The United Democratic Party is gearing up for what could be a pivotal weekend. On Saturday, the party is set to host a National Party Council meeting right here at its Belize City headquarters, a gathering aimed at healing internal rifts and setting a clear path forward as the country’s main opposition. But unity may be easier said than done. The meeting is already stirring controversy, with First Deputy Leader Hugo Patt calling it illegitimate and clashing with Party Leader Shyne Barrow, who stepped down and later rescinded his resignation. Earlier this week, we brought you the back-and-forth between Patt and the UDP’s Vice Chairman, and we also heard from Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton on where she stands. This morning, News Five caught up with Vice Chairman Alberto August, who explained the purpose of the meeting and why some key figures won’t be getting an invite.
Alberto August, Vice Chairman, United Democratic Party
“Why are we doing this? We are right now at the raw stage of organizing our party. We are aware of some opposition out there who might even be protesting the meeting of the National Party Council on Saturday, and they are well within their rights. But what we are saying is that at this raw stage, it would be almost foolish if you invite the opposing elements of this party to a meeting at this point in time. You were there for the last meeting of the National Party Council, we never had this level of rift within the party and that meeting of the National Party Council, sir, as you are aware, did not even go beyond the reading of the agenda for that meeting. It ended up in a total disaster. The chairman had to immediately postpone the meeting. Total disaster. I have heard people saying, well if you want to be inclusive, bring these people together. We are not going to go anywhere at this raw stage in the unification process. So once we have agreed, once the National Party Council agrees to move forward in terms of resetting the party then several things happen.”