UDP women’s organization makes case for Tracey Taegar-Panton as Leader of the Opposition

Published by BBNTEAM at January 31, 2022

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Posted: Monday, January 31, 2022. 10:17 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Moses “Shyne” Barrow is widely expected to be appointed Leader of the Opposition tomorrow, Tuesday, assuming incumbent Patrick Faber resigns today as expected.

However, the National Organization for Women (NOW), the United Democratic Party’s women’s arm, is plumping for their chosen candidate, Albert area representative Tracey Taegar-Panton, to be appointed ahead of Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives.

The organization cites section 9(7) of the Party’s constitution which designates an order of preference for the urgent appointment of a leader.

If Faber resigns, Hugo Patt would be first in line as first deputy leader and Beverly Williams Castillo as second; however, Patt has stepped aside for personal reasons and Williams Castillo is not a member of the House.

NOW argues that Taegar-Panton is the most senior of the House delegation (other than Faber) as she has more time in office than either Shyne Barrow or Denise Barrow, both of whom are in their first terms in office.

NOW is therefore demanding strict compliance with the Party Constitution in selecting Taegar-Panton over Shyne Barrow, but the national Constitution states that the parliamentarian who has the support of the majority of the House delegation is appointed Leader of the Opposition, similarly to the appointment of the Prime Minister as recommended to the Governor-General who has sole authority to make those appointments.

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