Brison to run as #1 with UP, given full leadership

GREAT BAY — Member of Parliament Rolando Brison on Sunday evening told The Daily Herald that he will contest the upcoming Parliamentary Elections with the United People Party (UP) in the #1 position and as new leader of the green party.

The move has been accepted and approved by the board of the UP and received the blessing of former party leader and founder Theo Heyliger. Brison made his decision after meeting with political parties this past week.

Brison began his stint in the political arena with the UP as part of the party’s marketing team. While in college he also served as an intern with Heyliger who was Commissioner of Tourism & Economic Affairs at the time was.

Brison thanked the UP board and Heyliger for entrusting him with full leadership of the party and for the confidence shown in him during their discussions. He said it became very evident very quickly that the UP party would be a good fit for him and his progressive views for St. Maarten. He said the decision to leave his former party was not an easy one and neither was the decision on his new political home.

Most importantly, he noted, “The party has a clear direction. And in establishing that clear direction the UP accept the an unfortunate reality that our people have lost faith in their government and the party must be focused on how to regain that through an all inclusive and approach and effective representation. We will be clear in identifying what our goals and priorities are and how we want to achieve them. And then actually deliver.”

“All I want to do is work. I love working for our people. I love doing research and I believe our people deserves effective representation in Parliament,” he said, adding that the UP will field a dynamic list for the January 9 Parliamentary elections.

Brison said his core values have always been to put St. Maarten first and put hard work in what I do and this will not change with the UP. “I am committed to providing the people of St. Maarten, not just those who vote for me, with a high level of representation and effective service. I cannot take up a seat in Parliament and when the time comes tell the people sorry, I have nothing to report on. Or sorry, I didn’t do anything to improve your quality of life. I believe I have shown exactly the opposite. I also look forward to continue working with all members of Parliament in the best interest of St. Maarten.”

The MP said his ethical responsibility to all citizens is to do whatever he can as an elected representative to improve their quality of life and restore their trust in their government. “Each of us has a responsibility to our people find a way to do better. I assure the people of St. Maarten that during the course of this campaign the UP will be clear in its direction for St. Maarten and will remain committed to putting our people first.