Between late 2003 and early 2004, when the UDP was really floundering, this newspaper tried to advise them, because of our feeling that a strong Opposition party was vital to the health of Belize?s democracy. Wednesday, March 1, changes that whole scenario. The UDP is now in the driver?s seat and needs no advice from us, or from anyone, for that matter.
Recently the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Dean Barrow, informed that a UDP national convention is imminent. Amidst the celebration of Wednesday?s glorious victory, there will be UDP regional leaders who will feel that their hand has been strengthened within the party. Such leaders include Cayo?s Salvador Fernandez and Belmopan?s John Saldivar. We have yet to see the statistical breakdown of constituency performances in Belize City on Wednesday, so we can?t say if Pickstock?s Wilfred Elrington, for instance, will grow in stature. Port Loyola?s Boots Martinez, for sure, will be a powerhouse in a UDP national convention, as Mesopotamia?s Michael Finnegan always is.
Amongst the new Belize City councilors, Laura Esquivel?s popularity with voters was confirmed in an impressive way. Hyacinth Latchman was second to her in votes received, and this was a mild surprise. In the absence of any other explanation, we have to ascribe this to a woman?s lobby in the old capital which contributed to the fact that women candidates were the top three vote getters amongst the new UDP councilors, while two of the top three PUP candidates were women. (Carolyn Trench?Sandiford was the leading PUP candidate by a clear margin.)
Non-partisan Belizeans generally breathed a sigh of relief at the UDP victory. The PUP was very much out of control. But Mr. Barrow will have to orchestrate his party?s celebration in a really skillful way, because the PUP is seriously wounded but unquestionably alive. It is not clear what are the UDP?s policies apart from a repeated commitment to honest government. The UDP cannot, in other words, become static and sit on Wednesday?s laurels. The Belizean electorate is sophisticated and cynical.
The most important aspect of Wednesday?s victory for the UDP is that the big campaign financiers will have to take serious notice and give them respect. Two years, at most, from general elections, momentum is now definitely on the red?s side.