Race for UDP Party Leader between Shyne and Tracy; Faber can still run for leader

Published by BBNTEAM at February 7, 2022

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Posted: Monday, February 7, 2022. 3:24 pm CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: The United Democratic Party (UDP) is gearing up for a leadership convention next month, following the resignation of former party leader Patrick Faber.

The UDP’s Party chairman Michael Peyrefitte said today, that thus far, only Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Albert Division Area Representative Tracy Taegar Panton have indicated that they wish to offer themselves up for leader, but that there is still time for someone else to do so.

Peyrefitte explained that the UDP’s National Party Council (NCP) has set the date for the leadership convention for March 27, but that those who want to vie for the post have the rest of the week to say so.

“Nobody [else] has expressed an interest at this time. Saturday the NPC set this Friday, February 11 as the date for nominations. Whoever is interested can submit their names to the secretariat in writing or in electronic form,” Peyrefitte said.

He went on to say that there are eight people who are qualified to run for party leader, as the UDP’s constitution stipulates that the leader of the party must be a part of the National Assembly. The UDP has three members of the senate and five members of the House of Representatives who are eligible to run for leader.

Peyrefitte added that Patrick Faber, despite his recent resignation, can also put in a bid for leadership.

“Technically, yes, he can run again. You will remember when the honorable John Saldivar had resigned after becoming leader elect there was a subsequent election to choose just the leader, because he resigned, and then he ran again,” Peyrefitte said.

He added that based on discussions the party has had with Faber, indications are that he does not intend to run again. Interim Party Leader, Area Representative for Corozal North, and Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Party Hugo Patt has stated publicly that he will not be offering himself up for party leader.

Barrow, who is currently the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, says that he stands ready to vacate the seat and allow for the new party leader to occupy both positions, in the event he loses at the leadership convention.

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