United Democratic Party Celebrates 51 Years   

This past weekend, the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) celebrated its fifty-first anniversary, commemorating over five decades of dedicated service to Belize. Founded in 1973 through the collaborative efforts of the National Independence Party and the People’s Development Movement, the U.D.P. was established to create a formidable opposition to the then-dominant People’s United Party. The anniversary event shone a spotlight on the party’s significant contributions to Belize and honored its members for their unwavering efforts in fortifying the opposition. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The year is 1973, and Belize finds itself in desperate need of a robust opposition to the People’s United Party. The role of this opposition is crucial: to hold the government accountable and ensure the voices of the public are heard. In response to this need, the United Democratic Party (UDP) was founded, with Dean Lindo elected as its first leader. Remarkably, just one year later, the UDP secured six of the eighteen seats in the 1974 General Elections. Fast forward fifty-one years, and the party is now celebrating its legacy of accomplishments both as a previously elected government and as an opposition.

 

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P. (File: Sep 27th, 2022)

“There are certain countries where there is only one mass party, there is only a state party and for many decades in Belize the P.U.P. ruled this country. The different opposition parties could not muster enough seats in the House of Representatives to form government and it wasn’t until the amalgamation of the PDM, the Liberal Party and the National Independence Party which is an amalgamation of the National Party and the Honduran Independence Party that finally, in 1984 we were able, after independence to have a U.D.P. government.”

 

The U.D.P. paid homage to its forebearers, highlighting the works of the party’s first leader, Dean Lindo, and Sir Manuel Esquivel, of the Liberal Party, who served as the second prime minister of Belize under the UDP. The anniversary event brought together supporters from across the country, who were rewarded for their contributions to Belize in economic growth, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

 

Some of these awards paid tribute to the party’s founding leaders, such as the Philip Goldson Lifetime Achievement Award, that was given to Deputy Party Chairman, Alberto August. Also recognized was four-time Cayo North Area Representative, Salvador Fernandez, who received the Sir Manuel Esquivel Outstanding Minister Award. His son, Albert Fernandez, accepted on his father’s behalf. An award was also established in the party leader’s name. The Shyne Barrow Distinguished Service Award was bestowed upon the Chair of Membership Dianne Finnegan.

 

Other award recipients included Public Relations Officer, Shane Williams, who received the Youth Leader Award and Deputy Mayor of the twin towns San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Bernadette Fernandez, who was recognized with the Faith Babb Woman Leader Award. Party leader Shyne Barrow said that the U.D.P. has won the most General Elections in post-independence Belize. He maintains his stance that the party has done the most to develop Belize, stating that the country is better served by U.D.P. governments. In a statement, he says “we have within us the power to form the next Government of Belize once we stay focused and engaged with the people we want to serve. We shall continue to work hand in hand to strengthen and protect the Institution of the U.D.P. so that the Party can elect many more Governments to develop Belize”.