Businessman Challenges Opposition Leader in Mesopotamia Constituency Bid

Businessman Lawrence Ellis says he’s going to give the Leader of the Opposition a run for his money in the Mesopotamia constituency. On Friday, Ellis submitted his standard bearer application to the People’s United Party to run in the Belize City division. The area, a historic UDP stronghold, is currently represented by the Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Come 2025, however, Ellis confidently stated that the voters will be switching over to his side of the political divide. He explained to Love News that he has deep roots in the area and has already begun making rounds in the community. 

While Ellis is hopeful that he’ll be able to beat Barrow, he may first have to contest members of his party. So far, Ellis is the only person to apply to represent the PUP in Mesopotamia, but the window application remains open until May 24, which means that he may see some challengers. We asked him if he’d gotten any word from the PUP about a possible endorsement and if he believed the party would back him. 

In the last elections, the PUP was represented by Candice Miller, the current Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan). Ellis says he’s reached out to Pitts for her support but is yet to hear back.