UDP Chairman Peyrefitte Acknowledges Party’s Challenges, Defends Against PUP Comparison

Expanding on the difficulties of opposition politics, Chairman Peyrefitte said that the People’s United Party (PUP) was once in the same position, trying to find its footing, while the UDP was in government. He conceded that the party is not currently at its best, but he does not feel the PUP should be used as the standard for party unity. 

Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Party Chairman: “We think only of the present but I repeat again and the PUP were out of power for the better part of twelve years suffering, there were elections where it was so bad in the PUP I remember in Dangriga there were internal forces where some people in the PUP were saying “Maybe we shouldn’t even challenge for the seat. Maybe we should just let the UDP take it.” We’re not at this stage yet. This is opposition. This is opposition politics and you have to go into the strength that you know you can be. But don’t look at the PUP now like for the last fifty years they’ve been so on top of this world and so perfectly intuned with the Belizean. No, no, no,no. History is very young. Four or five years ago Johnny Briceno wasn’t even the leader of the PUP. These things happen. As bad as it has been for the UDP it’s been much worse for the PUP. So I mean these things go how they go and the thing is to not be too emotional about it.”

On Sunday, the UDP’s National Party Council reaffirmed the August 2023 resolution to remain under the leadership of Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow, leading up to the 2025 General Elections.