Briceno lamented the state of the division under four decades of UDP representation and said he believes that this time, they will be voting differently.

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I am convinced that we have a very good candidate here in Mesopotamia and this division has been represented by the UDP since 1979 and when you look at what has happened over those years, I mean it's a shame that the UDP has controlled this division yet they've done very little and now we have a candidate that grew up in this area. While he didn't necessarily grow up in Mesopotamia, he grew up in Queen Square, right next door. So Lawrence, when he came to talk to me and said this is something that he wants to do, I grilled him properly, I said are you sure this is what you want to do because you're going into a division that very hard, it's tough, traditionally UDP but he explained that he lives in the area, he knows the people, he understands what are the challenges and he believes that he can win with his not only living here, understanding the people but being a business person that he can be able to come up with innovative way to help people in the Mesopotamia division. As we're coming closer to elections, you're feeling a momentum and I am convinced right now that this is the time that we can break that spell, a spell that has been cast over the people of Mesopotamia since 1979 and I believe that here on March 12th 2025, that Lawrence Ellis is going to be the next area representative for Mesopotamia."

"I believe that the present area rep has really messed up, he has shown, he has demonstrated that it's not about the people of Mesopotamia but it's about him and it should never be about you, it is about the people that we represent. The manta of the people of the PUP is to serve the people and unfortunately for the people of Mesopotamia, the present, well he's no longer the area rep but the candidate for the UDP, or the leader, I don't know which one of them is the real leader of the UDP, but he I think has demonstrated that it's more about him, it's not about the people, he has not been looking out for them, trying to see what he can do for them but more to see how he can, how it could help him in effect because I think he has been an abysmal failure as the representative for Mespotamia division."

And Ellis shared the same sentiment. He explained that the residents all have horror stories about their former area rep. But with two UDP opponents, can he beat both?

Lawrence Ellis, PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
"This visit today is a clear indication that the leadership of the PUP is willing to work and is willing to take back Mesop. I'm working hard in this division everyday. The people of Mesop need to understand that there's no future under the UDP, they have been here for 46 years and this division is lacking in many ways so my presence here and the prime minister's presence here is a clear indication that the PUP is ready to take back Mesopotamia."

"The people are fed up, they are fed up with the present leadership and with the way how this Shyne Barrow disrespects them everyday. On a given, everybody in Mesop, if you talk to them, have a horror story about how he disrespects them."

Courtney Menzies:
"But do you think you can stand up again Lee Mark Chang?"

Lawrence Ellis, PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
"Oh yes because the division is going to go from red to blue, Lee Mark is still a member of the UDP and as a member of the UDP they are divided, they are split, he doesn't have any, he has nothing to offer the people in Mesop."