United Democratic Party says ‘return the Tenth’

Published by BBNTEAM at October 28, 2023

Posted: Saturday, October 28, 2023. 7:49 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The Battle of St George’s Caye is not a ‘UDP holiday,’ the Opposition party says in a press statement urging the Government to revise the holiday calendar so that the Tenth of September holiday in 2024 is observed on its original date.

The United Democratic Party claims that this is another example of a ‘policy’ to minimize the significance of the date, mentioning reduction of allocations from the September Celebrations Committee such that associated events (Queen of the Bay, Citizens’ Parade and Bram) can no longer afford to organize events.

It further claims that this is “inexplicable and disgraceful” and that (Sunday dates aside like this year) the date has always been celebrated on the day and has not been changed by any colonial or independent Belizean Government, UDP or PUP.

The party complains that the Government seems to want to divide Belizeans but points out that neither party existed when the decision was made to defend the Settlement in 1798. It contrasted this with the Belize International Music and Food Festival which it claims has cost close to 3 million but has “[failed] to attract low season tourists.” The Tenth, it concludes, “…is a source of national pride and diminishing its importance is disrespectful to all patriotic Belizeans who love and revere these patriotic traditions. September Tenth is a Belizean day.”

Minister responsible for holidays Kareem Musa has argued that it is in fact easier to plan major events surrounding the Tenth with a three-day holiday weekend.

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