And so there is a new Prime Minister tonight; he is Dean Barrow, the fourth man to hold the job since independence and the second UDP. Barrow was sworn in this afternoon at official ceremonies at Belize House in Belmopan. 7NEWS was there.
[Barrow Greeting Supporters]
By the time the Prime Minister designate Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow arrived at the Belize House, supporters and well-wishers had already lined the driveway that leads to the Governor General’s residence where he was officially welcomed by Sir Colville Young.
[Colville Young Greeting Dean Barrow]
Mr. Barrow was then officially sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Belize.
Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“I Dean Oliver Barrow do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance
to Belize and will uphold the constitution and the law and that I will conscientiously impartially and to the best of my ability discharge my duties as the Prime Minister of Belize and do right to all manner of people without fear or favor, affection or ill will so help me God.”
[Barrow Signing Documents]
Sir Colville Young,
“I know the time for speeches has already passed but permit me to say something about the expression imagine the possibilities. I think the time has gone for imagining, it is now time for realizing the possibilities that have been promised and I am sure the whole country joins with me in wishing you all the best in that difficult arduous task over the next 5 years. Once again I congratulate you and your winning team and indeed I congratulate the whole country on their once again demonstrating the strength of our democracy in transferring power peacefully from one party to another. Congratulations Belize.”
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“Please allow me to thank you for having graciously agreeing to do this ceremony this early. It is one that is for transition and for certainly and thank you for your kind heart on this occasion. I join you in congratulating the entire country on the fact that we have, as you put it, been able to work our democratic process so completely flawlessly. I want to promise to you excellency and to all our countrymen and women that I will do my very best to perform in accordance with the oath that I just took. And if I do that, I think that I will have done well.”
Following the swearing in ceremonies, Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow then left the GG’s residence. By that time however hundreds of Belizeans who had traveled across the country had gathered outside to meet the nation’s new leader.
