Michael Finnegan (Belizean politician)

Michael Finnegan
Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Mesopotamia
Assumed office
30 June 1993
Preceded by Curl Thompson
Personal details
Born Michael Myvett
c. 1951 (age 64–65)
British Honduras
(now Belize)
Nationality Belizean
Political party United Democratic Party (1973–present)
United Black Association for Development (1970–1972)
Residence Belize City, Belize
For other people named Michael Finnegan, see Michael Finnegan (disambiguation).

Michael Kwame Finnegan (born Michael Myvett)[1] is a Belizean politician and a member of the United Democratic Party. He is currently Minister of Housing and Urban Development in Prime Minister Dean Barrow's cabinet and a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Mesopotamia Electoral Division in Belize City. Finnegan hosts the television show Mek Wave and Lik Road.[2]

Career

Beginning in 1969 a teenaged Finnegan – then still known as Michael Myvett – was an anti-Vietnam War protestor affiliated with the Ad Hoc Committee for the Truth About Vietnam co-founded by future Prime Minister Said Musa. In 1970 Finnegan became a member of the United Black Association for Development, but by late 1972 had become estranged from UBAD president Evan X Hyde. Finnegan then became a political protege of Dean Lindo, an early UDP leader, and joined the UDP as an original member when the party was founded in 1973. Finnegan already had a reputation as a gifted street campaigner by this time. Finnegan worked as a UDP activist throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s.[1][3]

Finnegan was first elected to the Belize House of Representatives from the Belize City-based Mesopotamia constituency, a safe UDP seat, in 1993.[4] Finnegan was one of only two UDP House members re-elected in 1998 (current Prime Minister Dean Barrow was the other) and one of only three successful UDP candidates nationwide.[5] Finnegan has been re-elected with at least 60 percent of the vote in every election since.

In the Belize House Finnegan is noted for his lively, uncensored debate style as well as his liberal use of Belizean Creole.[6]

Family

Finnegan is the uncle of noted rapper Shyne (now Moses Michael Levi), whom he raised through much of the musician's childhood. Shyne is the child of Finnegan's sister, Frances Imeon Myvett, and Dean Barrow. Shyne was deported to Belize in 2009 after serving nearly a decade in prison in the United States due to his role in a 1999 nightclub shooting in New York City.[7]

Health

There had been speculation an ailing Finnegan may stand down at the 2015 general election. In March 2015 Finnegan told Tropical Vision Limited that he was "worn" and considering retirement. However, in September 2015 Finnegan confirmed he was running for re-election.[8] Former Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya may seek to succeed Finnegan in Mesopotamia should he stand down in the future.[9][10]

Finnegan was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2010.[11] He underwent spinal surgery in the United States in 2014.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 "Faber challenge to Gapi gets rougher", Amandala, 28 December 2012. (accessed 19 November 2014)
  2. ↑ "Biography", United Democratic Party website
  3. ↑ Hyde, Evan X, "From The Publisher" Amandala, 24 October 2008. (accessed 10 May 2015)
  4. ↑ General Elections 1993, Belize Elections and Boundaries Commission. (accessed 19 November 2014)
  5. ↑ General Elections 1998, Belize Elections and Boundaries Commission. (accessed 19 November 2014)
  6. ↑ "Finnegan gets nasty with Dolores in the House", Great Belize Television, 8 August 2013. (accessed 9 May 2015)
  7. ↑ "Shyne Released, Deported To Belize". Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Hon. Finnegan Gets A Jump On Competition", Tropical Vision Limited, 28 September 2015. (accessed 29 September 2015)
  9. ↑ "Finnegan Defends Use of G.O.B. Vehicle in U.D.P. Parade", Great Belize Television, 12 February 2015. (accessed 9 May 2015)
  10. ↑ "Rt. Hon Musa & Hon. Finnegan, Ready For The Road, But Not Ready To Retire", Tropical Vision Limited, 6 March 2015 (accessed 9 May 2015)
  11. ↑ "Healthy Living and Michael Finnegan talk Cancer", Great Belize Television, 17 May 2012. (accessed 9 May 2015)
  12. ↑ "Finnegan back in Belize following spinal surgery", Great Belize Television, 27 February 2014. (accessed 9 May 2015)


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