Politics - Channel 5 Belize

Shyne on U.D.P. Support, “There’s a consistent pattern of support.”

The U.D.P. Party Leader mentioned that many of the standard bearers are backing his leadership, even though the Alliance for Democracy has been critical. He pointed out that the upcoming event on October twentieth is pretty much like what happens when the People’s United Party or politician Wil Maheia organizes a convention.

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“We’ve had at least three recent instances where there’s a consistent demonstration of support by the majority of the standard bearers. There was the meeting in Orange Walk, where we met at the ranch in Orange Walk South with German Tillett and there were about fifteen standard bearers there. We had the fifty-first anniversary and fifteen, including the deputy party leader, an elected member of the house. We had the fifty-first anniversary again, Hugo Patt, fifteen standard bearers. We had the letter that was signed when we were trying to do mediation, seventeen standard bearers, and we had this National Party Council which, according to my opponents, is the highest authority and they had so much reverence for the National Party Council when it suits them. There’s a consistent pattern of support. So I have no doubt that those seventeen standard bearers and their delegates would not participate in anything that has nothing to do with the UDP. What is happening on October twentieth is similar to a PUP convention or a Wil Maheia convention. That has nothing to do with the United Democratic Party.”

Shyne Challenges Credibility of Viking Poll

Shyne Barrow is practically on the lowest rung of the ladder as far as his popularity as a politician. That’s what the results of a recent poll undertaken by Viking Strategies indicate. While there were a few discrepancies with the outcome of the survey, Barrow has responded to his lack of popularity by challenging the credibility of the survey.

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“What credibility does that have? I saw people bashing that, saying that it had no credibility so I don’t know what credibility is.”

Reporter

“So how do you feel being on that poll as one of the least liked politicians in the country?”

Shyne Barrow

“Politics is fluid, it changes every day and we continue to work hard in each constituency to improve relations with the electorate.”

Reporter

“You know, you were the only politician in which the word association actually produced a curse word. That has to hurt you, sir. Mr. Ashcroft, I thought he was one of your supporters.”

Shyne Barrow

“I don’t allow any external things to penetrate my state of mind and the work that I have to do.”

PM Briceño Says Elections Will Not be Called Before January

One of the hot topics on the morning show was the P.U.P.’s readiness for the upcoming election whenever Prime Minister John Briceño decides to call it. While he acknowledged that there’s still plenty of work to be done, the PM expressed confidence that his party will perform well when the time comes. He also hinted that the elections won’t be held before January first but stopped short of revealing exactly when he’ll make the big announcement.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We don’t have National Party Council meetings by WhatsApp. We have it in person. And we had over three hundred people. And it was very good, and people are energized. They’ve seen the work that we’ve been doing, and the work, I mean, and yes, there’s always, you know, we need more streets, we need more roads, you know. We need expansion, water, schools, all of that is there. But they have seen the tremendous work that we have done as a government. So they’re very excited and pumped up. They left everyone calling elections, no. But we have a lot of work to do. I’m very excited about the team that, that we have in place. And I believe that we’re going to do very well. And that whenever we call elections, people are seeing the work, they’re feeling the work. But all of us always want more, always want better. And that’s the way it should be.”

Tracy Panton Calls UDP’s Motion “Fraudulent”

Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton is rejecting the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) statement, calling it a “fraudulent attempt” to expel four senior party members without due process.

In a Facebook post, Panton said, “Yesterday’s fraudulent attempt to pass a motion improperly, illegally, and unconstitutionally to expel 4 senior members of the party, without due process, is indicative enough for us to act and to act now.”

The UDP states that its leadership will serve until the National Convention after the next general election, clarifying that no convention will be held before then.

Panton rebutted, “There is no place for a dictatorship in the principles, values, and ideals we must guard zealously. The current Party Leader is unhinged, and it is time for him to step aside in the best interest of the Party.”

Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber supported Panton’s stance, stating, “To make quorum for an NPC meeting, the UDP Constitution requires a majority of its members to be present. If there is no quorum at the initial meeting, the meeting can be adjourned to a fixed date, and at that rescheduled meeting, the members present will form the quorum.”

