And while the Government is opening borders - the UDP needs the door to remain open at Belize House in Belmopan. That's the Governor General's residence where the opposition has been changing parliamentary leaders of the opposition at an unprecedented pace. There have now been four changes at that apex post in the last 15 months. And there could be another in the next two months.
But, we won't get ahead of ourselves. We were there in Belmopan today when Shyne Barrow got sworn in for the second time since June of last year. Jules Vasquez reports:
For the second time in 7 months - Moses "Shyne" Barrow was sworn in as the leader of the opposition. That's three Leaders of the Opposition in just over half a year - a succession of political personalities trodding up the hill to the Governor Generals residence - so many that GG Froyla Tzalam might want to install a revolving door. For sure, it is unprecedented in history - and even this one might not last more than 56 days if he doesn't win the upcoming leadership convention.
Jules Vasquez
"You're being sworn in today, how this looks to the outsider? It makes UDP looks like you all are playing political musical chairs. It looks farcical Shyne, that you all have 3 leaders of the opposition in less than a year. Will you still be leader of the opposition after the convention on March 27th?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I do believe so. I have the majority of support in the house of representatives on the opposition benches, I have the majority of support within the 31 constituencies as we've seen with the massive endorsement from the caucus for change."
And while Shyne took the oath today - has his predecessor formally resigned from the post?:
Jules Vasquez
"But he in fact resigned? Is there a formal resignation?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"His resignation is effective yesterday and we have moved on."
Jules Vasquez
"But you haven't seen a letter of resignation per say?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"I didn't see a letter; you would have to speak to the interim party leader Senator Micael Peyrefitte. It is the normal growing pains, it is the normal transition, we have to rebuild, we have to reform."
Jules Vasquez
"One wonders how did the UDP get like this? Your father was the leader of the UDP not 16-18 months ago and how is it that the party is now in such urgent need of complete rebuilding. Is it a indictment of Dean Barrow's leadership?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"I don't believe so. I believe it is an indictment of those who refused to accept the will of the majority."
And while he lavishly heaps scorn on Faber, this is a man that Shyne Barrow once supported - he said he was hoodwinked:
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"Nobody wanted Faber to lead the party."
Jules Vasquez
"You wanted him Shyne, you were out there campaigning for him."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"I gave him a chance, because their campaign is so aggressive. They have a way of getting in the comments sections on Channel 7 and with the robots and with this propaganda that would really take you into their planet and have you believed all that they say, but we saw in the general elections that that is not so, we only won 6 seats. We saw again in the municipal elections where we only won a mayor and a councillor. And again, the writing was on the wall. We saw again after being given the opportunity by people like me, against my good wisdom gave him the opportunity and he failed on many fronts."
And now the scrutiny will be on the younger Barrow - and while today's swearing in would seem to give him the early edge -it will be two months of intensive campaigning and excessive attacks:
Jules Vasquez
"Your opponent's attack on you is that well if domestic violence is bad for Patrick Faber, it's bad for you, we can't have a double standard."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"Well, I think it's bad for the Hon. Panton to stoop so low when history would record that when she had the opportunity to stand up for all G.B.V. victims, when she had the opportunity to stand up for women, when she had the opportunity to stand up for the United Democratic Party, when she had the opportunity to stand up for the country of Belize [which] desperately needs a viable opposition, she refused. She stood up for the accused. She made a deal with the accused who, unlike me, that was not the first instance. That was the third instance that we knew of and she chose to be an apologist, she chose to be a sympathizer rather than stand up. When I lead the charge in the recall along with the caucus for change, I begged the honorable Panton to be the Leader of the Opposition. We begged her to take up the position so that we can show the country this is who the U.D.P. is and let us move on and start that rebuilding process around her. I would have been her party whip, I would have done everything. All of us would have come around her, she chose Patrick over principle. When those who should be or would be fall asleep waiting for the dawn of entitlement, those of us that toiled tirelessly in the midnight hours for what is best for the country, what is best for the party, they step up and that is what I am doing now."
And while Shyne's got his LOO lyrics together - he'll have to update his customized license plate:
Jules Vasquez
"Will you now identify as the 13th and 15th leader of the opposition? Its you who invented this bizarre... How will your letterhead change?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"Obama is the 44th president of the United States and Biden is the 46th, but those titles are just for historical context."
Jules Vasquez
"What will your letterhead say Shyne?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"Leader of the opposition, not 13th and 15th."
For avoidance of doubt we stress that Shyne Barrow is only Leader of the Opposition - the role he will play at Friday's House meeting - an don't party leader - that will be determined at a convention on March 27th.
