UDP Turmoil: Tracy Panton Pushes for Leadership Change Amid Internal Struggles

As the PUP continues its political endorsements, the United Democratic Party remains in turmoil as Tracy Panton is insistent on overthrowing the opposition leader, Moses Shyne Barrow.  Panton, who has formed the Alliance for Democracy, sent another petition to the Party’s Secretariat, for a National Party Council meeting to be held.  In a release sent out today, Panton indicated that the petition had 208 signatures from across 17 electoral divisions.  At our last count, Panton had already sent in three letters to Chairman Michael Peyrefitte of which two remain unanswered.  We understand that Panton is relying on Article 9(7) of the UDP Constitution that allows for the Party Leader to be removed from office AT ANY TIME following a petition signed by at least one-third of the registered delegates of the National Convention and a vote of at least two-thirds of the registered delegates in attendance voting at the Convention.  In other news from inside the UDP, as Panton continues her push to take control of the UDP, Opposition Leader has endorsed Mahmoud Dani Lagha as the party’s standard bearer in Belize Rural South.  There is no information available on Lagha but we can tell you that he is the third selection made.  Initially, it should have been former Mayor Daniel Guerrero then that was changed to Ramon Vasquez who backed off within a week.