Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow today held his usual press briefing. And though he spoke about the party's position on a number of national issues, we wanted to know how he feels about the credible challenge being posed by expelled UDP's Tracy Panton and Patrick Faber and their group called the UDP alliance for Democracy.
They're planning a so-called Unity convention for the 20th of this month -and they plan to gather a majority of the party's 500 plus delegates to show and prove that Shyne Barrow does not have the support of the party base.
So what happens if they succeed? Will Shyne Barrow turn tail and step down? Not likely! We asked him about it today:
Jules Vasquez
"What would you do in that situation where people who are still, who haven't been expelled from the UDP and are members in, we think, good standing, show up with their delegates at this event on October 20th?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"The Central Executive and the National Party Council would deal with it at that time."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you fear that this could weaken the party even more? Because the party is certainly, I believe you will concede, weakened by the loss of Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, two elected representatives."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I believe that having two elected representatives that want to lead the party, by all means, that have no regard for the rule of law, they should change their name to the Alliance Against Democracy. This is the most anti-democratic grouping propped up by Mr. Significantly Corrupt himself."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, that's unfair. You toured the country with John Saldivar when he was leader of the Caucus for Change, sir. You did everything you could with him."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"He was not significantly corrupt at that time. The United States did not designate him at that time."
Jules Vasquez
"Stop it."
"Okay, so it's the U .S. designation that..."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"No, I'm just telling you that prompted further investigations and further analysis."
Jules Vasquez
"They did that when he was out of public life, I don't believe that the U.S. designation had to do with his time in private life."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"No, no, no, when he was a public official. But if you'd allow me to answer the question, I, along with the majority of colleagues, believe that having people that want to divide and destroy the party within the party makes absolutely no sense."
Jules Vasquez
"Let's just say at this event that is being held on October 20th they get 300 of the known delegates. What would be your next move?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I cannot envision that any of the legitimate delegates would participate at that level and we would not know because I trust nothing that Patrick Faber or John Saldivar or Beverly Williams or Tracy Panton say I find them to be very dishonest very disingenuous so it wouldn't there would be no verification."
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