Members of the People's United Party breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday last when word came out that delegates from across the country had reached a consensus. For too long, members and supporters of the 'grand old party" have been kept in limbo, waiting and hoping for a sign that those at the top could work out their differences, bury their hatchets and get on with the task at hand.
The hard cold reality is that the United Democratic Party have been failing miserably at governance but with a splintered and unfocused opposition, they have been able to move from weak to weak with nary a dissenting bleat. We have seen that we cannot rely upon a seemingly infiltrated, compensated and castrated media to hold this administration to task.
When word broke last Friday that five of the six PUP members of parliament had paid Johnny Briceńo a visit in what appeared to be a show of unity against, a few persons became rather nervous. I must admit that I was in that number. While it must certainly be obvious by now that I consider the PUP the better party for Belize, it can be no less evident that I would not be inclined to support any "Zinc Fence" controlled PUP.
If a challenge to Briceńo's leadership was to come, it would be from one of two sources. Freetown representative Francis Fonseca who enjoys the support of the so-called old guard or Mark Espat, whose support comes primarily from the Zinc Fence and Channel Seven. In the end, Espat's downfall might very be the very source which he considered his strength. Belizeans are quite wary of the strong influence that Evan Hyde and his Zinc Fence sub-culture have over Mr. Espat. Mark Espat, and Hyde's son Cordell, have become practically inseparable and generally are known to speak with one voice. Looming at all times over the two is the ever Machiavellian and malignant influence of Father X. That association makes many people nervous and while, yes we all read what the man writes, many are opposed to his divisive ways and racist and bigoted policies. Belize is just too small to be perpetually divided and pitted against itself.
Apparently, that is also the message sent to and heeded by those persons in the upper echelon of the People's United Party. A house divided against itself cannot stand and our people have grown weary of the in-house fighting.
The PUP emerged from last week's National Party Council (NPC) with renewed vigour and an urgent sense of purpose. Unite the party and move forward to the ultimate goal of a true restoration of Belize. Delegates from across the country rose in unison to declare their support for Johnny Briceno and to demand a united and inclusive "big tent" approach to the looming task ahead.
For the first time in a long while, party supporters believe that an end to the bitter and damaging differences are in sight. The fear of the five parliamentarians, who seemed mostly concerned that Party Leader Johnny Briceňo was planning to ignore the constitution of the party and call a snap-election, was allayed and while they did not attend the NPC, there is no indication that any protestation is at hand.
A press release from party headquarters assured that "The National Executive of the PUP also met on special session on Monday, August 30, 2010 to discuss the implementation of the decisions made by the NPC and to ensure that the rules and procedures used to conduct the special convention were constitutional and would meet the transparency and accountability promised by the Party Leader, Honourable John Briceño."
There might yet be mischief afoot from those in whose interest disunity is preferred, but Johnny Briceno has pulled a masterful chess move. To cry foul and pretend that enough time was not given for a challenge is unfair since everyone knew that a convention was due from as long as two years ago. With his latest manoeuvring, Briceno has proven that he can play in these big leagues and it is time for all to put their differences aside and close ranks behind the leader and move forward in the best interest of progress.
Our system of democracy cries out for a strong opposition and the over half of our population that support the PUP deserves proper representation. The UDP have been given an opportunity and have failed miserably. It is time to put competent and hard-working individuals back in Belmopan and to put this wayward train back on track. We owe it to ourselves, to our children and most of all to our country. May GOD bless Belize!
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Source: The Belize Times
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