UDP Chair Declares Panton ‘Constructively Resigned’ Amid Leadership Turmoil

Tracy Panton has constructively resigned from the United Democratic Party (UDP) – these are the words of UDP Party Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte.  Peyrefitte responded to Panton earlier today via a 2-page letter, indicating that not only did her petition not meet the required number of signatures, but that her recent actions have been in contravention of the Party’s constitution, rendering her constructively resigned from the UDP, and therefore she having no standing to submit a petition.  The letter reads, in part, quote, “your unconstitutional behavior over the last several weeks in which you have been on every media station publicly attacking Party Officials, disparaging the Party in clear breach of the UDP Constitution Article 5(1)(b)(c); Article 5(5)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e); Article 7(11) and declaring yourself the leader of a new party the “Alliance for Democracy” renders you constructively resigned as a member of the UDP thus you have no standing to submit any petition.  I am responding to you simply as a matter of clarification.”  End of quote.  The letter goes on to remind Panton that it was on August 13 last year that the national convention was held and that there was a unanimous vote to have Moses Shyne Barrow serve until the next convention after the 2025 general elections.  Peyrefitte noted that it is on this basis that all Constitutional provisions related to the question of leadership were suspended by the final decision of the National Convention.  The UDP Chairman, additionally wrote, quote, “The National Convention in its wisdom foresaw all the destructive behavior being displayed by yourself and others in the media in your struggle for leadership months before the next General Elections at the detriment of the UDP.  The UDP Constitution allows me as the Chair of the CEC to call a National Convention in case of an emergency, however there is absolutely no emergency that has arisen since the August 13, 2023 National Convention.” End of quote.  To cement the decision at the 2023 national convention, Peyrefitte indicated that as recent as April 7, 2024, the National Party Council had passed a resolution to stick to the decision made at last year’s convention.  As it relates to the petitions to overthrow Barrow, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte notified Panton that the petition submitted fell short of three signatures as the required number is 176.  It is a curious point as Panton indicated that she had garnered 208 petitions from several electoral divisions.  One very interesting revelation made by Peyrefitte in his letter to Panton is that as many as 20 UDP Standard Bearers have signed onto a letter, dated August 22,  requesting that she cease and desist from her campaign to unseat the Party Leader.  The letter closed off stating, quote, “While the UDP Constitution should be of no concern to the Alliance for Democracy, who I’m sure has its own Constitution and rules that govern its affairs, I have responded in the interest of the public record.”  End of quote.

In response to Peyrefitte’s letter, Panton issued a statement from the Alliance for Democracy, condemning his assertion that she has constructively resigned from the UDP.  She noted that the assertion is baseless and that its only basis is her insistence and that of other senior members.  The Alliance for Democracy says it is vehemently opposing Peyrefitte’s decision to reject the Recall Petition, which was duly signed by 208 delegates to the National Convention.  The group added that although no explanation has been provided, it appears the 35 signatures in question are from delegates of Port Loyola, Caribbean Shores, and Belize Rural South.  In the end, Panton stated that she remains firmly committed to the United Democratic Party and its proper functioning.