Shyne Declares Return as UDP Leader, Panton Pushes Back

Things had been relatively quiet in the United Democratic Party since the last court appearance at the end of March, but that silence was broken this week with a surprise press release issued by Moses “Shyne” Barrow. The former elected official released a statement yesterday saying that the party had gone dormant and that there has been not attempt at unification. Barrow went on to say that after hearing the calls of the party members, he has decided to return as party leader until a new leader is elected at a national convention later this year. He said, quote, “As my term does not expire until the National Convention to be scheduled this year 2025, at your request, I will continue to serve you as Party Leader to ensure the continuity and strengthening of our great UDP.”  End of quote. But who made those calls? Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar Panton says she has no idea and feels that Barrow is just out to make mischief. Panton says that, as it stands, the party has definitively established that she is the leader, and that Barrow cannot act in act in any capacity on the party’s behalf.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “I would really prefer not having to give any  energy or attention or credence to any statements from Shyne Burrow. He is the former party leader of the United Democratic Party. He is the former Leader of the Opposition. He is the former duly elected representative of the Mesop division. I don’t know what instigates his behavior or incites his behavior I should say but this party is focused on our collective efforts to unite and to rebuild and to do the work of the opposition, which is to hold this government administration to account.  Any sort of statement is done in my view purely out of mischief and in an attempt to remain relevant and to create an undermining environment for the party moving forward. We will not, we will not tolerate it. We have made our statement very clear. He is no longer authorized to conduct any business on behalf of the United Democratic Party here at home or abroad. It is categorically untrue., membership of the United Democratic Party, the constituency caretakers all met immediately following the general elections at the Biltmore and we all agreed on the way forward, we signed statements indicating our commitment to that process.  And as far as I am aware,  nothing has changed, nothing will change.  We are in the business of doing our part to ensure that the needs and concerns of the people are met and we will not be distracted by the noise of Shyne Barrow.”

Barrow resigned as Party Leader on March 17, after losing his seat in Mesopotamia to Lee Mark Chang in the general elections. He is still challenging the legitimacy of the convention held in October 2024 in the High Court.