Reports Suggest PUP May Be Trying to Avoid Belize City Mayoral Convention

Reports have surfaced tonight suggesting that the People’s United Party may be attempting to avoid a contested mayoral convention in Belize City ahead of the 2027 Municipal Elections. Multiple sources have informed Love News that Belize City Councilor Eluide Miller was approached earlier today and asked to withdraw from the race for the PUP’s mayoral candidacy. However, as of news time, the party has not officially confirmed that such a request was made.  The reported development comes just days after Prime Minister John Briceño publicly praised the democratic tradition within the People’s United Party, saying that conventions allow delegates to decide who should represent the party. But if today’s reports prove accurate, questions are already being raised about whether that democratic process is being allowed to run its course.  Following reports of that alleged request, a number of Belize City councilors and party supporters took to social media expressing public support for Miller’s candidacy.  Councilor Kaya Cattouse reaffirmed her backing of Miller, stating that she was proud to stand beside him as the party’s next mayor. Councilor Sherwin Garcia also posted his support, declaring, “Let the 700 delegates decide,” while Councilor Edmund Kwan wrote that “Seniority doesn’t mean capability,” adding that he firmly supports Eluide Miller for the position.  Love News also spoke with an individual associated with the Allan Pollard camp, who confirmed hearing the same report circulating within party circles. However, that source was unable to independently verify whether the request had in fact been made.  Our newsroom reached out to both Eluide Miller and PUP Chairman Henry Charles Usher seeking comment. Up to news time, neither had responded to our requests for confirmation or denial.  This new development comes against the backdrop of comments made just last week by Allan Pollard Senior, who publicly insisted that the People’s United Party should endorse his son as its mayoral candidate. Pollard claimed that such a commitment had previously been made to his son by senior figures within the party.

Allan Pollard Sr., Father: “They asked him to step down the last term and he did what they asked him to do. This term they could have done the same thing and told Mr. Miller to step aside it’s not his turn but they decided to have a convention so we will have a convention. If they could have done the same thing for my son and my son stepped aside they could have told him he’s not ready at this time and this is Mr.Pollard’s turn but they decide that we’re going to have a convention so the convention is what we’re going to have. Let’s start the war. My son has three term experience. My son sits on so many boards. My son is ready for this. My son is raised by the city so my son knows exactly what the city needs. He was with the whole council was with Bernard all the way just due to Bernard is his son in law he decided that well he will do his thing for Mr.Miller. Which I will do the same thing but if he could vote and vouch and say that Mr.Pollard is a good person, Mr.Pollard does what he has to do and they don’t have any dirt on my son, my son has been there with no kind of dirt so they can’t pinpoint. The only thing my son has is his name not trying to get rich or nothing. He has his name and his name only.”

Reporter: Are you upset with PUP considering that they’re not asking Eluide to step aside ? 

Allan Pollard Sr., Father: “From my perspective, this is not from my son, yes I am mad. I am very mad because they asked my son to step down two different times and they could have done the same thing and told Mr.Miller to do the same thing that they did to Mr.Pollard. So I have to be mad. If I’m saying I’m not mad I’m telling a lie.”

Reporter: So you’re saying this is not about money but street talk is saying that Allan is only running because he wants to be paid off again to step down.

Allan Pollard Sr., Father:  “Allan has never been paid off. You could ask anybody in PUP if they ever paid Allan Pollard to step down. Allan Pollard never need any money. He grew up poor but we don’t need money and nobody can pinpoint, nobody from the PUP can pinpoint and say that they gave Mr.Pollard money to step down because we don’t need money. The only thing we have is our name and we could lift our head above water anytime and anywhere. We, just like his uncle Cordel Hyde, nobody can pinpoint any say anything about him the same way my son is carrying himself.”

With the party’s municipal convention drawing closer, all eyes will now be on whether the People’s United Party proceeds with a competitive convention as previously indicated, or whether efforts are made to settle the contest before delegates have an opportunity to cast their votes. Love News will continue to follow this developing story and will provide updates should official responses be received from the party or the candidates involved.