U.D.P. Celebrates its Fiftieth Anniversary

The United Democratic Party is celebrating a milestone today as it turns fifty.  The political organization was founded on September twenty-seventh, 1973, as an amalgamation of the National Independence Party and the People’s Development Movement.  The establishment of the U.D.P. was a response to an otherwise weak political opposition in those days, against the People’s United Party.  In 1974, Dean Lindo, former head of the People’s Development Movement was named U.D.P. party leader, following general elections that year.  Today, party leader Shyne Barrow acknowledged those who came before him in advancing the development of the organization.

Shyne Barrow

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.

“The United Democratic Party celebrates our fiftieth anniversary and I would just like to thank all of my forbearers, especially those still alive.  Right Honorable Dean Barrow, Honorable Henry Young, Honorable Michael Finnegan, Honorable Faith Babb and all of the forbearers, people like Elodio Aragon Sr., in memory, Ruben Campos, and just all of those warriors and stalwarts.  Miss Contreras, Senator Contreras from Benque, all of those stalwarts that have given their all to the UDP so that we could have been the winningest party in post-independence history and a party that accomplished the impossible by unseating the PUP who had held power for about thirty years.  And so, we saved our democracy and we will continue to fight to preserve our democracy and give the Belizean people a viable alternative as they grapple with the struggles of life.”