Moses Barrow Pushes for Vacancies in Albert and Collet; Faber and Panton Push Back

A deepening rift within the United Democratic Party (UDP) continues to spill into the public eye, with Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow formally requesting the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the seats of Collet’s Patrick Faber and Albert’s Tracy Panton vacant. Barrow, in a letter dated September 5, 2024, claimed that Faber and Panton had effectively resigned from the UDP through their actions, leading the party’s Central Executive Committee to vote unanimously to accept their resignations.

Barrow’s request also referenced the Belizean Constitution, specifically Section 59(2)(e), to justify his call for the seats to be vacated. He argued that both Faber and Panton had violated the UDP’s constitution by leading and supporting a splinter faction within the party. Barrow emphasised that this faction, known as the Alliance for Democracy and led by Panton, was a clear breach of party rules, further stating that their departure was automatic under the party’s constitution.

“Hon. Tracy Panton and Hon. Patrick Faber have vacated their seats. I ask that you declare at the next Sitting of the House of Representatives that the Members from Albert and Collet have ceased to be Members of the House of Representatives,” Barrow wrote, citing Belize’s Constitution and the UDP’s rules. Additionally, on August 29, 2024, the UDP issued public notices announcing vacancies for the Standard Bearer positions in both constituencies, further cementing the party’s stance that Faber and Panton were no longer members.

However, both Faber and Panton quickly rebutted Barrow’s claims, issuing strong denials and accusing the UDP leader of misusing his position for personal and political reasons.

Faber Responds: “Baseless Claims”

Patrick Faber, the long-serving Member for Collet, responded to Barrow’s move with an “Open Letter to the People of Belize” on September 11, 2024, accusing Barrow of once again attempting to oust him from his seat through questionable means. Faber pointed out that Barrow had made a similar effort months ago, which was ultimately rejected.

In the letter, Faber described Barrow’s allegations that he had resigned from the UDP as “baseless” and questioned Barrow’s understanding of the Constitution. “Barrow’s actions display either a profound misunderstanding of the Constitution or malicious intent to undermine my position. Either way, this conduct is unbecoming of someone who seeks to lead both the opposition and the UDP,” Faber wrote.

Faber reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Collet and upholding democratic principles, stressing that the country deserves leaders who act with integrity, rather than those who misuse their positions for personal vendettas. He made it clear that he would not be resigning from his seat or abandoning his constituents, despite Barrow’s claims.

Panton Pushes Back: “We Will Not Resign”

Tracy Panton, the Area Representative for Albert, also pushed back against Barrow’s claims in a letter addressed to her constituents and the general public. Panton reassured the people of Albert that she had not resigned from her responsibilities, nor had Faber, despite Barrow’s assertions to the contrary.

Panton emphasised that while Barrow and the UDP’s Central Executive Committee may claim otherwise, they do not have the authority to remove duly elected representatives without following the Constitution. “As much as the Leader of the Opposition and 15 members of the UDP’s Central Executive Committee purport that we have resigned, they have NO such authority. While they may choose to disregard the Constitution of the UDP, they cannot disregard or usurp the supreme law of the land,” Panton wrote.

She accused Barrow of acting out of desperation and vowed to continue serving the people of Albert with “unwavering commitment.” Panton also condemned Barrow’s attempts to force her and Faber to vacate their seats, describing his actions as those of a bully. “I do not cower to bullies or dictators or the Leader of the Opposition’s minions, for that matter,” she asserted.

Political Showdown Looms

As the situation unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see how this power struggle within the UDP plays out in the next sitting of the House of Representatives. Barrow’s reliance on constitutional provisions and party rules to justify his actions could set the stage for a significant legal and political battle.

Meanwhile, both Faber and Panton remain firm in their positions, denying any wrongdoing and reiterating their commitment to their constituents. Faber, in his open letter, vowed to uphold the principles of democracy, while Panton declared it the “privilege of my lifetime” to serve the people of Albert.

The upcoming House session promises to be a critical moment in determining whether Barrow’s efforts to remove these two influential figures from their positions will succeed or if Faber and Panton can fend off yet another attempt to oust them from the UDP and the House of Representatives.