The UDP turned 49 today, but, right about now, it is a party in name only - because it's more like a wake than a party, and, for sure, no one's dancing!
Still, party leader Shyne Barrow made the media rounds to celebrate the party that has held power for 23 of Belize's 41 years of independence. He spoke to Jules Vasquez today about the UDP at 49:
Jules Vasquez
"Even though the party is at a low point right now, you feel there is still something to celebrate?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Certainly, we have to celebrate the fact that we are the winningness mass party in post-independence. We have won the most elections and we have to look at where we've come from in pre-independence where the PUP won all the elections and it was really a fight and a constant battle to gain the confidence of the people. So as we go through this re-integration, this reconfiguration after such a devastating loss at the polls, we have to learn that together we are stronger with our diverse viewpoints, with a very clorful set of personalities that see Belize maybe in different prisms, but have to remember that the common bond is what we have to focus on and that common bond is service to the people."
"There is a rhythm in politics in life where there are highs and lows and definitely we have to come to this point where we are and start from scratch, start anew."
But can the party really start anew when it is at war with its most senior parliamentarian in Patrick Faber? We asked Barrow about the historic state of division in the party and if it can ever be re-united:
Jules Vasquez
"Since the UDP had a split with the NABR in 1992, the UDP is at its most divisive stage since 1992 and this has happened under your leadership. In fact, your critics would say this is the hallmark of your leadership."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, I beg to differ, so I definitely concede that I have work to do. It has only been 6 months and I am in the midst of doing that work and in that work difficult decisions will have to be made."
Jules Vasquez
"As we stand here today at this 49th anniversary, statistically the UDP strongest candidate in the country, the only person who got more than 60% of the vote in the party's worst or second worst defeat ever, Patrick Faber is on the edge of the party. We don't know if he's coming back in or going out. This has to be a matter of some urgency for you to try and heal that your most senior parliamentarian is walking the line of perhaps leaving the UDP or being kicked out of the UDP."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, as you have recorded, I certainly have made genuine attempts to reconcile, to remedy and to take into consideration whatever grievances that senior member has had. We appreciate the many terms that the Hon. Faber have served and it is my prayer and my hope that wisdom will prevail, a sense of responsibility to the citizens of this nation, to the institution that has allowed Hon. Faber to win those many terms. I hope that sense of reverence and duty to the institution will prevail, because the leaders change, the area representatives changed, but the institution remains - its 49 years."
Jules Vasquez
"Some say it won't remain much longer with you at the helm. Some say that there is a genuine chance ta this point for a splinter group to take up the mantle of the shell of the former UDP."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, it happened with Sir Dr. Hon. Manuel Esquivel. It happened with Lindo. it's not the first time and again I am doing my very best."
