Politics - Channel 5 Belize

Barrow’s Leadership Bid Rejected; Panton Unveils New Vision as UDP Turmoil Continues

Despite the events following the 2025 general elections, turmoil continues to brew within the United Democratic Party (U.D.P). Former Area Representative “Shyne” Barrow stepped down as party leader after losing to Lee Mark Chang in Mesopotamia. However, just last week, Barrow claimed that he still has strong support, and his followers are calling for his return. He insists that until the court decides, he and the executive elected at the last convention will remain in place. In response, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton has firmly rejected Barrow’s bid for leadership. At the U.D.P. press conference held earlier today, Panton laid out her new vision and path forward for the party, emphasizing a fresh direction and unity.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“ The party is moving forward. The party, as I’ve said before, will have a National Party. Council will determine a date for a national convention to be held and will hold a legal convention that will set in motion a new mandate for its leadership team. We will not wait for decision to be made by Justice Hondora. For this reason only, whatever decision is taken by Justice Hondora, the leadership team still needs to be formally installed and still needs a fresh mandate. And so, we hope in the interest of leaving the media circus behind that we will be able to receive a judgment from Justice Hondora, which we have every intention to respect, but the party if you were in court, I know Channel Seven was in court that day, you would’ve heard the judge yourselves, that made a very strong recommendation that the party needs to sit down and sort itself out.”

Shyne Barrow Insists on Continuing as UDP Leader

In a letter written on Wednesday, former Area Representative “Shyne” Barrow said that he accepts the party’s call for him to continue as U.D.P. Leader until the next national convention. He cited the U.D.P.’s dormancy, lack of unity, non-compliance with the party’s constitution, and absence of vision and resources as reasons for his decision. However, a press release from the faction led by Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton later advised that Barrow is not authorized to speak or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P., as he no longer holds any leadership or executive role in the party. In response, Barrow issued another release late Wednesday evening, describing Panton’s statement as fake. He referred to Panton and her supporters as the Alliance for Democracy Party, claiming they were acting in the name of the U.D.P. Barrow asserted that until the court decides on this matter, he and the executive elected at the last convention will remain in place. He shared the relevant portion of the U.D.P. Constitution that he believes supports his position and explained that even if he were not the party leader, he would still be a member of the Central Executive. Today, Barrow sat down to explain why he remains the U.D.P. Leader until the court rules.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“When I had decided that I would turn over to Hugo Patt, rather than follow the procedures, follow the constitution, and set in motion the procedures that would allow for whoever it is the party wanted to be the next leader of the UDP -rather than do that, it is very unfortunate and a total miscarriage of justice and constitutional adherence that Mr. Hugo Patt decided to just flaunt all of our regulations and yield to Tracy Panton. As it stands, until Justice Hondora makes a decision, Tracy Panton has no standing in the UDP. It can’t be that there is a position that because someone is an elected member of the House, they can do whatever they want to do. I was not allowed to do that as an elected member of the House, and it has to be highlighted that I was not only an elected member of the House. I won in a national convention and then I was endorsed in a subsequent national convention, and none of that mattered. So Tracy Panton broke every rule in the UDP Constitution and the idea that because she won her seat, and I lost my seat, we should forget about procedures structure, constitutional compliance is absurd.”

Barrow’s Resignation Moot: Vows to Challenge Leadership Dispute

Barrow had submitted his resignation as U.D.P. Leader on March 17th to Michael Peyrefitte. Peyrefitte, who had urged Barrow to step down, also indicated he would resign as U.D.P. Chairman at that time. Today, Barrow explained that his resignation is moot because of Peyrefitte’s own resignation and the party’s request for him to return as leader. He added that even if Justice Hondora rules against him, he will challenge the decision all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Marion Ali

“After you resigned, that chairman also resigned.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“ Yeah, so he didn’t even, he didn’t even, he wasn’t even in a position – and I wrote to him, so he wasn’t even in a position to accept, and that’s why my resignation.”

Marion Ali

“So, you think because that was the case, your resignation was…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Well, no, my resignation is whatever the party says it is and the party is the one that’s asking me to return. So that’s a moot issue. Tracy could say whatever she wants, but she’s been saying things against all of us: Alberto August, myself, everybody that supports myself and the central executive and the NPC. She has been saying that she is the UDP forever since. She said, “You didn’t need to do that. We resigned you October 20th.” That is her attitude and with that attitude, she’s not going to get anywhere until Justice Hondora makes a decision. And if that decision is in her favor, then she’ll have a temporary blight until the Court of Appeals and the CCJ gives finality to the matter.”

