Return of the Expelled? UDP “Outline Path Forward”

A release issued by the United Democratic Party under Moses “Shyne” Barrow says that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) met this Sunday at its Belize City headquarters to map out the next phase of the party’s internal development and political strategy.

The release says that “Several matters relevant to charting the way forward were discussed including; Constituency Conventions, the convening of a meeting of the National Party Council and the National Convention as well as amendments to the Party’s Constitution.”

A key item on the agenda was the potential reinstatement of previously expelled members. In a unanimous vote, the Committee resolved that expelled members who apply for reinstatement may be welcomed back—provided they fulfill conditions outlined in Article 11(2)(h)(5). This includes a minimum one-year expulsion period, a public apology, and a formal pledge to adhere to the party’s membership rules.

Among the decisions announced was the opening of all 31 constituencies for internal conventions starting in July, a move grounded in Article 6(4) of the UDP’s Constitution.

“It was also unanimously decided for the current Elected Leadership of the Party to remain in place until the National Convention’

Recently Patrick Faber demanded immediate reinstatement to party, following a High Court ruling that found the expulsion of Tracy Panton unconstitutional. Faber argues his 2024 expulsion—and those of John Saldivar and Beverly Williams—followed the same flawed process, bypassing the party’s Ethics and Integrity Committee in violation of Article 11.

Faber called the expulsions illegitimate and requested they be nullified. However, UDP Acting Chairman Alberto August pushed back, stating that the court’s decision in Panton’s case doesn’t automatically apply to others. He said that reinstatement must follow the party’s internal procedures, including an application to the Ethics Committee and a possible public apology.