Tracy Taegar-Panton says LOO is Silencing the People

The Leader of the Opposition, Moses Barrow is once again taking shots at Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton and Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber to have them removed from the U.D.P. Earlier this week, Barrow’s request to have them removed from the House of Representatives was denied by the Speaker. After that request was made, Taegar-Panton stated that she suspected Barrow would also request for her and Faber’s removal from the various House Committees. So said, so done. Barrow has indicated that he intends to have them both removed by the selection committee. We caught up with Taegar-Panton for her reaction after today’s house meeting.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“Well, this only became apparent today. We were not aware that he had written a letter to the selection committee on this matter.  It is the prerogative of the leader of the opposition to appoint members to House committees. For the record, I’d like to say I served on. thirteen House committees. I sat on twelve committees. I chaired one, which is a joint public accounts committee. I also serve as the party whip, but that’s his prerogative. The challenge I have with that, though, is that when you, when you attempt to silence the voices of elected representatives,  As part of the legislative process, what in effect you do is silence the voices of the people who sent us to the National Assembly to represent them. So it’s unfortunate, but it is indeed his prerogative.”

 

Marion Ali

“I would imagine you haven’t had a chance to speak on the matter with mister Faber to get his position as well.”

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“No, no. It only became evident when mister Faber went to the committee meeting today.  The Foreign Affairs Committee, that that letter had been sent. We didn’t even have the courtesy of hearing from the leader of the opposition that that was his agenda, but it is his prerogative. And so be it. I hope the people of Belize are paying notice that he has now in effect silenced their voices in the very important process of forming policy and determining legislation for the country.”

 

Marion Ali

“Now, you’ve also indicated yourself. And mister Faber that there will be an October twentieth convention held by yourself as the alliance.”

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“No, it’s not held by us as the alliance.  It is a UDP national convention that was petitioned by two hundred and thirty-two delegates of the National Convention, which is the highest decision making body of the United Democratic Party.”