 A discouraged Richardson resigned as Leader in February 1958 and left for Trinidad.Goldson carried the party along a little further, but he had no choice but to meet with members of the National Party (Belize) (NP) to ask for a merger.The details were worked out in early summer, and the HIP was dissolved on June 25, 1958 (one day before the NP) and merged to form the National Independence Party (Belize) on July 1.