"Constructive resignation?" What's that, right? Well, in the letter Faber explained that that Cardona was responsible for a, quote, "deliberate abandonment of (his) duties to the Party and a rejection of the allegiance (he) owed to the Party. We caught up with Faber less than an hour ago at an event where he explained the decision. Due to the late hour the interview was conducted, we have it for you un-edited:

Patrick Faber, Party Chairman
"We have looked long and hard at the series of events, at least over the last six months that culminated with the events at Friday's House Meeting. Where, of course, he spoke out rightly against the Government. But there are other things that we believe he has done over the past 6 months that demonstrates that he no longer wishes to be a part of the UDP. And we've termed that as his constructive resignation from the party. These things are such as not attending the Party's Parliamentary Caucus for some time now, things like not attending the Party's National Party Council Meetings, and of course a series of things that he did over the course of at least a year now. There was the launching of a billboard campaign in Orange Walk Town and surrounding areas against the Deputy Party Leader and the Leader of the Party. Around the time of the convention, in fact, Secretary General and myself as Chairman, we had to call him because we were in receipt of a letter that he had written to some very notable PUP businessmen, basically saying to them that he wanted their financial support in order to embarrass the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister..."

Jules Vasquez
"In the convention?"

Patrick Faber
"Yes, he said that if he would receive this financial support, it would help him to, of course, embarrass the UDP, embarrass the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister. Which of course, has to amount to him not supporting and him not wanting to be a United Democratic Party member. So this letter merely serves to say to him: listen we accept that you have demonstrated all of these things which says in effect that you no longer wishes to be a member of our beloved party."

Jules Vasquez
"Why didn't you move against him then? Have you moved against him now because the UDP was hurt and embarrassed by what he said, and this is now a retaliatory measure?"

Patrick Faber
"It's not retaliation at all, but you know that there is that proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. While he did not cast a vote against the budget, I'm sure that sure that all who saw what he did could clearly see that he was against the Government and the United Democratic Party, and so we used that as the straw that broke the camel's back. But there are a series of events, as I've said, that says to us loud and clear that he does not wish to be a part of the United Democratic Party. His meetings with the PUP Leader, and this entire weekend, which is now factual - everybody who seems to have information - tells us that he met with the Leader of the Opposition. But it's not retaliation, it's just what we can do under the circumstances."

Jules Vasquez
"But doesn't the D in UDP stand for Democracy? Can't there be a plurality of you - speaking only about the presentation on Friday - can't there be plurality of views. Can't there be - if not a vote of conscience - an act of conscience in the house?" I don't think anyone out there thinks the man was lying."

Patrick Faber
"You are right in that if you look at that event alone, maybe that is not enough to look at him and determine him not a member of our party. But again, I'm saying that it's not only Friday's events. It's a series of events. Not attending the Party's National Party Council Meeting is a huge thing. Not attending the Parliamentary Caucus Meetings, where we plan and we explain why it is that we're putting forward certain actions in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, if you don't go, how can you understand where it is the Government is going. And for you to get up and criticize on boots of that is just ridiculous."

Jules Vasquez
"So then, there are practical considerations. First, what does this make him, physically in the house? He had the last seat in the back-bench. Being not, now, a UDP, having "constructively resigned" where will he sit? And will this force a bi-election?"

Patrick Faber
"I don't think it will force a bi-election. According the constitution, a bi-election would come if it is deemed that he has crossed the floor. He would have had to have done that out rightly, or if he resigned. And I'm not sure that we can put our "constructive resignation" to that kind of resignation. So it is the Party's wish to simply say to all concerned, that he is not a member of the UDP, and we will push for him not to sit with the rest of good members in the house belonging the UDP. So you can look forward to seeing him sit somewhere else, but not with the UDP."

Jules Vasquez
"Well he can't sit with the PUP."

Patrick Faber
"Well Maybe if he..."

Jules Vasquez
"I know he has a vehicle that has "E" plates, and that he's the Chairman of House Sub-Committee. Will he be stripped of those?"

Patrick Faber
"He has not been stripped of those, and it is a decision we will have to look at clearly. It's a decision we will have to look at in the next House Meeting. At the time of the Meeting, if there is a change in the Chairman, it has to be done there so, I'm not sure that it will be done."

Jules Vasquez
"With this vague language of a "constructive resignation" why not just expel him?"

Patrick Faber
"Well the procedure for expulsion is much longer. There is a system that is in place. You know of troubles that we've had in terms of defining clearly what procedure is, even though to a large extent, it is outlined in the Constitution. But for us, if there are all indications, I don't see why we need to go through that entire process. It is evident that he does now wish to be a UDP member or support. Let's deem him resigned by way of what he has done, thank him for his resignation, and move on with business of governing the country".

The letter closes by saying that quote, "we hereby accept that constructive resignation and with immediate effect cease to regard you as a member of the United Democratic Party."