UDP Stalwart Herbert Panton Passes Away

Herbert Panton

The United Democratic Party has suffered another major loss with the sudden passing of Herbert Panton. Panton, who is the husband of Albert Area Representative, Tracy Taegar Panton, died earlier today after being hospitalized overnight here in Belize City.  A stalwart of the U.D.P., Panton served the party in many capacities, including holding the post of assistant secretary general. As an officer of the court, Panton also served as a senior magistrate in the Belize District jurisdiction. This afternoon, U.D.P. Chairman Mike Peyrefitte remembered his colleague in the legal fraternity and the party.

Mike Peyrefitte, Chairman, United Democratic Party

“I don’t have details as to what happened, all I know is that he was admitted to the hospital last night and today he succumbed to whatever he was admitted for last night.  Other than that, I have no details but I think I can confirm indeed that he has passed.”

Isani Cayetano

“Give us some background on Herbert Panton as a member of the United Democratic Party, one, and, secondly, as a brother in the legal fraternity.”

Mike Peyrefitte

Mike Peyrefitte

“In terms of the UDP, [he’s a] five-star general.  There’s no bigger UDP than Herbert Panton, no bigger supporter of the UDP than Herbert Panton.  It is a sad, sad day and his passing is a serious blow to the United Democratic Party, that’s all I can say.  I’m still in shock.  I still can’t believe, I couldn’t believe it when I first heard it and it’s going to be a huge, huge loss for us.  In terms of a brother, I know Herbie always wanted to be a lawyer.  He moved mountains to go to law school, he made all the necessary sacrifices.  He was a magistrate even [and a] distinguished attorney and so we have lost not just a colleague, but a UDP brother and also a friend. He was the editor of the newspaper at one point, assistant secretary general of the party at one point.  He has played so many different roles for the UDP and always one of those people who would be the first to put us right.  One of the first persons to tell us what we were doing well, what we were doing wrong and he was a person who you would listen to, a person whose opinion mattered.  And so, as an overall supporter of the party and an official of the party, his contributions are immeasurable and just, today we just miss him.”

Reporter

“Could you speak to his brutal honesty, I know that on many occasions he may have rubbed some of the party members and supporters by being abrasive in some way, but he was known for his brutal honesty, correct?”

Mike Peyrefitte

“But that’s what I just said, he would be the first one to put us right.  He shot straight, that’s Herbie and in the contact sport of politics, you need that from within because it is that type of upfront, brutal honesty that prepares you for the real opponent.”