He explained that “decisions taken at that rescheduled meeting will only be valid if they are carried by at least 40% of the total membership of the Council. By any stretch, 39 people out of 118 can never work.”

Panton reiterated the Alliance for Democracy’s “UDP National Convention” on October 20, 2024, at Birds Isle.

Tracy Explains the Origin of Alliance for Democracy

Tonight, our in-depth coverage of the Alliance for Democracy continues as we delve into the events that led to the United Democratic Party’s dramatic turning point a few weeks ago. This pivotal moment saw the expulsion of the Albert and Collet area representatives. Earlier today, we had an exclusive interview with Tracy Panton. The hashtag “I Am with Her” has rapidly gained traction among U.D.P. members, highlighting the party’s ongoing internal strife. In our conversation, Panton shared the origins of this powerful movement.

Tracy Panton , Area Representative, Albert

“There were several colleagues of mine who shared a similar view, in terms of the party departing from its own democracy and disregarding the constitution of the party which is, for u, the most important institutional tool that we have in terms of our governance of a mass political party. And so, we felt that something had to be done so we can put the democracy back into the UDP. So we got together and it wasn’t an overnight exercise. It’s not a group of sixteen colleagues who just decided to go rogue. It was a process of trying to dialogue and trying to find a productive way forward internally. But when we were effectively removed from the internal communications of the party then we had no other option.”

Isani Cayetano

“The Alliance for Democracy includes two individuals who, at one point, were going head-to-head for leadership of the UDP. This would be Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar. How do you find this partnership working, notwithstanding the history of these two individuals?”

Tracy Panton

“I think the partnership is working quite well. It’s not a three-person alliance. It’s an alliance of sixteen colleagues who share a similar view and share similar values and want to do what is right for the party. In both cases, in both cases, our member for Collet and our member for Belmopan, they voluntarily stepped down when the situation arose that would have caused some kind of harm to the party. And so they decided, you know what, we are not prepared to that to the party just for our own self-preservation.”

Can the Alliance Bring Out U.D.P. Delegates for Unity Convention?

Coordinating the mobilization of hundreds of U.D.P. delegates from all corners of the country is no small feat. This immense effort, spearheaded by the Alliance for Democracy, involves a substantial financial investment. But just how challenging has it been to orchestrate this massive event?

Isani Cayetano

“Let’s talk about the Unity Convention and the planning for this event. You are trying to mobilize as many delegates from across the country as possible to converge on the Birds’ Isle on October twentieth. What has it been like, in terms of being able to reach out to these individuals and pitch to them the idea that this is the event that they want to attend in terms of trying to make change in the party?”

Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“It hasn’t been as hard as one would think. The delegates that are part of the alliance have all shared the same values and where there are delegates with colleagues who may not be supporting the alliance as yet, some of those delegates have reached out to us and said we are interested in hearing what your platform is, why it’s important at this time. And so, we have been reaching out to delegates, visiting with delegates, those who are members of the alliance and those who are not members of the alliance. We all agree that the current situation is untenable and there needs to be some definitive action to make sure we right the ship.”

Is Tracy “True True” U.D.P.?

In certain factions of the United Democratic Party, skeptics have cast doubt on Panton’s credentials. Their skepticism stems from her family’s well-known allegiance to the People’s United Party.

Isani Cayetano

“How would you respond to some critics, or perhaps your detractors within the very same UDP who would say, well she’s not originally of UDP blood, so to speak. What makes her think that she would rise one day to lead this party, considering the history of her family in party politics?

Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Collet

“I would say I am in good company, so was Philip Goldson. Philip Goldson was not a member of a UDP. Philip Goldson left the coalition that they had to form the UDP. I believe that my track record speaks for itself. I have worked for this party, I have made a commitment for this party and I have not even winked in terms of my commitment. And Philip Goldson was not a UDP until the UDP was formed.”

Isani Cayetano

“Is it of any concern to you what has been put out there by the leadership of the party that whatever decisions taken come October twentieth, are essentially null and void since it flouts whatever agreement has been put in place to keep the leader there until after the 2025 generals?”

Tracy Panton

“There is nowhere in the constitution of the party that says that the delegates don’t have the option to change their mind. If twenty-five percent of the delegates sign a petition and say they want a national convention, a national convention shall be convened.”

