As the People’s United Party (PUP) continues deliberations over whether to hold a party convention or issue a direct endorsement for its Belize City mayoral candidate, the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has already seen competition emerge for its nomination, kicking off a high-stakes political contest in Belize’s old capital.
Two contenders have officially thrown their hats into the ring for the UDP mayoral nomination: Damian Gough, a seasoned businessman and political analyst, and Jaquelyn Willoughby, a prominent attorney with roots in the labor movement. Gough is no stranger to UDP leadership, currently holding the post of Chair of the party’s Policy Committee. His decades-long tenure in both the private sector and internal party governance gives him a strong foundation of policy and operational experience that he brings to the mayoral race.
In contrast, Willoughby first rose to public prominence as an outspoken trade union advocate before transitioning to a career in law. If she secures the UDP nomination and goes on to win the general mayoral election, she will make history as only the second woman ever to hold the position of Belize City mayor.
Notably, both candidates publicly align with current UDP Party Leader Tracy Panton. Political observers note that a competitive contested convention for the mayoral nomination will serve as an early, critical stress test for the unity of Panton’s expanding intra-party coalition, offering clear insight into how well her leadership can accommodate competing candidacies while maintaining party cohesion ahead of the general election cycle.