MUSA - File

BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC):

Former Prime Minister Said Musa on Friday hinted that it was time for him to step down as political leader of the People's United Party (PUP), which crashed to a heavy electoral defeat in last Thursday's general election.

The Opposition United Democratic Party's (UDP), led by 56-year-old attorney-at-law Dean Barrow, scored a resounding 25-6 victory in the election crushing the aspirations of the PUP which was seeking an unprecedented third successive term in government.

"I will remain engaged in this work of self-examination and re-evaluation, while encouraging and promoting new leadership in this great movement that led the struggle for our independence and economic upliftment," he said.

Musa, 63, said he accepted the will of the people and saw the electoral result as evidence of the country's strong democratic systems at work.

"I would like to first of all congratulate the people of Belize in showing the world that democracy and the rule of law is very alive in Belize.

"The majority voted for a change and we respect the will of the people. I congratulate the Honourable Dean Barrow on his party's resounding victory at the polls yesterday.

Defeat no stranger

The UDP's victory ended its stint in the political wilderness since 1998.

Musa said defeat was no stranger to the PUP and that the party would rebound.

He said the party will conduct an internal assessment of its performance at the polls and will reach out to former members to restore it to its position as the party of choice for Belizeans.

"Election is over, no bitterness, no recriminations; let us move on, confident that we can all make life better for everyone when we work in unity with malice towards none and in a spirit of Belizean solidarity," he added.