Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, has received a congratulatory note from the Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) as the first woman to hold this position in Belize. The union has referred to it as a landmark achievement that signifies a progressive move for the country and an inspiration for women across the Caribbean region. The congratulatory note comes as Panton led her first meeting with several key players in the United Democratic Party (UDP). The meeting saw the attendance of 25 standard bearers including those who had previously supported Moses Shyne Barrow. The over 3-hour event saw the passage of six resolutions including the endorsement of Panton as the UDP Leader. Other resolutions included a vow to end the internal feuds and to hold a national party council meeting. Love News was at the Best Western and spoke with Panton after the meeting.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “We have all agreed unanimously that it’s time to move the party forward. We are now preparing for us to become the government in 2030. We are united in this effort. We are united in the cause for the United Democratic Party but most importantly on behalf of the people of Belize. This meeting today was to discuss the way forward for a united UDP and we have been able to achieve that in fine fashion in my view. I am most grateful to all my colleagues who made it here today. We had one apology who is fully on board, the Honorable Miguel Guerra, he had a funeral in his constituency that he could not avoid. But he is fully onboard and fully supports my leadership and fully supports the way forward for the United Democratic Party. The plan is that within two weeks we will have a formal national party council meeting. The group of 28 have agreed to that today and then the NPC will set the date for a national convention. We believe it’s going to be an endorsement convention. We believe, we’re doing it as a matter of formality so the issue of leadership of the party and the leadership arrangements for the party can be done in accordance with the party’s constitution. We are fully united behind my leadership to move the UDP forward.”
For now, there are lots of grounds to cover in getting the UDP reorganized. There is the need for a new national executive, and, the need to repossess the UDP headquarters for which Barrow still holds the key. Additionally, Panton noted a plan to revamp the Senatorial appointments. As it relates to the UDP’s former Lead Senator, Michael Peyrefitte, Panton spoke on whether he would be welcomed back to the fold as a representative in the legislature.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “He has never been expelled. He has not been effectively resigned in terms of his participation as a member of the UDP. He has not been exiled. Whether he’s a part of the party’s rebuilding effort will really be up to him. I can say to you that there’s going to be a new outlook for the party as it relates to our representation in the Senate. There’s going to be a new outlook to the party as it relates to the leadership arrangements for the party moving forward. Mister Peyrefitte has served in the Senate on behalf of the United Democratic Party, his tenure is now over and we move forward with fresh, new talent that I believe will bring a lot to the table. We came together today and we are leaving this room united. It is the mark of a good leader that’s able to do this in such a short amount of time. Healing does take time but we are committed to the process. What we will not do in the future is air our laundry in the public domain. Family business is going to be family business.”
The resolutions passed at today’s meeting were signed by 25 standard bearers of the party. Among them were Hugo Patt, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, Beverly Williams, Antonio Herrera, Godwin Haylock, and Omar Figueroa.
