On the other side of that ugly dispute is First Deputy Hugo Patt. Despite the recent high profile defections of Elodio Aragon and Omar Figueroa, he is sticking with Shyne. And today via Zoom the Corozal North representative - who holds one of the UDP's strongest seats told us why:
Jules Vasquez
"I know that the Tracy's leadership has left a spot for you as First Deputy, and we've seen that other standard bearers have said that, well, we're going over to Tracy's side, Aragon and Figueroa yesterday. Are you contemplating going over to Tracy's side?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"While Tracy is garnering a lot of support, at this point in time, I think it's very important for us to consider the fact that, I mean, there was a time for all of this."
"There was a convention last year where an executive was elected. And so what we're looking at is not even supporting one or the other, but basically maintaining the stability that this party needs. So that in my opinion, a convention was set last year."
"And so we have to respect the process. And so there is where my position comes from. As I indicated earlier, and some people are telling me, look, why Shyne and not Tracy? I told them, look, if then Tracy had been selected, my position would be the same."
"I would stand with Tracy. And there is no two doubts that both Shyne and Tracy, they're excellent leaders. In my opinion, they will be very, very successful prime ministers, but we can only have one at this point in time. And as we speak now, it is not the time for this."
Jules Vasquez
"Tracy's allies will say, well, a convention was held on October 20th, a unity convention. They say that they had 66% of the delegates. Why don't you respect that convention?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"Right. This is precisely where I'm heading at. Let us imagine that Hugo Patt wants to become the next leader. I could rally my delegates. I could rally our delegates. And I could call a convention and say, well, we'll go back one, put a next convention. I could put in 230 delegates. I will become the next leader. It is just chaotic. It is just not right right, some people were telling me, but what about Corozal? Well, let us form a UDP in Corozal, Orange Walk could form a next UDP in Orange Walk."
"Stann Creek could form a next UDP in Stann Creek. Toledo could form a next UDP in Toledo and in each of these districts, you will have leaders emerging. What do we do next? This is not the kind of track record that we want to set at this point in time."
"So while I could fully understand, and I appreciate that Tracy pulled a majority, who pulled quite a number of delegates, I will not be one to underestimate what she did. But what I'm saying, this is not the time for that."
Jules Vasquez
"Are your delegates and your supporters pressuring you to join Tracy's side?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"Well, I have people who will, who are supporting Shyne. I have people who are supporting Tracy, just as I had people who were supporting John and Patrick whenever, when both were bidding for leadership."
"And so I tell people we have to respect that. But in this particular case, I'm just explaining to the people, look, it is not my position of one over the other. For me right now, it's very important for us to preserve the institution of the United Democratic Party."
"I spoke with Shyne, I spoke with Tracy, and I told them, look, and I quite recall telling Tracy, look, Tracy, why not wait it out? It's just a couple of months ahead before the general elections. Rally your troops then."
"For now, what we can do, let's rally our troops, let's energize them, let's bring that fire, but let's do so against the PUP."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you see any reconciliation between these two sides, deputy?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"For the benefit of Belize, for the benefit of our supporters, and for the benefit of the institution of the United Democratic as it is, for there to be that kind of reconciliation."
Jules Vasquez
"But do you see it happening? From your interaction with these two individuals and knowing the nature and the malignancy of this dispute?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"I think at this point in time, the fight is more personal than anything."
Jules Vasquez
"Your critics are those who say, well, you don't want to switch to Tracy's side because you have pending lawsuits with Dean Burrow as your attorney, and if you go against his son, you will lose your standing in those lawsuits. Is that something that's influencing your decision -making?"
Hugo Patt, Supports Shyne Barrow
"Absolutely not. I am more concerned about the institution of the UDP, and its discipline, and more importantly, its viability going forward."