Last week we took you to two key general election battlegrounds in
the north - Orange Walk North and Orange Walk Central. In the city a key
battleground is the Collet division. Three candidates are running for one seat.
Most political pundits agree and history concurs that right now it is anybody's
race. We cite history because the Collet division has been flip flopping since
1989. But what will it be in 2008? Here's a preview of what's at
stake.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The battle for Collet is between the incumbent - UDP's Patrick Faber.
Patrick Faber, Area Representative - Collet
"There is nothing but love out in this division for Patrick Faber
and the United Democratic Party at this time. So the energy is high out here."
And the insurgent - urban planner turned politician - Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
for the PUP.
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, PUP Standard Bearer - Collet
"We need to move forward, we need to take Collet to the next step.
We need to work together, we need people who are going to come into the constituency
and work, not people who are going to hide. We need people with courage, with
conviction, we need people with the qualifications and the experience and the
willingness to do the job."
The battle for Collet is fierce and interesting because no one party can stake
claim to this division. In 1993 the UDP won and in 1998, in 2003 the UDP won
again and those have all been by fairly thin margins.
Patrick Faber,
"This is the first time since our independence that this division
is going to go back to back for the red and for Patrick Faber. No doubt about
that."
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford,
"I think what happens with Collet Keith, the people in Collet are
humble people. They are people who know exactly what they want for representation
and when they don't get it, they vote you out and that's what's
going to happen on February 7th, they are not happy with the representation
of the Hon. Patrick Faber."
But while voters might not be happy with Patrick Faber - those same people
probably aren't happy with the present government - under whose banner
Trench-Sandiford is running. Her answer is simple: it comes down to one woman
versus two men.
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford,
"Keith I welcome the challenge because I explain to them why I am
a standard bearer for the PUP, why I chose Collet as a constituency, because
it is a constituency which I was born in, a constituency which nurtured and
supported me and raised me and I am who I am because of Collet. At the end of
the day it is candidate versus candidate. Yes there are certain issues and concerns
that the people raise regarding the PUP and I think I have been able to respond
to those queries and concerns."
But though she may be winning the war of signs - there are larger than life photos of her across the division - Patrick Faber says he will win
the old fashion way - campaigning house to house - reaching out and touching
voters.
Patrick Faber,
"Most of the day what I find myself doing is I am going house to house.
You remember on nomination day when you guys interviewed me I said that is exactly
what we intend to do and you can find me out here every single day in homes
because that is how I believe elections are won."
Keith Swift,
What are you telling voters, what are you tell your constituents?
Patrick Faber,
"We are telling them first of all to vote for the UDP because of course
the UDP has a track record to deliver this country every time we are in the
mess and certainly we are in a mess financially and so we are asking for that
support for the UDP as we go house to house."
Keith Swift,
How do you view your opponent Carolyn Trench-Sandiford and her chances against
you?
Patrick Faber,
"Well I don't have anything negative to say about her. I've heard quite a few negative things she has said about me. I think people of this
division understands very well the issues. They understand we had a very spiteful
and vindictive government, one that did not give us the community funds to do
much for people for people. The people out there know the goodness of Patrick
Faber and that is why I can honestly say to you that Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
does not stand a chiney man ghost of a chance, as my colleague Finnegan says
in the Collet constituency. No doubt about it."
There is also no doubt that his opponent is well financed.
Keith Swift,
There is a belief that the PUP is pumping a lot of money into this division
because they believe that it is a one that they can win.
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford,
"The PUP has been putting funding in this division like many other
divisions but I think when you compare Collet to many other divisions, I don't
think that is so. Collet has really been abandoned for some time but it is because
you have an area representative. It is the role of that area representative
to go to the government, to go to the private sector, to go to the business
community, to go to the people and say these are the things we want to do and
that is what we are going to do today.
We're saying this is the vision we have set for Collet. If you know
where you are going Keith you won't get lost. The problem we've
had with the pass representative is that they don't know where he was
going and now four and a half to five years later he comes back and say this
is what he is going to do. But he had five years to do it and he didn't.
The people of Collet are looking for somebody whose going to do things.
And at the end of the day, its like I said to somebody who said they saw
me giving out land, I can't give out land. Only the Minister of Natural
Resources can give out land. But if I could be the Minister of Natural Resources
and give everybody in Collet a land I will do it because that is what the people
want."
Keith Swift,
The PUP is pumping a lot of money into that division and they believe it is
a seat they can win.
Patrick Faber,
"Well I will tell you this, as you go house to house there are many
people who still can't tell you who Carolyn Trench-Sandiford is. There
are many people as well who are telling you no matter what she has given them,
we will take their money, will take their lot, and we will vote them out."
But if the other Patrick - Patrick Rogers gets his way - Collet won't
go red or blue - it'll go yellow for the VIP.
Patrick Rogers, VIP Candidate for Collet
"I believe that these people know I am their brother. I am not from Mars, I am right here in Collet and they know what I stand for. I speak with
a certain amount of consistency. They believe if they want change they can only
get it with VIP. To me the choice is clear Belize - there is only two
options. You either vote for the same system or you vote for change. It is simple
- if you want change you vote yellow."
But the main event will be the blue versus the red - and in one week we'll
know if the celebration Saturday on Lakeview Street was premature.
We spoke to Carolyn Trench Sandiford this evening at the launch of
her manifesto - the Vision 2008 for Collet. Patrick Faber will host his
rally in the division tomorrow. We note that Collet is one of the divisions
radically affected by the re-districting.
|