PUP Loses Another Standard Bearer, Cordel Hyde Steps Down
On Friday January 27th Anthony Mahler informed the P.U.P’s Secretariat of his decision to step down as the party’s Standard Bearer for the Caribbean Shores Division. In his letter Mahler explained that he was stepping down due to personal reasons. And today the P.U.P lost another of its Standard Bearers for the March 7th General Elections. In a press release issued this morning, Lake I Area Representative Honorable Cordel Hyde informed the media that he has decided not to contest the upcoming General Elections. In the release Hyde states and we quote “Last night I informed my PUP Lake I committee that I will not be contesting the upcoming general elections mainly because of a sudden illness in my immediate family. My son Khalid was diagnosed in New York Monday night with a cancer called Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is curable, but he will need the full support of his immediate family.” End of quote.
According to Hyde retiring from the political arena was not an easy decision for him, yet its one he had to take. In the release, Hyde, who has won three straight terms as Lake I Area Representative, also talks about his relationship with the P.U.P’s leadership. He states and we quote “Admittedly, the relationship with my party’s leadership over the years has not been the best. Sometimes the internal tension spilled over into the public’s domain with me not attending some party and parliamentary events, but never with me publicly commenting or condemning.” End of quote.
In the release Hyde also thanks his constituents for supporting him through think and thin. Hyde ends his release by stating and we quote “Scripture says there is a time for everything under the sun. I believe my time has come. For me, this campaign has come to an end.” End of quote.
Today when Party Leader Francis Fonseca spoke to the press about Hyde’s resignation he stated that he was disappointed but at the same time respected Hyde’s decision.
Francis Fonseca- Leader of the Opposition
“I got a call from Cordel Hyde and he called to inform me that after having met with his family and his Lake Independence Committee last night, he had decided that no longer remain as the standard bearer for Lake Independence for the People’s United Party and will not be contesting the next general elections, he was very frank with me, we had a very cordial, respectful discussion and he was very open with me and I believe he has said this in his public press release, he also sent me a letter as well and indicated that the primary reason for his decision to stand down was really a personal one having to do with his sons illness, I respect Cordels’ decision and he has always been a very, very outstanding area representative for the People’s United Party, very successful representative for the People’s United party never lost an election in Lake Independence , a three term representative so we were looking forward to a convincing victory in Lake Independence under his leadership, so obviously we are disappointed it is a blow to the party but we have to be decisive, we have to move on, we have to find someone who is credible and who is acceptable to the People’s United Party Lake Independence Committee and the people of Lake I and I hope he can do that very quickly.”
And despite the hurdle, the P.U.P Leader says the party must move forward.
Francis Fonseca- Leader of the Opposition
“Obviously it is a blow to the party and obviously it is a set back to the party but I have had the opportunity to talk today with some 25 of the standard bearers who are contesting the elections and all of them have their chin up, they have concerns as I do that the effect this would have on the moral of the party as you rightly put it, and the view of the general public has on the party and certainly we have to be concerned about that, but all of them have their chins up and all of them have said to me this morning and I am very encourage about what they’ve said and this gives us reasons to dig deeper, to work harder, to fight even more and we understand what is at stake.”
Knowing how close Hyde and Mark Espat are it is widely speculated that the Albert Area Representative will also step down. While Fonseca says he hopes that does not happen the party is prepared.
Francis Fonseca- Leader of the Opposition
“There is some level on anticipation regarding this decision and I’ve heard from other people that he have been considering it, he and I had an exchange last week that I think reflected some of that thinking, and I knew about his sons’ illness and I knew how grave the matter was and how conflicted he felt about it, so yes I think certainly for the past ten days or so I personally have been anticipating this decision. I have to expect that that may very well happen it has not happen as yet but I have to anticipate that it may happen; certainly I got no indication from Cordel Hyde that there is any direct relationship or contact and with respect to this decision with Albert, but certainly, I will certainly have to anticipate that may happen and we have to prepare for that eventuality so if that happens likewise we would have to take deliberate action, I certainly hope it does not happen, I would very much like Mark Espat to be a part of our team 31 going to the elections and again he has been a very strong and effective representative for the people of Albert.”
Cordel Hyde served the people of Belize under the P.U.P for 18 years. CTV3 News understands that several people have offered themselves for the available position. One of the names that have been mentioned is that of Yolanda Shakron. But according to Fonseca the party has come to no decision as yet.
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