Mike Peyrefitte: “No one… Is bigger than the UDP”

And, while the U.D.P.’s central executive committee says Panton, Faber, Beverly Williams and John Saldivar constructively resigned, those four view the move as an expulsion from the party. In fact, requests for applications for standard bearers in these constituencies are already out. But what does this move mean for those constituents who voted for Panton and Faber under the U.D.P. banner? Do they still have U.D.P. representation? We asked Peyrefitte.

 

Paul Lopez

“They voted for a United Democratic Party era representative, which they still have, but them being expelled.  I’m interested in getting your take in terms of how that works. They’re no longer members of the United Democratic Party, but yet they’re representatives, doesn’t that do sort of a disservice to those residents?”

 

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Show me where the UDP has taken a position where we see they were expelled.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Constructively resigned.”

 

Michael Peyrefitte

“Show me where the UDP has stated that anybody has been expelled.  Show me where. You said expelled.”

 

Paul Lopez

“I mean, so, so that is to say that there are still members of the United?”

 

Michael Peyrefitte

“No, no, no, I’m saying, show me where I’m saying. We’re wasting good time worrying about things that will work itself out. It will work itself out. It’s always happened.”

 

Paul Lopez

“But what do you say to the residents in that area?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“We’re asking people in not just those two areas, we’re talking about two out of thirty-one. We’re asking the country to have the fear that they always have in the UDP to bounce back and form the government and deliver for the good of the people. That’s how we’re focused on. All those other internal issues that we have we will always work them out the way we’ve always worked them out, which is as a family.”

 

Reporter

“When you as the party chairman stated that these four people had effectively resigned, does that mean that the UDP considers it can do without them and whatever consequences after that be done? Because You have a stronghold in Patrick Faber and also in Tracy Panton. I don’t know if you can find other people who would be able to win those constituencies for the UDP.”

 

Michael Peyrefitte

“You’re trying to bait me into saying something, but this is what I will say.  I will say this and you take what you want from this.  No one person nor few persons are bigger  than the United Democratic Party. The UDP is bigger than Shyne Barrow, it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than Hugo Patt, it’s bigger than Beverly Williams, bigger than Alberto August, and that’s the executive leadership. The UDP is bigger than all five of us individually and all five of us together.”