By Zoila Palma: Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow believes the United Democratic Party (UDP) has an opportunity to strengthen its position as the Opposition amid growing public criticism of the People’s United Party (PUP) administration.
However, he stressed that the importance of a stronger Opposition extends beyond partisan politics to the protection of Belize’s democracy.
Barrow, who led the UDP for years, said he hopes his party can use the public’s concerns about governance to build momentum and become a more effective constitutional check on the government.
He said, “I wish that the United Democratic Party will be able to take advantage of this, to strengthen its own efforts at trying to deepen our democracy by trying to act as a proper constitutional check and balance against the incumbents.”
He also appealed to members of the public, including successful business people and those benefiting financially from the country’s economy, to recognize the importance of having an effective Opposition.
Barrow warned that a weakened Opposition could leave the government believing it faces little meaningful political accountability. He said, “It cannot be a good thing when the opposition is hobbled and when, therefore, the government of the day believes that it can act with impunity.”
Despite his longstanding loyalty to the UDP, Barrow framed his appeal as a matter of national interest rather than simply a political contest.
He said he hopes the party will receive the public’s support as it attempts to strengthen its role in the country’s democratic system.
Barrow said, “I am a UDP, but first and foremost, I am a Belizean.”
The post Barrow urges UDP to capitalize on PUP setbacks for sake of democracy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow believes the United Democratic Party (UDP) has an opportunity to strengthen its position as the Opposition amid growing public criticism of the People’s United Party (PUP) administration. However, he stressed that the importance of a stronger Opposition extends beyond partisan politics to the protection of Belize’s democracy.
The post Barrow urges UDP to capitalize on PUP setbacks for sake of democracy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
