The Big Picture

Last Monday I was invited by Ms. Maureen Leslie, the Chairman of the Belmopan PUP executive to join them as they invited new members to strengthen their local executive.

Every member of that executive will tell you that the task of rebuilding and strengthening the PUP in Belmopan is a challenging one. Our supporters explained that most people in Belmopan are either working directly for the government or have a family member that works for them and people are scared of political victimization, something that seems to have become a policy in this UDP administration.

Never in the history of our young democracy have Belizeans experienced the viciousness of any government as they are doing today under the UDP. It is so bad that many Belizeans are afraid to be seen in the company of the PUP leaders. They are afraid of losing their jobs, their scholarships or losing their house lots.

Of course there are other challenges facing the PUP Belmopan executive; one of the most difficult is uniting the different groups of PUP supporters in the area. Over the years as different personalities have emerged in the area, they have managed to attract loyalty which has not been passed on to their successors.

This all started in 2004, after the untimely death of Agripino Cawich. Since then the PUP in Belmopan has been struggling to work in a united and cohesive manner and finally, things are starting to change for the better.

At Monday’s meeting it was most encouraging to see past and current leaders meeting together in a spirit of unity. Each leader who was present made a pledge to unite, to support the work of the PUP Belmopan committee and to fight this vindictive UDP government. They recognize that our country comes before any differences and that support must be given to Ms. Leslie as the Chairman of the PUP executive.

When we look at the PUP at the national level, we see that what is happening in Belmopan as it relates to people’s fears is not unique. Belizeans all over are still afraid of this UDP Administration, but as the UDP nears its mid-term, their honeymoon is ending.  Belizeans are starting to talk up once again and the fear is being replaced by disappointment and frustration.

Every day we hear Belizeans calling the talk shows complaining about the corruption, mismanagement and gross negligence of the UDP government. Belizeans continue to complain about the government’s inability to build a bridge at Kendal. They are complaining about the Ministry of Health’s incompetence in dealing with the dengue fever outbreak and of course they complain that their area representatives are missing in action.

Yet while Belizeans are complaining and are clearly fed up with this UDP Administration, we in the PUP must also follow the example of our supporters in Belmopan. We need to accept that the best way for us to defeat the UDP is together.  We will win if we unite as one PUP. If we in the PUP accept that notion that Belizeans are suffering, then it must be our expectation that as PUPs we must once again lead the charge to save Belize and do what is necessary to move this country forward again.

There may be a few dissenting voices within the PUP; there have and always will be dissenting voices, that is democracy, but let us not ignore the big picture. We have to keep moving forward understanding that our Party belongs to the people and that all of us who call ourselves PUP are called to serve, especially the needy.

Long live the People’s United Party!

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