Tracy Panton Reacts to Court Ruling

A recent ruling by Justice Hondora has invalidated the October 20, 2024 meeting widely referred to as the “Unity Convention” under Tracy’s Panton Alliance for Democracy. The justice declared it did not meet the constitutional requirements to be recognized as a legitimate National Convention.

In a statement today, Panton accepted the Court’s ruling and stressed the broader issues of constitutional defiance and internal reform that gave rise to the meeting in the first place. She said, “With the Party’s leadership refusing to follow its own constitution, and after lawful petitions for a National Convention were submitted and dismissed without justification, Hon. Panton and her supporters were left with no choice but to act. The Unity Convention held on October 20, 2024, was a direct response to that refusal—a catalyst to restore legitimacy, uphold internal democracy, and, most importantly, to allow the voices of the Party’s delegates to be heard. Though the Court ruled that the Convention did not conform strictly to the letter of the Party’s Constitution, the judgment does not erase the critical context: it was the outright obstruction and constitutional defiance by Barrow and Peyrefitte that forced reform-minded members to act.”

“The judgment does not erase the context,” Panton added. “It was the outright obstruction and constitutional defiance by Barrow and Peyrefitte that forced reform-minded members to act.”

The Court also ruled that Panton’s August 2024 expulsion from the UDP was unlawful, citing violations of the party’s constitution. Justice Hondora also ordered that if the parties cannot agree on legal costs within 14 days, they must submit written arguments for further directions.