Tracey Taegar Panton is the candidate for first deputy who lost to Patt - by the widest margin in the convention. Speaking outside cabinet today, She told us that it was a tough defeat, but a lesson.:
Jules Vasquez
"On Sunday, understandably you looked like your dog or your best friend had died. You looked like you need some consolation."
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton - UDP Area Rep
"Listen, nobody enters a race to lose, you enter a race to win. That was not going to be the case on Sunday for various reasons. I understood that I was climbing a steep hill but I was intent to ensure that we maintain some democracy and some integrity in the process. So, the experience for me has really I think been extremely valuable as I continue forward with my political career in Belize. The privilege of visiting the communities throughout this country and meeting with delegates of the UDP is one that I will hold near and dear and I can tell you that I have new tools in my toolkit and this certainly not going to be the only time I run for office within the UDP."
Jules Vasquez
"Was that convention fair? One hear all these reports about a delegates list which 15 of the same name as the standard bearer or maybe one name different. That doesn't seem fair."
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton
"The convention is over. I entered a race, I had to deal with the circumstances as they presented themselves, I do so to the best of my ability, I was not able to win the race this time and for me, that's the end of the story."
Reporter
"If there wasn't fair play, then clearly you weren't given a fair chance to win in terms of what you bring to the table on the executive. That cannot be a good feeling."
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton
"No it's not a good feeling, it's certainly not a good feeling. I did not step back from the race, I did not withdraw my application because I feel very strongly then as I feel very strongly now that the only way you can change a system or change a process if you're prepared to get involved."
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