Email

Print

The standard bearers have all rallied behind Panton and very soon there will be an endorsement convention to name her as full leader of the UDP. She spoke to us more about it today.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"We have all agreed unanimously that it's time to move the party forward. We are now preparing for us to become the government in 2030. We are united in this effort. We are united in the cause for the United Democratic Party, but most importantly, on behalf of the people of Belize."

"This meeting today was to discuss the way forward for a united UDP, and we have been able to achieve that in fine fashion, in my view. I am most grateful to all my colleagues who made it here today. We had one apology who is fully on board the Honorable Miguel Guerra, he had a funeral in his constituency that he could not avoid, but he is fully on board and fully supports my leadership and fully supports the way forward for the United Democratic Party."

Reporter
"The National Convention, when is one held?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The plan is that within two weeks, we will have a formal National Party Council meeting. The group of 28 have agreed to that today. And then the NPC will set the date for a national convention."

"We believe it's going to be an endorsement convention. We believe we are doing it as a matter of formality. So the issue of leadership of the party and the leadership arrangements for the party can be done in accordance with the party's constitution."

Reporter
"Will you extend an invitation to Mr. Peyrefitte?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"What sort of invitation do you think I should extend to him?"

Reporter
"So maybe rejoin the party? Will you embrace him if he asks to....?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"He has never been expelled. He has not been effectively resigned in terms of his participation as a member of the UDP. He has not been exiled. Whether he's a part of the party's rebuilding effort will really be up to him. I can say to you that there's going to be a new outlook for the party as it relates to our representation in the Senate."

"There's going to be a new outlook to the party as relates to the leadership arrangements for the party moving forward. Mr. Peyrefitte has served in the Senate on behalf of the United Democratic Party. His tenure is now over, and we move forward with fresh new talent that I believe will bring a lot to the table."

But what about the case in court and the matter of the headquarters? Panton said that they will have to wait and see.

Reporter
"In relation to the case. You have your one-day trial on the 31st unless you expect that Barrow would withdraw that. What are you seeing?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Well you would have to ask him that question whether or not he intends to withdraw. What I can say is that there are three of the claimants who are now making steps to withdraw from the case. I did not drag myself to court and I did not drag this party to court. That was done by the former party leader and the former chairman."

"They will have to answer those questions. If we have to show up to court we will do so. We have a very capable, competent legal team representing us and I'm sure that they will make the arguments that will vindicate us in the court."

Reporter
"Will a branch of any source be extended to Mr. Barrow to play a role in the party moving forward? Any at all?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"That's not a matter for Tracy Panton. It is a matter for Shyne Barrow. It is a matter for the people of Mesop. It is not a matter for Tracy Panton. So healing I'm sure as you know will take time and we're not going to make any harsh or hard and fast decisions. We are going to allow the time that is necessary to do the steps that we must take to the solidified esteem and to the solidified united democratic party moving forward."

Reporter
"Party headquarters. Any likelihood given everything that's happened so far that you will get to go back?"

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"It's a matter for the court at this point. There was a temporary injunction provided to our former party leader and until the court that matter is cleared up in court then we respect the decision of the court in that respect."