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The Alliance for Democracy has declined press interviews at this time and announced a press conference for next week Monday.
But we did get comment from a sage political observer, Kareem Musa on the developments in the UDP. He expressed incredulity at the scale of the purge:
Kareem Musa, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"That is the entire nucleus of the United Democratic Party. Yes, it is, part of a nucleus that was shrouded in corruption and incompetence. But at the end of the day, that is their nucleus. And so I don't know if it is that Shyne Burrow is trying to form somewhat of a new direction for his party, but it's going to be quite difficult getting rid of the past."
Jules Vasquez:
"Are you concerned that because of the weakness of the UDP, we are seeing a consolidation of PUP seats, especially in the city?"
Kareem Musa, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"Yeah it is. It is of great concern because in any healthy democracy, there is the requirement to have a robust opposition. And, even if it is just three, five, seven representatives on the other side of the House at any given time, it is important that they are united, it is important that they are speaking from the very same song sheet, and that they are active, in terms of setting themselves as an opposition. And I don't feel, since 2020 that they have set themselves apart as any sort of opposition. I think you, Jules, on your morning beef, you're a great opposition, to the government than the UDP could ever be."
"It is something to be concerned about but with all things I'm sure that eventually the UDP will come together whether it's within the next year or so, that's left to be seen but I'm sure they will but again yes it's concerning because all Belizeans want a healthy democracy."
And while Musa is sure that the UDP will come back together - we're not so sure, they even tried therapy and the therapists called it quits!
A mediation team led by Reverend David Goff with membership of Laura Longsworth, Aldo Salazar, and Lindsay Garbut threw in the towel in frustration.
A note to both parties says, quote "given the recent events taking place, highlighted by the petition to remove the Party Leader, and the other public statements, we feel that we cannot continue the process. Effective mediation is contingent on the parties' willingness to compromise. We do not feel that that factor exists at present.
We therefore hereby inform you that by means of this correspondence, we are formally suspending our participation in the mediation process."
