Panton Counting on U.D.P. Delegates Heading Into Leadership Campaign
Earlier in the newscast, we brought you U.D.P. Area Representative, Tracy Panton, saying she is ready to take over the party leadership. During that interview this afternoon, she also told News Five she is aware the campaign leading into the leadership contest could get testy and even dirty. But, she hopes that the party’s five hundred and seventy-three delegates will be able to see through the distractions.
Tracy Panton, Aspiring U.D.P. & L.O.O. Leader
“I met some of the delegates – not all – as you know I didn’t have access to all the delegates when I ran as First Deputy Leader, but I would have, hopefully, more access to delegates this time around. I am hoping that we are all mindful, you know. Democracy, as we say, can be messy but I am hopeful that, given what we have been through as a party, given what we need to do before the next election, we would keep the mud-slinging, if you will, to a very minimum because I think, quite frankly, people have had enough of that. When I ran for First Deputy Leader, it wasn’t a walk in the park either, but I stayed the course. I never retreated because once I give you a commitment I give you a commitment and I held my ground, I did the work I could have done, I met the people I could have met, and I was not prepared to retreat. I really prefer not to get confrontational, but I won’t be trampled upon. If I have to fight, you know, if I’m placed in that position, I will defend myself.”