Real Unity…Real Change!

Together we will build back our party, back to the beginning.  Sound the call, for I say to you now, throw open the big blue and white doors! Open the windows and let the sun shine in.  For it is the dawn of a new day.  A PUP for all and a time to sing again “Welcome, Welcome to the Party, PUP fi all ah we. – John Briceno (March 30, 2008)

Exactly two years ago, John Briceno was victorious at a convention held by the People’s United Party in the nation’s capital, Belmopan. He emerged as the new leader of the Party and on that day, March 30, 2008, committed to PUP supporters and to Belizeans that the PUP would rise again – united, strong and with one common purpose. Today that commitment is as strong as ever and the fight continues to ensure that the People’s United Party will return to Belmopan whenever the next general elections are called.

The road to rebuild the Party has been a rocky one. There can be no getting away from that. It has been a constant struggle to regain the confidence of the Belizean people after February 2008. The first step was to organize a National Executive which is representative of persons across this great nation – independent minds, opinionated thinkers and visionary members of the PUP all committed to the service of Belizeans. The next step was to rebuild executive committees across Belize, a blend of the stalwart older and wiser heads and the younger blood which is essential in any successful and viable Party.

Finally then, the Party was ready to re-emerge as an effective Opposition, tackling the issues which affect Belizeans each and every day; taking the Barrow administration to task for its misguided and vindictive policies and at every turn reassuring our supporters that we will be there for them every step of the way, fighting for them in the Courts or in the streets.

Is the Party more united today than it was two years ago? Perhaps it could better be said that the Party is today in a better position to achieve that unity which at times has seemed fleeting. Under the leadership of John Briceno, the PUP is stronger than it has been for a long time – that is for sure. The Barrow administration has realized that it will not be allowed to run unchecked over the rights of Belizeans, victimizing our people simply out of political prejudice. The Opposition is today an active one, an effective and energetic one. In fact, it is largely through the efforts of the Opposition that Belizeans are realizing the true substance (or lack thereof) of the United Democratic Party. It is because of the Opposition which has remained vigilant, that Belizeans are now taking the full measure of Barrow the man and Barrow the Prime Minister. Mr. Barrow has been examined by the Belizean people and has been found wanting, thanks to the efforts of the Opposition.

Can the Opposition do more for its people? Of course it can. The leader has at all times remained fully engaged in bringing together all the bright minds and energies of all PUPs. That is the measure of a leader – working to emphasize the strengths of its people and minimize the weaknesses. It has not been an easy task. There have been those who have criticized from afar and those who have criticized from up close. There have been those who have demanded inclusion and those who have demanded exclusion. The Party Leader has listened and has acted, but in all times has remained true to the words he spoke two years ago – ‘We are one Party, one family.’

As we pass the two year mark of this Barrow administration and of the leadership of John Briceno, the PUP is poised to win the next general elections. A claim like this would have been unthinkable in February 2008. Our supporters who had left us for whatever reason are coming back in droves because they have seen the real change in the Party and they have been given new hope. Every day on the streets people who voted for the UDP are realizing that they made a mistake and are ready to rectify that error NOW. People who have steadfastly claimed that the UDP is a one-term administration are now expressing doubts that the UDP will even make it to a complete term.

The PUP has risen like the phoenix from the ashes under the leadership of John Briceno. The United Democratic Party can never hope to match the intellect and skill and talent and drive of those who are willing to serve the Belizean people under the PUP. A PUP which is united and working with one concerted purpose can never be defeated. The Belize Times congratulates the Party Leader for remaining focused, strong and committed to service of our PUP supporters and all Belizeans. The march to Belmopan continues.

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