UDP Gathers for Pivotal Convention and Policy Shift

The United Democratic Party is on the brink of a major reset. When delegates gather for the long-awaited national convention, they won’t just be electing leaders. Six critical motions are on the table, including a proposal to expand the delegate base and the creation of a constitutional reform committee. Added to that are motions on youth, women, economic development, and the party’s policy platform, signals of an organization trying to modernize and reconnect. With as many as five hundred and twenty-one votes possible, everything hangs in the balance, even as Acting Chairman Alberto August steps aside, citing the heavy burden of leadership. For a party that insists Belize needs a strong opposition, this convention is a test of whether the UDP can emerge stronger, united, and ready to lead.

 

Alberto August, Acting Chairman, United Democratic Party

“There are six items that will be put to the convention. One is a proposal to amend the constitution to expand the delegate base of the party and then the other five deal with, for example, putting together what we call a constitution reform committee to propose amendments to the constitution as we move forward. There will be motion on youth, a motion on women, a motion on economic development and a motion on policy and platform. And then after that we go into the taking of the polls. So at maximum we can see a total of five hundred and twenty-one votes cast. That’s when you have one hundred percent participation. It can be less than that because, like I said, we do not have alternates for those persons sitting on the central executive committee of the party and those people sitting on the national convention. When we talk about national convention, we are talking about like the senators, the three senators, and the six members of the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council, including the mayor. Basically, we are ready, we are ready to go. This is long awaited resetting of the party and we are hoping from here that the party emerges stronger and more united because this country needs a viable opposition. You will notice that I am not offering myself for reelection to any of the positions within the party because the role of the chairman, or the vice chairman of the party, is a heavy load to carry. That is, of course, if you’re serious about really fulfilling the responsibility. It is an extremely heavy load to carry.”