Posted: Tuesday, October 22, 2024. 2:20 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The United Democratic Party (UDP), founded on September 27, 1973, has long been a cornerstone of Belizean politics, established as a major opposition force against the People’s United Party (PUP).
The merger of the National Independence Party, the People’s Development Movement, and a new Liberal Party gave rise to the UDP, which has since seen significant electoral successes.
But today, the party faces internal struggles and rifts as the Alliance for Democracy which includes notable “former members of the party” held a national convention on Sunday dubbing it a “Unity convention.”
Despite the outpour of supporters and delegates supporting a motion to recall the present party leader, the party issued a statement calling the convention unconstitutional and called out the Alliance for causing “confusion.”
Meanwhile, Tracy Panton alleges that there cannot be confusion since the delegates are the same delegates who supported UDP motions in August,2023.
Panton also explained that delegates are sworn in for 2 years.
Panton thanked delegates and say that “their voices were heard.”
The UDP’s current leadership has been marred by accusations of “dictatorial” tendencies, leading to internal discord that threatens the party’s cohesion.
The UDP Chairman has reiterated that the UDP leadership remains the same with Shyne Barrow as UDP leader and the leadership executive and that the party is focused on winning 16 seats in the next general elections.
And, Corozal North area representative and first Deputy Leader of the United Democratic Party Hugo Patt has distanced himself from Sunday’s Alliance for Democracy convention in Belize City.
“I continue to serve as the duly elected 1st Deputy Party Leader and a member of the National Executive and leadership team, alongside Party Leader Hon. Shyne Barrow, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte and Deputy Chairman Alberto August elected at a National Party Convention held on August 13, 2023,” Patt said.
As this unfolds within the UDP, on-the-ground supporters and the “base” are hopeful that there will be REAL unity soon.
Given the severity of this situation, one would expect that some form of intervention would have been undertaken by now to prevent the party’s internal collapse.
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The post UDP struggles and rifts: Part 3 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, October 22, 2024. 2:20 pm CST. By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The United Democratic Party (UDP), founded on September 27, 1973, has long been a
The post UDP struggles and rifts: Part 3 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
