Political Power Tests PUP’s Founding Principles 76 Years Later

There was plenty to celebrate as the People’s United Party marked seventy-six years in Belizean politics, but the anniversary also came with a sober warning from within. The party has travelled a long road from the grassroots movement led by George Price to its present-day position at the summit of political power. Its leaders say the PUP remains guided by the same people-centered vision, but some party members argue that staying true to that legacy will require renewed attention to supporters on the ground. As the celebrations continue, the message is clear: if the PUP wants to remain on top, it cannot lose touch with the people who helped put it there. News Five’s Shane Williams reports.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

Seventy-six years after Belizeans answered George Price’s call to action, the People’s United Party returned to Memorial Park on Saturday to celebrate its journey and reflect on its future. Today, the PUP commands the national government and nearly every municipality, placing it at the peak of its political power. But that dominance also raises an uncomfortable question: has the party remained faithful to the people-centered principles on which it was founded?

 

John Briceño, Party Leader, People’s United Party

“Let us not forget  that seventy-six years ago, George Price and Gwen Lizarraga and many of our founding leaders of the PUP started this great movement, a movement that has been working for the people of this country from way back as 1950. And our party has never stopped working for the people of this country.”

 

In recent weeks, critics inside and outside the party have questioned whether the PUP remains committed to social justice, a cornerstone of George Price’s political vision. This has seemingly caused a divide amongst the ranks, but Prime Minister Briceno says the “U” in PUP still holds strong.

 

John Briceño

“I know there’s one word that’s important in our name of our party, and that is united. Many of us have been talking that we are the People’s United Party and once we are united, there is no force that can beat the People’s United Party. And I can tell you that we have been working together. And yes, from time to time, we may have different ideas and different views but that does that mean that we are not united. Because we are the People’s United Party.”

 

Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde offered a more sobering reminder. Hyde says being at the zenith can create its own danger if those in power forget who elevated them to that height.

 

Cordel Hyde, Deputy Leader, PUP

“ We have to celebrate the people that put we in a power. This occasion weh part, we give awards to the people that put in the work and put we in government and make we be ministers and make we be area rep and make we be mayors and councilors. We can’t do this without unu. We can’t do this without unu. You know, ministers like feel like they’re God’s gift to the world, right? Yeah, we kinda get swell-headed and carried away sometimes but da unu da God’s gift to the world. Da unu make it happen? Da unum ek we, we and we can’t forget that.”

 

That message was especially relevant as the PUP used Saturday’s gathering to launch its municipal campaign for March 2027. Eastern Caucus Leader Anthony Mahler challenged delegates to ignore the distractions and focus on working towards victory in March.

 

Anthony Mahler, Eastern Caucus Leader, PUP

“Today we launch our campaign towards March 2027  for nine municipalities, we will do battle. We will work. That’s the only way we shall win and conquer. If we work every day, if we stay connected to our people every single day.”

 

To emphasize this point, the party once again acknowledged those stalwarts from each constituency whose years of service to their communities embody the kind of grassroots politics the party says must continue. They were recognized with the George Price Service to the People Awards because while political power can be won at the ballot box, keeping it requires staying connected to the people who put you there.  Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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