Michael Peyrefitte Returns as UDP Chairman to Mend Party Rift

After being out of the United Democratic Party Executive for three and a half months, Michael Peyrefitte is back to take up his post as the Party Chairman.  The former UDP Senator was not elected, but the powers that-be have summoned him to rescind his March 18 resignation as part of a strategy to fix the broken opposition.  It is anybody’s guess why the seasoned politicians like Dean Barrow have waited this long to intervene, but according to multiple sources, a magnanimous attempt is now being made to end the Panton and Barrow feud.  According to Peyrefitte, he was not eager to get back into the ring, nor was he encouraged by his family, but he has an obligation to the UDP.  As a result, he wrote to the Acting Chairman, Alberto August, as a formality, to have his resignation rescinded.  In an interview with the media, Peyrefitte explained that he does have a strategy in mind to unify the factions.

Michael Peyrefitte, Acting Chairman, UDP: “Naturally I initially resisted but in the best interest of the party that I love and I want to see move forward I think it was important that if my colleagues were asking me to return then I was obligated as a service to the party to come back and see if I can help with that process. So I agreed. I’ve presented to the parties involved that I have a certain vision and way that I think we can solve the issues of the party going forward. We’re in discussion with those and we will see where it goes and I am fully prepared to take charge of the party so to speak up until the point where we have a national convention and the people of the party can vote on who they want to be their substantive leader. We need to have a national convention to decide certain things and it is my personal view that after that national convention a slate will be selected to lead the party and that slate will be the ones chartering the course or leading the way for the party up until next national convention in 2027. And I think that it is very important that if we’re going to be ready for 2030 or even possibly 2028 then we need to settle our issues this year so that who ever emerges as the new leadership of the UDP can then set a foundation to make us be ready for the next general elections. But naturally I mean, and I’m not saying anything about him, I’ve been in serious discussions with elders of the party who have told me bwai Mike you know I’m asking you to make the sacrifice but you’re obligated to serve your party and they’re correct and it’s not limited to just one individual, it’s about four or five individuals, senior members of this party who basically said they believe that the party needs me right now and they believe I can play a part and I’m not going to tell those people no.”

As Peyrefitte takes over the Chairmanship of the UDP, he did make it clear to the media this afternoon that he is prepared to walk away if the efforts made to reunite are disregarded.

Michael Peyrefitte, Acting Chairman, UDP: “I will not get into the details as to what we will do or what the things will be considered, that’s a matter for the NPC. But I will say is this I came back because I believe that we are in a position to have discussions that would take us where need to be as a party. I believe that I can add to those discussions and the NPC, the important thing is to have the meeting and the important thing is for the people who are to be at that meeting to make decisions. I have been assured that all sides are willing to do that at this point and we will explore the definitive solutions to that. In just a few short months we will know exactly who the UDP leader will be because we will go on a course everybody will be on board with and everybody will pledge to accept the results of. Who anybody is at this point right now I mean it’s immaterial.”

Reporter: How can you party leader be immaterial sir, I’m just asking you for one declaration.
Michael Peyrefitte, Acting Chairman, UDP: “I  have spoken. I have spoken already on that matter and I think you have me mistaken for a man who repeats himself. I have spoken on that matter and look you want to call me “daddy” , you want to call me “emperor” , whoever wants to call themselves whatever is immaterial. That has not served us well in the UDP. Nobody is nothing and everybody is everything in the UDP at this point. I would have not be here if it was not made specifically clear to me by all of them that they believe that I could make a difference in moving the party forward.”

Love News understands that the UDP’s Alberto August responded to Peyrefitte, accepting his rescission.  The response letter noted, quote, “Please be informed that your request to be reinstated as Chairman of our Party is gracefully accepted. We need all hands-on deck to return our Party to its glory years.”  End of quote./