Panton on Mike Peyrefitte, “…gross dereliction of his duties as chairman”

The chairman of the United Democratic Party, Mike Peyrefitte, has become a divisive figure amid the internal turmoil that has crippled the organization. The Alliance for Democracy has repeatedly voiced their frustration with Peyrefitte, citing unanswered letters and criticizing his dismissive and often authoritarian decision-making style. So, what is Tracy Panton’s take on the chairman’s controversial approach?

Isani Cayetano

“It would seem, from, perhaps, all outward appearance that the chairman of the party is acting in a heavy-handed manner, in terms of his approach to decision-making and of course mitigating this situation.”

Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“Absolutely, I think he has…gross dereliction of his duties as chairman and he has a responsibility to the party. He should ensure, he is the gatekeeper to ensure that the constitution is followed and that we protect the constitution, that we defend the constitution and that we ensure that the constitution guides us in all our decision making.”

Faber: “Peyrefitte is acting in some kind of self-preservation mode.”

During our exclusive sit-down with Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber on Wednesday, we dug into the contentious issue of the United Democratic Party’s decision-making process. We specifically questioned the seemingly heavy-handed tactics employed by the party’s chairman, seeking clarity on this assertive approach.

Isani Cayetano

“The chairman of the United Democratic Party is, himself, an attorney and one would argue [that] he’s well versed in law and is able to understand the constitution of the UDP. Do you believe that, perhaps, he’s acting outside of his scope in respect of the decisions that he’s making that count against the positions being held by the Alliance for Democracy?”

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet

“It’s not that I think that he does not understand or cannot comprehend. It is blatant, it is enabling of the dictator that is Shyne Barrow. It is an advantage-taking of the membership of all the branches of the party’s government. It is an affront to the members of the central executive and the members of the national party council, but especially to the members of the national convention who have signed petitions at least twice, signed a petition at least twice, appealing to him. But it does not shock us that Peyrefitte behaves in this way. This is a man, I’m sure, in the media, you have seen some of the clips that in our chat groups, uses the basest of terminology, profanity, just downright indecency to respond to those of us in the party who are trying to indicate to him, let’s do the right thing. So, it does not shock us and maybe Peyrefitte is acting in some kind of self-preservation mode because he feels that, of course, if Barrow leaves that he would absolutely have to pack his bags and leave along with him. But that is just what I surmise, I don’t know his mind. But what I can tell you is [that] I don’t think it’s because of any lack of understanding, on his part, of the constitution.”

Patrick Faber Reflects on UDP at 51

Last week, the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) marked its fifty-first anniversary, a significant milestone that comes at a crucial juncture in the party’s history. Party Leader Shyne Barrow took the opportunity to honor several loyal supporters who have steadfastly backed the U.D.P. through its highs and lows. Notably absent from his acknowledgments were Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber and Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton. Both politicians were expelled from the U.D.P. after forming the Alliance for Democracy, a faction dedicated to steering the beleaguered party back to its core mission of serving the Belizean people. What does this fifty-first anniversary signify for Faber and the Alliance? Earlier today, we had an exclusive interview with the former party leader, who shared his reflections on this landmark achievement.

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet

“The fifty-first birthday of the party happened last week and I think, more than ever, we can say that at least two of those letters in the UDP don’t mean much or aren’t in full effect at this fifty-first birthday, the unity, certainly, and the democracy. And that is, indeed, something very sad. It is the very foundation upon which the UDP Alliance for Democracy is being put into action. Let me say for the record, clearly, first of all, that the UDP Alliance for Democracy is not a political party, in fact, we are very much UDP.”

Isani Cayetano

“Where do you see this going, in terms of the fact that you guys have been effectively expelled from the party and you’re staring down a general elections in 2025?”

Patrick Faber

“Well, it’s interesting that you should say that because we are not expelled from the party. We maintain, in fact, that anybody who would look objectively at the constitution would see that in fact expulsion comes one way through the party and through the constitution and that is by somebody making an allegation against you, sending it to the central executive of the party, the central executive then determining if there is any value to such a claim. Once it is valued, then it is sent to the ethics committee and you go through an entire procedure where one of, I think, four repercussions could come, one of them being expulsion.”