And while the UDP tussle in Belmopan...let's just say that brand of petty party politics not what George Price had in mind when he said "nation building is a task for giants."
As we get ready to celebrate George Price's Birthday with a national holiday on Monday - we look back at a story we did in September - focussing on the early 60's when Price was not yet the Father of the Nation. At that time, he was Premier Price in his prime, a young, outspoken anti-colonialist and strident nationalist fighting to get Belize from under the yoke of colonialism. The footage of that era was taken from a recently re-discovered Canadian film named, "Belize: End of the World" - and Jules Vasquez looked at some vintage moments:
Belize - then British Honduras - attained self government on December 31st, 1963 - and all these PUP supporters gathered outside of the building we now know as the Courthouse - but what was then the colony's Assembly chamber? They hailed the transition to self government - but inside the Chamber, the relentless Premier George Price goaded Governor Peter Stallard by talking about the next step, independence:
Premier George Price
"Cabinet ministers, members of the assembly and the people of the country are grateful to our governor His Excellency Sir Peter Stallard often referred to by me as the governor of independence."
Applause in the chamber but a stony silence on the throne from the British Governor and Chief Justice.
Outside, the crowds demonstrated their support with PUP signs and watched as the governor slid away with his security escort in tow.
Price's time to talk to them would come on the rostrum at the public meeting:
Premier George Price
"...These 13 years shouting self government now, but we should stop shouting self government now and begin to shout independence now. That is the lecture. So that is the battle cry now, self government is a fact. Its just that we have to put into effect. But then we go on, we dont stand still, we are not stagnant, we are moving, we are dynamic, we are going now to independence - the road to independence."
As this never before seen footage shows - the then 44 year old Price - 13 years into the nationalist movement - held a rapt audience of loyal followers in his hands - they seemed to hang on every word - wearing his customary guayabera their leader seemed luminous set against the night sky a mesmerizing moment captured in stunning black and white film:
Premier George Price
"We, in building a nation will need 3 tools; a flag, the name of a country` and a national anthem. PUP - all the way. Que Viva Belice."
And while he spoke of Independence - it would be another almost two decades before it was realized - on September 21st 1981 - Price finally had the last of those three tools - a flag which was proudly hoisted, as the Union Jack came down for the last time in Belize.
The footage was captured as part of a 30 minute British documentary named, "Belize: End of the World" directed by Peter Davis and released in 1964.
Price was born on January 15th, 1919.
