United Democratic Party (Belize)
Encyclopedia
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize
, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative
party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow
.
(PUP) had never lost a legislative election since its foundation. The main opposition parties, the National Independence Party
and the People's Development Movement met together with a new Liberal Party to consider forming an alliance to fight the PUP. The result was that the three merged to form the United Democratic Party on 27 September 1973.
The party's first electoral test was the 1974 general elections. It won four seats, and was within eighteen votes of winning three more. Former People's Development Movement head Dean Lindo
was subsequently named party leader. The party had success in municipal elections during the 1970s, but failed to defeat the PUP in the 1979 general elections. Although it increased its representation in the House of Representatives to five seats, Lindo lost his seat to Said Musa
and was replaced as leader by Theodore Aranda
. Despite internal divisions, the party retained control of three towns in the December 1981 municipal elections
In late 1982 Aranda was removed as party leader and replaced by Curl Thompson, who in turn was replaced by former Liberal Party leader Manuel Esquivel
. In December 1983 the UDP won Belize City
Council elections in December 1983, and the following year they were victorious in the general elections, winning 21 of the 28 seats. However, they lost power in the 1989 elections, winning 13 seats to the PUP's 15.
For the 1993 elections the party formed an alliance with the National Alliance for Belizean Rights. The alliance won 16 of the 29 seats, with the UDP taking fifteen. However, they were soundly defeated in the 1998 elections as the PUP won 26 of the 29 seats, after which Esquivel was replaced by Barrow as party leader. The PUP remained in power following the 2003 elections, in which the UDP only won seven seats. After ten years in opposition, the UDP won the 2008 general elections
, taking 25 of the 31 seats.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election...
.
Founding
In 1974 political opposition in Belize was weak and the ruling People's United PartyPeople's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
(PUP) had never lost a legislative election since its foundation. The main opposition parties, the National Independence Party
National Independence Party (Belize)
The National Independence Party of Belize was a merger of two Belizean political parties that effectively served as the chief opposition party in Belize for practically all of its existence. It was formed in July 1958 and dissolved as part of the formation of the new United Democratic Party in...
and the People's Development Movement met together with a new Liberal Party to consider forming an alliance to fight the PUP. The result was that the three merged to form the United Democratic Party on 27 September 1973.
The party's first electoral test was the 1974 general elections. It won four seats, and was within eighteen votes of winning three more. Former People's Development Movement head Dean Lindo
Dean Lindo
Dean Lindo is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was one of the founding members of the United Democratic Party of Belize and was its leader from 1974 to 1979.Lindo is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn....
was subsequently named party leader. The party had success in municipal elections during the 1970s, but failed to defeat the PUP in the 1979 general elections. Although it increased its representation in the House of Representatives to five seats, Lindo lost his seat to Said Musa
Said Musa
Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize...
and was replaced as leader by Theodore Aranda
Theodore Aranda
Dr. Theodore "Ted" Aranda is a Belizean politician.- Education and UDP career :Aranda holds a Ph.D. and worked with the Belize branch of the CARE organization. In 1974 he joined the newly formed United Democratic Party and quickly rose up the ranks. In 1979 he was one of the 5 representatives...
. Despite internal divisions, the party retained control of three towns in the December 1981 municipal elections
In late 1982 Aranda was removed as party leader and replaced by Curl Thompson, who in turn was replaced by former Liberal Party leader Manuel Esquivel
Manuel Esquivel
Sir Manuel Esquivel, KCMG, PC is a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998.-Biography:...
. In December 1983 the UDP won Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
Council elections in December 1983, and the following year they were victorious in the general elections, winning 21 of the 28 seats. However, they lost power in the 1989 elections, winning 13 seats to the PUP's 15.
For the 1993 elections the party formed an alliance with the National Alliance for Belizean Rights. The alliance won 16 of the 29 seats, with the UDP taking fifteen. However, they were soundly defeated in the 1998 elections as the PUP won 26 of the 29 seats, after which Esquivel was replaced by Barrow as party leader. The PUP remained in power following the 2003 elections, in which the UDP only won seven seats. After ten years in opposition, the UDP won the 2008 general elections
Belizean legislative election, 2008
A legislative election was held in the nation of Belize on February 7, 2008. Beginning with this election, Belizeans elected to the House of Representatives 31 members instead of 29...
, taking 25 of the 31 seats.
Past leaders
- Dean LindoDean LindoDean Lindo is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was one of the founding members of the United Democratic Party of Belize and was its leader from 1974 to 1979.Lindo is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn....
(1974–1979) - Theodore ArandaTheodore ArandaDr. Theodore "Ted" Aranda is a Belizean politician.- Education and UDP career :Aranda holds a Ph.D. and worked with the Belize branch of the CARE organization. In 1974 he joined the newly formed United Democratic Party and quickly rose up the ranks. In 1979 he was one of the 5 representatives...
(1979–1982) - Curl Thompson (1982–1983)
- Manuel EsquivelManuel EsquivelSir Manuel Esquivel, KCMG, PC is a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998.-Biography:...
(1983–1998)
External links
- Official website
- The Guardian Party newspaper