 Shortly after the formation of the National Independence Party in 1958, Member of the Belize House of Representatives Enrique Depaz claimed at a meeting held on 19 August that there was no opposition to the ruling People's United Party (PUP), who had just won elections in March 1957.He proposed that a third party was necessary to provide real representation to Belizeans.His proposal was accepted and the DALP was formed under leader Nicholas Pollard.