Former Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is weighing in on the ongoing internal rifts within the United Democratic Party (UDP). During his appearance on OYE today, Bradley warned that the party’s disunity is hurting Belize’s democracy and robbing the public of a real alternative to the current government.
“I’m hopeful that the United Democratic Party could get it together and the party could emerge unified on the one leader. And I’m also disheartened because within the democratic space you need an opposition,” Bradley said.
He added that Belize’s two-party system is vital for healthy democracy and accountability, but he believes the UDP is failing to deliver that right now. “You need two vibrant, well organized, robust parties that offer people a division. And it was obvious in the last election that we didn’t really have that choice. And when you don’t have that choice, you don’t really have a spirited public debate about options and where we want to move the country forward,” he explained.
He also pointed out that the lack of a strong formal opposition in the National Assembly cripples the checks and balances of governance. “You need a formal opposition in the centers of government so in the National Assembly, in the house meetings and the Senate, that can get access to information that is there when legislation is being passed, and that can put that perspective to represent a different voice. And without that, our democracy is really crippled,” Bradley said.
Bradley made it clear that the UDP’s current infighting distracts from its real mission: to present Belizeans with a meaningful alternative. “All of this is noise. No one cares about that. Get it together and lead a vision for the country that offers people a viable option to move the country forward.”
On Saturday, the UDP held its National Party Council meeting in Belize City. The gathering aimed to reinstate expelled or suspended members and address internal issues, but tensions flared when Patrick Faber, former party leader and current senator, entered uninvited.
Chairman Mike Peyrefitte accused Faber of disrupting the session, forcing the group to continue voting online via WhatsApp. The main resolution seeks to reinstate all affected members except Faber, whom Peyrefitte called “disrespectful.” Faber argued he did not need an invitation and claimed his expulsion was ruled illegal.