Amidst ongoing internal party conflict and belief that there will be early General Elections, United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader Moses "Shyne" Barrow detailed to The Reporter his party's platform, presenting a vision of accessible education, housing solutions, economic growth, and public health reforms.
This unveiling comes against the backdrop of deepening divisions within the UDP, with Barrow's leadership facing open challenges from prominent party members. Barrow expressed confidence that the UDP's policies will resonate with voters, especially given the widespread anticipation of an early general election, possibly as soon as November 2024. "There is a strong sentiment everywhere that elections will be called this year," he told The Reporter.
Key elements of the UDP platform include a government-sponsored student loan program to improve access to education. “We have our student loan plan as far as education solutions that are necessary for the advancement of the country,” Barrow shared. “Right now, we have so many families that their children cannot pursue education because of poverty. Something as simple as being able to get a facility, a loan, which you would pay back once you get a job after completing the degree, would have a massive impact on our population.”
Barrow’s reference to student-loan programs is intended to emulate the type of programs available in other jurisdictions that have government-sponsored loan facilities that, among other things, could be very flexible in terms of matching monthly payments with the borrowers’ income level. Other such programs offer lending under less stringent policies, including relaxed considerations of the borrower’s credit history.
Asked why the platform is for student loans as opposed to the more commonplace promise of “free education,” Barrow explained that the focus is about creating opportunity and less dependency. “I believe that we need to get away from that dependency governance. We need to empower people. We need to give our people an opportunity to help themselves,” said Barrow. “And so free is not the pathway to sustainability. But if we create the opportunity, then it's certainly sustainable,” he added.
Barrow also shared his platform regarding targeted housing solutions to enable first-time homeownership and significant investments in public health infrastructure. Barrow emphasized that these initiatives are designed to empower citizens rather than foster dependency. On housing, Barrow spoke about creating a housing industry in which citizens would have different options.
“The goal is for creating a housing industry where you would have various housing solutions for the different categories of the population,” he explained. “[This way] you could have people on the lowest end of the pay scale be able to get a mortgage and build a home that they can afford. … I know the solution is creating a housing industry and creating the pathway for first-time homeowners to be able to get loans so that they could be able to mortgage and build.”
Barrow, again, specifically pointed to the types of programs available in the United States. For example, in the USA there are programs such as the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The HARP program—aimed at mortgagors whose loans are in good standing—helps persons refinance their private-lender mortgage to one that has lower and/or adjustable interest rates or modified loan terms. There are also programs (such as the USA’s FHA loan) that essentially “guarantee” mortgages for qualified borrowers. The lower, government-insured risk, among other things, helps to reduce the monthly repayment for beneficiaries of this type of program.
Barrow did not explain which specific version of these types of programs his policy would target, but it is worth noting that the two examples provided are only two of a suite of options provided in other jurisdictions.
On the economic front, Barrow highlighted plans to attract foreign and domestic investment, strengthen vocational training, and develop sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, tourism, and aquaculture. He also underscored the need to reform tax collection to ensure equity and address tax evasion.
He also spoke on Food and Energy Security. He told The Reporter, "Our administration will implement plans to make the country energy secure and food secure, addressing core issues that impact our daily lives."
Deep Divisions in the UDP
Barrow’s focus on the Party’s platform, however, cannot be separated from the ongoing turmoil within the UDP.
Barrow's leadership is being openly challenged by former Party Leader Patrick Faber, former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar, and UDP 2nd Deputy Beverly Williams. Faber, Williams, and Saldivar are rallying behind Albert Division Area Representative Tracy Panton and have expressed their support through social media posts with the slogan "I'm with her."
Tensions reached a peak last Saturday when an attempt to hold a National Party Council (NPC) meeting ended abruptly due to clashes over the agenda, leading to UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte canceling the meeting and leaving the building.
This incident allowed Faber, Panton, Williams, and Saldivar to hold an impromptu press conference, voicing their dissatisfaction with Barrow's leadership and endorsing Panton. Faber and his colleagues maintain that their dissent is triggered by what they describe as a complete breakdown in the internal mechanisms for members to communicate concerns and discontent. They argue that Barrow operates in a dictatorial fashion, and this runs counter to the democratic ideals and Constitution of the UDP.
Barrow, however, maintains that the National Convention had already decided against any leadership challenges before the next General Elections. He, therefore, has labeled efforts to trigger a leadership convention—which could unseat him and other leadership positions within the Party—as being futile.
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