Two UDP Reps Missing from Budget Debate Spark Speculation

Two members of the United Democratic Party were noticeably absent from today’s opening session of the national budget debate. Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt and Cayo West’s Miguel “Mike” Guerra, as we understand it, gave no official reason for absence.  Their no-show raised eyebrows, particularly as the debate marked a key moment for the Opposition with Tracy Panton spoke for the first time in her official role. This evening, she was asked to comment on the absences.  

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “That’s for the Honorable Hugo Pat and the Honorable Miguel Guerra to respond to. I think that we have a duty  and we have a responsibility. We have an obligation to the people who elect us to be present, to participate in this process, to add our contributions to the national debate. Again, it is a social contract. We need a robust and functioning democracy to have a robust and functioning government. And so  I believe that they should be here. I don’t know why they are not here.   Myself, I know we had village council elections yesterday in those constituencies but I don’t accept that as a suitable excuse for not being here on the first day of our budget rebuttal. I can’t compel anyone to do something that they ought to be doing. Even before today’s meeting, we have been meeting as a team, as a UDP parliamentary caucus preparing for  today. We have included all colleagues. We have shared our notes. In the truest sense of defending and promoting and advocating for democracy, we have an obligation and they will need to answer for themselves why they are not here. I won’t make a frivolous excuse for why they are not here. I do believe the Honorable Hugo Patt will be making his contributions to this debate in the next two days and so I expect him, if he couldn’t be here today,  will be here either tomorrow or Wednesday.” 

Reporter: You checked with him? 
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition:“Not as yet.  I haven’t had a chance to speak to him since morning.”

Panton added that she was unsure if the men will attend tomorrow’s sitting.