Rise of the PUP British Honduras

between 1950 , 1954, people s united party consolidated organisation, established popular base, , articulated primary demands. belize billboard editors philip goldson , leigh richardson prominent members of pup, , gave party full support through anti-colonial editorials. year later, george price, secretary of pup, became vice-president of gwu. political leaders took control of union use strength, , in turn union movement declined became increasingly dependent upon politicians in 1950s.

the pup concentrated on agitating constitutional reforms, including universal adult suffrage without literacy test, all- elected legislative council, executive council chosen leader of majority party in legislature, introduction of ministerial system, , abolition of governor s reserve powers. in short, pup pushed representative , responsible government. colonial administration, alarmed growing support pup, retaliated attacking 2 of party s chief public platforms. in july 1951, governor dissolved belize city council on pretext had shown disloyalty refusing display picture of king george vi. then, in october, governor charged belize billboard publishers , owners, including richardson , goldson, sedition. governor jailed them twelve months hard labour. after, pup leader john smith resigned because party not agree fly british flag @ public meetings. removal of 3 of 4 chief leaders blow party, events left price in powerful position. in 1952 comfortably topped polls in belize city council elections. within 2 years, despite persecution , division, pup had become powerful political force, , george price had become party s leader.

the colonial administration , national party, consisted of loyalist members of legislative council, portrayed pup pro-guatemalan , communist. leaders of pup, however, perceived british honduras belonging neither britain nor guatemala. governor , national party failed in attempts discredit pup on issue of contacts guatemala, ruled democratic, reformist government of president jacobo arbenz. when voters went polls on 28 april 1954, in first election under universal literate adult suffrage, main issue colonialism—a vote pup vote in favour of self-government. 70 percent of electorate voted. pup gained 66.3 percent of vote , won 8 of 9 elected seats in new legislative assembly. further constitutional reform unequivocally on agenda.