But, Price went from young radical to diligent nation builder and then senior statesman - and in a move kind of mirroring that evolution, about 15 years ago, the leaders of the PUP and UDP - Said Musa and Dena Barrow - had an informal pact, which suggested that on Independence Day - in their official addresses, they would go a little easy on the politics - and put the nation first.
But, in the past few years, our observation is that Briceno kind of abandoned that pact - and heading into Wednesday - we're almost certain Shyne Barrow will show no regard for it whatsoever.
We asked him about what he expects the tone to be on independence day and he said that criticism is fine as long as it's done respectfully:
Cherisse Halsall:
"I want to ask you about the 21st as it is approaching when you were in opposition you gave an adversarial speech on that day, do you expect the same of Shyne Barrow?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister Of Belize
"Well, I don't think I was giving adversarial speeches. I was just getting out the shortcomings of the government at that time and not at once, at no time I believe I was being disrespectful, um, the 21st is one day when we should come together as a people. It does not mean that we cannot point out our different views, our opposing views but we celebrate as a people. That is why, even when I was first elected in 1993 I remember a few people from my party back then said well we should be different separately, being a young politician at that time I felt that no Belize is, the 21st is one day we should leave party colors aside and we should celebrate as 1 so I used to walk the parades in Orange Walk even when the UDP was in charge of the town council and Central government I used to march at the front with them because this is one time we come togther. Likewise with the leader of the opposition. I do believe that he probably will point out shortcomings but there are ways of how you do that, um, and like I like to repeat and this is what Mr. Price used to always tell me. He said that when the opposition starts praising you sit back and think what stupid thing you have done. So I don't expect him to be out there throwing bouquets at us. But that is part of the democratic process."
