Alliance for Democracy Pushes for Urgent UDP Leadership Change Despite Party Resolution

As we have been reporting, the Alliance for Democracy, is planning for a convention on October 20.  It is a convention that has been rejected by the UDP Party Leader, Moses Shyne Barrow; the UDP Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte and the Deputy Party Leader, Alberto August.  One side claims that the alliance is going against a party resolution that was made to maintain Barrow as the leader until after the next general election.  Patrick Faber conceded and said that the resolution was made, but that there is an urgency to get rid of Barrow which is the main item on the convention’s agenda.

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet: “I don’t know if you’ve seen a copy of our motions that will be presented there but it is to rescind three of the five members of that leadership team. So for us the Honorable Hugo Patt is fine. For us the Honorable Beverly Williams is fine. If we are crazy and we don’t know what we’re talking about then the membership of the UDP will not turn up on Birds Isl on October 20th, majority of the delegates will not turn up there.”

Troy Gabb, Host, The Morning Show: What if you don’t get the crowd ? You go back home ? 

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet: “There is no such thing Troy. I told you 232 people petitioned.”

Troy Gabb, Host, The Morning Show: Suppose they change their mind ? We talk about changing minds. 

Rene Villanueva Sr., Host, The Morning Show: Out of a possible how much ? 
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet:“About five hundred and something but you only need half to form a quorum and then you only need two thirds of who turn up to form the quorum to pass. So if the leader and the chairman and vice chairman are smart they would turn up at the convention and bring their guns. But they’re afraid to do that because the membership of the party, the national party council, the national convention and the general membership of the party in the country do not want them in the drivers seat of the UDP.”

The other item on the alliance’s convention later this month is to make Tracy Panton the party leader, with an eventual ascension to the country’s Leader of the Opposition.

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet: “Another thing which is not a secret is that one of the motions, I think it’s motion number 9 that we will put out on the convention floor on October 20th seeks to get the mandate of the National Convention to parliamentarians to say they want the Honorable Tracy Panton to be the leader of the opposition. Now is that binding on the parliamentarians ? No. But you will not be able to say Hugo Patt especially who I’m very disappointed in. He dodges the issues. We are in the middle of a war and your position is “Oh I don’t want to do anything.” That’s weak. But that’s a right he has but you close your eyes when the party needs you the most. When the situation occurred in the last house meeting on Taiwan. You know if there wasn’t a division you wouldn’t know where he lies. And as a leader not only of your constituency but also of your party he is the first deputy leader of this party and should not be silent on matters having to do with our party.”

The UDP Party Leader has announced publicly that the convention slated for October 20 is not sanctioned by the UDP Secretariat.