Tonight, the UDP is looking for a new leader - after Patrick Faber ended days of speculation and stepped down as leader - ending an often turbulent 18 month tenure.
And from turbulence to turmoil - it ends after five days of intense pressure on him - culminating in the Leader of the Opposition being taken to court for domestic assault and damage to property.
On Friday, Faber indicated to the Press that he would hang in there, saying he was a political "fighter" - but this weekend - he struck a different tone when he sent a text message to UDP insiders saying he needed time to discern for himself what is the best move to make, quote, "in the interest of the party."
That was to have been announced at a press conference this afternoon - but it was cancelled - apparently after Faber decided it was best to just record a statement and step down. Here's the full recording he released two hours ago:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the UDP
"First of all, let me thank all those who have supported me in my journey this far, in particular my family, my constituency, the greatest of them all, the Collet Constituency, my colleagues, the shadow cabinet, the central executive of the party and most of all, the faithful members and supporters of the U.D.P."
"It is with a very heavy heart that I stand before you today to signal my departure as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and leader of our great United Democratic Party. Both resignations I wish to become effective in a few days, on January 31st, 2022."
"While I maintain that the information circulating about matters with Dr. Shanika Arnold are not the facts, the ills that come with these allegations are simply too much of a burden for me to place on the shoulders of our beloved party and its faithful membership. I have made a decision to focus my attention on giving my fiancée in this her time of need my full attention and support. While doing so I will also work on me to ensure that in the future times I can come to be as best as I can the advocate for Belize's development that you've all known me to be in the past."
"Rest assured that my efforts remain committed for the people of Collet whom I will continue to represent and that I will still give my all to fight, as a member of the U.D.P., to secure a better country for all of us. Long live Belize, long live the U.D.P."
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