The theme “Believe in Belize” did not appear by chance in the political lexicon of the greatest mass political party that ever emerged in Belize (People’s United Party). Faith in Belize and its people was the impetus for the birth of the Nationalist Movement in the mid 20th Century. Ever since then believing in Belize and its people has become the dominant DNA in the gene pool of the PUP. The embers of that flame have never extinguished. Despite intermittent flickers that passion continues to provide the energy that propels the PUP forward.

It was momentous when the baton for the peaceful, constructive Belizean revolution was passed on to Said Musa. During the intervening years of Musa’s leadership, the challenges facing small states became more complex and multi-dimensional. Mr. Musa’s unflinching faith in the Belizean people enabled Belize to weather the turbulence of globalization. The “believe-in- Belize” approach to national development has nurtured, nourished and sustained the unprecedented growth that this country has ever witnessed.

Only a government that plans with a vision can envisage a country with a national university that is capable of imbuing the indomitable spirit of its young people to acquire skills to meet the developmental needs of a young nation. The University of Belize was born out of a strong conviction that Belizeans are capable and willing to work hard to build an internationally recognized tertiary level institution of learning. The hard work and the vision of this government, the faculty, staff and students have collectively given UB genuine accreditation. There was no need to rely on an underrated US university for legitimacy. The PUP believes in the ability and capacity of Belizeans to chart their own destiny.

If Prime Minister Said Musa and the PUP did not believe in Belize this present administration would have succumbed to the painful prescription of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to retrench public officers in the name of austerity. The Musa Administration refused to be Esquivellian and, instead, pushed for a commendable Belizean solution for the challenges faced by Belize two years ago. Why? The answer is simple. The prime minister and his government believe in Belize. Barrow, Esquivel and the UDP do not believe in the Belizean people’s ability to rise to the occasion. Barrow is just too maniacally ambitious to be prime minister but conversely he is politically timid. He panders to special interests and the lunatic fringe in his party. He does not provide leadership. It is usually a case of the tail wagging the dog.

The idea of retrenching the Privy Council as the final appellate court for Belize is of concern to most Belizeans. Many believe that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is a relic of the colonial past and therefore must be excised from Belize’s legal system. And advocates of the retrenchment of the Privy Council also believe that retaining it derogates Belize’s sovereignty. But it is not surprising that the UDP in their myopic view of the world did not embrace the opportunity to retrench the Privy Council but instead continue to retrench poor workers and threaten to pare away people’s land. During the last sitting of the House, the Belizean people, once again, witnessed the naked, low political calculation and tragicomic behavior displayed by the UDP under the leadership of Barrow.

The successful floating of bonds to restructure Belize’s foreign debt and the policy-based loans negotiated by this government again clearly shows the ability of the Musa administration to advance the interest of Belize. The UDPs were resentful of those successes because they do not believe in the ability of Belize to negotiate complex transactions. The PUP efforts were under constant attack by the UDP and their hounds. The UDP tried to undermine the efforts of this government in its quest to enhance Belize’s credit ratings. The uncharitable and unpatriotic behavior of the UDP under Barrow is a clear indication that they are not ready to lead Belize in the right direction. They just continue to be masters of confusion, indecision and cowardice. They lack faith in themselves and in Belize.

In the area of foreign policy the Musa administration has proven that it has earned its keep. Only a government that believes in Belize can successfully conduct an even-handed approach to foreign policy in its relations with the United States and Cuba based on mutual respect. Prime Minister Said Musa skillfully maintains fruitful relationships with the two adversaries defying the dictum that ‘my enemy’s friend is my enemy’. This two prong foreign policy happened despite reservations expressed by the United States. But yet through skillful diplomacy Belize was able to maintain cordial and respectable relations with the USA. This achievement by any stretch of the imagination is no small feat for a small country like Belize to pull such a delicate balancing act. This is a mark of effective leadership, a stark contrast to the UDPs pandering. They would have thrown Belize’s interest out of the window to please others.

So it is as clear as daylight that Dean Barrow and the UDP are nothing more than cynical players in Belizean politics, coldly pursuing their interest under the guise of their talk of values. A little humility and self-knowledge is what the people want from them. They do not even have the courage to admit their lack of conviction. They do not have what it takes to lead Belize.