Bradley a citizen of Belize saying that, you know what, if we do not do things differently in the society, there will come a point where we will hit a point in our democracy and our society that we cannot bounce back from. So, I think at this present moment, yes it is a fools errand. Yes, we may see a situation where nothing will change. No legislation will be passed. But that is a reality which I want it it be said that that's a reality. So, I know what timing I am on."
Jules Vasquez
"So, there is a vacuum in leadership for your party. Are you interested in the job?"
Hon. Darrell Bradley
"No man, Jules."
Jules Vasquez
"Just answer me. I saw this thing about. Did you have any involvement in the..."
Hon. Darrell Bradley
"That was something that I did in Caribbean Shores. I will say this honestly, Jules, one of the things is that you have to use a certain time and a certain moment. And the time and the moment right now is for passage of legislation. It's very difficult to refocus, you know because a lot of people watch the noise, a lot of people listen to what is going on, a lot of people focus on old things, you know. What we really need in society is that we need the legislation. If people are really dissatisfied, let's get the legislation done in a relatively short period of time."
Jules Vasquez
"So, then, let us say miracle of miracles, the legislation is embraced and passed. It is embraced on a bi-partisan bases, maybe modified. Let's say this becomes the law. Then, are you interested in the job?"
Hon. Darrell Bradley
"I wouldn't say that I'm not interested in the job but I would say that we need to...This is the answer I would give to you. I would be interested in the job."
Tomorrow, we'll have part two of our extended interview with Bradley.
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