Panton on UDP Court Case, “This Is an Academic Exercise”

After today’s hearing, we spoke with the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton. She believes this whole situation is just an academic exercise since party members are supporting her leadership. When asked about the possibility of mediation to resolve other disputes, Panton mentioned that they had tried mediation before, but it didn’t work.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“I think that this is an academic exercise. The people of this country have spoken. The delegates of the U.D.P. have spoken and I am the leader of the United Democratic Party, unanimously supported by all members on the opposition side who get to make that determination.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is it your view that mediation outside of this hearing would be in futility because of all that is taking place?”

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“We certainly tried, bent backward for mediation to happen. There is no need to waste the time of the court when the will of the delegate should not be thwarted by a technicality. Every attempt, every single attempt to seek mediation and even before coming to court today to say let’s withdraw this matter and settle it within has been denied by the claimants. So, we are here because they have dragged us here. This does not help the party move forward. We have to move forward. We have to accept the delegates, we have to accept the will of the electorate.”