UDP Chairman Rejects Recall Petition

On Tuesday, Tracy Panton and Beverly Williams submitted a petition to the Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP) requesting the recall of Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow. In a release, the Alliance for Democracy said that the petition garnered 208 signatures from 17 constituencies.

According to Article 9(7) of the UDP Constitution, the Party Leader can be removed if one-third of the registered delegates sign the petition and two-thirds of the delegates present vote in favor. The Alliance for Democracy then said that the Party Chairman has no grounds to reject the petition, citing the Constitution’s provisions.

In response, UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte issued a statement addressing the petition. Peyrefitte noted that the petition with 173 signatures falls short of the 176 required for a recall under normal circumstances. He criticised Panton for alleged breaches of the UDP Constitution and declared that Panton’s actions, including forming a new party, rendered her constructively resigned from the UDP, thus lacking the standing to submit the petition.

Peyrefitte emphasised that the National Convention had unanimously voted on August 13, 2023, for Barrow to serve until after the next general elections and that this decision suspended all related constitutional provisions. He stated, “There is absolutely no emergency that has arisen since the August 13, 2023, National Convention decision that the Party Leader serve until after the next general elections.” Peyrefitte also referenced a resolution passed on April 7, 2024, reaffirming the National Convention’s decision and expressing full confidence in Barrow’s leadership.

Peyrefitte mentioned a recent letter from 20 Standard Bearers supporting adherence to the August 2023 decision and reiterated that the UDP Constitution should concern only the UDP itself. He concluded, “I have responded in the interest of the public record.”