High Court Invalidates October 2024 UDP Convention

As it relates to the famous October 20 UDP Convention held at the Civic Center, today’s court ruling raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the event.  The High Court Judge determined that the meeting did not qualify as a UDP National Convention under the party’s constitution. The court’s decision was based on several key findings. The judge emphasized that a UDP National Convention must be called, organized, and held by the Central Executive Committee in collaboration with the National Party Council and the Convention Committee. The October 20th meeting, however, was organized by Tracy Panton and her supporters, who were not part of the UDP’s Central Executive Committee. The court highlighted that the UDP constitution grants the NPC the sole authority to determine the date of a National Convention. The meeting was also held on a date chosen by Panton and her pro tem secretariat, violating the party’s constitution. The judge pointed out that the notice and call for a convention must be issued by the party chairperson on behalf of the NPC. In this case, the notice came from Panton and her pro tem secretariat, while the NPC opposed the meeting. Then-Chairperson Michael Peyrefitte did not chair the meeting, which featured delegates not selected by the Central Executive Committee. The court concluded that the October 20, 2024, meeting was not a valid UDP National Convention and that the decisions and resolutions adopted at that meeting are not binding on UDP members in their official capacity. This effectively means that Barrow, who lost his seat in the March 12 General Elections, remains the party’s leader. Earlier today, he reacted to the ruling and spoke on what he believes is his next step as UDP Leader. 

Moses Shyne Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition: “We will continue with the rebuilding of the party.  know that PR officer put out a press release yesterday talking about Constitution reform  because our Constitution needs to be strengthened  even though the ruling from the judge makes clear  that October 20th was invalid. There are many procedural inconsistencies, gaps, loopholes that need to be closed, ambiguities that need to be clarified, so that we never even approach the type of catastrophe that we had with all of these geniuses, political geniuses and constitutional experts interpreting the Constitution to their favor. So the most important decision that was rendered  is the fact that I remain party leader,  the central executive, the national party council that is in place remains. All of those people that abandoned the UDP for the Alliance for Democracy and we ran other candidates, those are our candidates, those are the NPC,  he people in the central executive that they dismissed, that is the party. So we will meet and we will talk and see how colleagues feel about moving forward and if there’s any room for reconciliation. But I believe now is a moment of reflection for Tracy and co.”

Following the court’s ruling that her expulsion was unlawful, Tracy Taegar Panton issued a statement condemning the actions of Shyne Barrow and former-Chairman Michael Peyrefitte. She said her removal violated due process and party rules, and was driven by personal and political animosity. Panton defended the October 2024 Unity Convention as a necessary response to internal obstruction and dismissed reform petitions. While the Court ruled the convention did not strictly follow UDP procedures, Panton emphasized that it was a move to restore democracy and give voice to party members. She also stated that she received a response from Vice Chairman Alberto August in her request to restore the status quo ante. Panton says she welcomed a response from August and Deputy Leader Hugo Patt, who have committed to guiding the party forward in line with its constitution. Panton ended by affirming her dedication to unity and democratic renewal. The LOO will be holding a press briefing tomorrow to respond to the court’s ruling.