Barrow Defiant Amid Calls for Exit

Despite taking a beating at the polls, many U.D.P. supporters were already calling for Barrow’s exit on social media well before the October twentieth convention. They blame his management style for the party’s downfall and have been vocal about their belief that his political career is in shambles. However, Barrow sees things differently. He quickly recalled how two-time Prime Minister Said Musa was trounced twice at the polls before his political career made a comeback.

Marion Ali

“UDP supporters have been saying, and since the general election, “He never gives up.” A lot of people feel it’s time for you to move on, that your political career is behind you, at least for now.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“Oh wow! That’s interesting. Said Musa lost his seat to Dean Lindo at least twice and won it back every time before going on to become Prime Minister. So that’s ridiculous, Marion.”

Marion Ali

“But to get your response to…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I’m responding to you because you are telling me what Tracy supporters are saying, but those same supporters clap when Patrick Faber is appointed to the Senate.”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are recognized as the UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Who is recognized as the UDP?”

Marion Ali

“The faction that you refer to as the Alliance.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“According to who?”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“What public domain?”

Marion Ali

“Whoever elected Honorable Panton.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“So who elected Miguel Guerra? Who elected Hugo Patt? Those were my candidates. Nobody had in mind that Miguel Guerra would win and even had a chance. And he was inextricably linked with me and he won. So that doesn’t matter to you?”

Barrow Plans U.D.P. Reform Amid Panton’s Silence

Panton declined an interview with News Five today but has scheduled her first press conference since the general elections for next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Barrow has big plans for the U.D.P., focusing on reform. Before diving into changes, he wants to meet with his standard bearers to review the election results, recruit new delegates and standard bearers, and work on amending the U.D.P. Constitution.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“We have to have the necessary meetings and do our post-mortem and look at all of the procedures that need to take place. We need to get delegates, we need to get the caretakers or standard bearers, all of those processes need to happen properly. Delegates need to be elected, standard bearers need to be elected, and then you look at the national convention. We need to look at what can be done with village council because a month and a half has been wasted, so we need to look at constitutional reform. I definitely have spent the last couple of weeks looking at what the Constitution needs as far as improvement.”

More UDP Drama Unfolds Over Leadership

Fresh drama is unfolding in the U.D.P. as ousted Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow insists he’s still the party leader. In a letter dated Wednesday, Barrow addressed the “U.D.P. faithful,” stating he feels compelled to continue as leader until the next National Convention, as originally planned. He wrote, quote, after speaking with many of you and seeing how our beloved U.D.P. has gone dormant, with no attempt at unity, no compliance with the Party Constitution, no adherence to procedures and structures of the Party, no vision or resources to take the Party forward, I am compelled to accept your call for me to continue as Party Leader, end quote. Barrow further stated that under his leadership, the U.D.P. will push for a reform agenda, including necessary Constitutional amendments to rebuild the party. He claims his term doesn’t expire until the convention later this year. Notably, he had resigned as party leader five days after losing his seat in the March twelfth general election, handing over to Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt, who then yielded to Tracy Panton as the rightful leader. While Panton subtly responded to Barrow’s claim on Facebook, today, an official press release from the U.D.P. squarely addressed the contents of Barrow’s letter. The release states that Barrow is not authorized to act, speak, or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P. in any official capacity. It reiterates that Barrow no longer holds any leadership or executive role within the party and that any reference by him to the titles “Honorable,” “Leader of the Opposition,” or “Party Leader” is inaccurate and misleading because he is not an official voice or face of the party. The release states in part, quote, Specifically, Mr. Barrow is not authorized to solicit or accept donations—whether in cash or kind—on behalf of the U.D.P. or as a representative of the Mesopotamia constituency. Any such representations are unauthorized and should be reported to the Party Secretariat, unquote. Meanwhile, Panton will lead the U.D.P. at its first press conference since the general elections next Tuesday to discuss matters of national importance.

Salaries Eat Up 95% of Youth and Sports Annual Budget

As we’ve been reporting, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is now led by Minister Anthony Mahler and Minister of State Devin Daly. Just three weeks into their new roles, they’re already making significant changes. One major focus for Mahler and Daly is figuring out how to better utilize their seven-and-a-half-million-dollar budget. Right now, a staggering seven million dollars of that goes to salaries, according to Daly. He shared more about this on the Open Your Eyes Morning Show today.

Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth

“We have mainly focused on Belize City, trying to assess the problems here in the city and then our plan is in the next week and a half to visit the other districts, but the reality is we have accessible to us, about seven and a half million between youth and sports. However, seven out of that seven and a half million is on salaries. We are using five hundred thousand between youth and sports to really bring program work and also the upkeep of facilities and utilities and all those stuff. So that is the meat of the problem. So I don’t really believe that any tax payer would be satisfied with getting that amount for real sports and youth work within this country. So I am a firm believer that no matter how good the team is or how efficient the methodology is, if we are not solving the right problem the project will eventually fail.”

Is the DYS Meeting Needs of Majority Youth Population?

To make the Ministry of Youth and Sports more efficient with its limited budget, ministers Daly and Mahler might need to downsize staff, given that ninety-five percent of the annual budget goes to salaries. An initial assessment of the Department of Youth Services raised several questions about the effectiveness of their programs. Daly shared more insights into this matter.

Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth

“It is about a hundred and twenty something staff. But over the years there has been a lot of displacement of staff. What we have been understanding is that whenever as staff is maybe transferred or moved and that position is not filled then it displaces the staff below them. So, what we have been doing, in the past week and a half, Minister Mahler and the CEO, we have been meeting with the directors and CO to really understand what is the work that DYS does, because I think it was a grey area for the public too. So, we have been canvassing and finding out what is the data to support the work that you have been doing and having them assess themselves. Do you think this is working? Do you think this is touching the fourteen to twenty-nine age group which translates to two hundred and eighty, almost three hundred thousand out of our population? So, changes will come, and I know sometimes in our culture we can be hesitant to change. But we are not here to displace anybody who is here doing there work. And we are not in these departments everyday. So this exercise is being led by the directors.”

Paul Lopez

“So are we looking at, with consultations from the directors, to declare some posts redundant for greater efficiency?”

Devin Daly

“We are still going over every position. There will be some changes, but we are trying to work with the staff that has been there. Overall what we want is a booming youth department.”

New Board to Be Appointed at NSC

In sports news, the National Sports Council is set to welcome a new board of directors. There’s also talk about a possible merger with the Department of Youth Services. Daly shared insights on these exciting developments aimed at bridging the gaps in sports and youth development.

Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Sports

“Being in the seat I am in now; I now understand that as a government our job is twofold. We are supposed to make sure that facilities, which are a part of development is upkept to a certain standard, and we are supposed to work with the federations to ensure the competition and development side of youth and senior sport is carried out. So, one of the things dear to me is that we have to make sure we keep these facilities to a standard, and we have to apply pressure and resources to the federations to ensure that they are carrying competition in the facilities we provide. You can’t have competition without facilities and facilities will just be facilities without competition and development.”

Paul Lopez

“Have you done an assessment of the National Sports Council in a similar way with DYS, to ensure that the operations there are aligned with the fresh mandate, the vision that you and Minister Mahler bring?”

Devin Daly

“Yes, we have already done that, and it complements with a new board that will be revealed shortly.”

Paul Lopez

“Can you reveal who the new director will be?”

Devin Daly

“We have not selected a new director. The current director is currently on leave.”

Paul Lopez

“So she is on leave and perhaps while she is on leave that selection will be made?”

Devin Daly

“Not saying that. We are still around the table finding out if we want to go in that direction or a different direction.”

UDP Holds NPC on the Way Forward

On Saturday morning at the ITVET Compound in Belize City, the United Democratic Party held a National Party Council meeting to discuss the future of the opposition party. One of the main topics was the upcoming leadership convention to endorse Tracy Taegar-Panton as the leader of the U.D.P. and to elect a new executive team. Key party members, including Mesopotamia Area Representative Lee Mark Chang, were present. After the meeting, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton spoke to the media.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Interim Leader, U.D.P.

“I am the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and that is undisputedly the case. I am also the interim party leader. At the convention on October twentieth, we recalled Shyne Barrow and the delegates of the party asked me to serve as interim party leader until after the election when a leadership convention will be convened. Everything will happen in this party in due course. It will happen conscientiously; it will happen constitutionally. I can tell you already a number of new persons who are prepared to step up and support the party, to run for the party, but we are going to do things properly. And, what we will not do is what Shyne Barrow did to this party. We are going to follow the constitution and we are going to take things in due course. In the meantime, I have shown over and over again that I have the ability and the fortitude to move this party forward. I have the ability and the fortitude to make difficult decisions in this party. We will do what serves the best interests of this party, but most importantly we are going to make decisions that serve the best interests of this country.”