New Year, Same UDP Internal Fighting

The general election will be held this year. While we do not know the specific date, many anticipate and predict that it will be called early.

But the question is: will the United Democratic Party (UDP), as the main opposition party, be able to resolve its issue in time to pose a challenge to the super powerful People’s United Party (PUP)?

Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton and Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow remain at war over the leadership of the UDP. “The opposition, the United Democratic Party, is in self-destruct mode still,” said political scientist Dr. Dylan Vernon.

And there are no signs that both parties will mend fences to mount a meaningful challenge against the PUP.

On Friday, the Panton-led faction, Alliance for Democracy, held a four-hour meeting at Patrick Faber’s office in Belize City. We are told that Panton rejected two proposals made by a major party donor: a coalition involving four constituencies—Albert, Collet, Queen’s Square, and Cayo North—under which Barrow would retain the UDP name, along with a suggestion for Panton to recognise Barrow as leader in return for allowing her faction’s candidates to run as UDP. Both proposals were rejected.

The dispute is currently before the court.