UDP Finalizing Slate of Standard Bearers Ahead of General Election

United Democratic Party is pushing forward with fielding standard bearers to run in the next general election. Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow has been on a tour, meeting with standard-bearers and applicants to discuss the way forward. Barrow says that the UDP has identified and has already pre-approved candidates for the Queen Square, Collet, and Albert divisions but is holding off on the final approval, due to the pending court mediation with Tracy Panton’s Alliance for Democracy. He says that the party’s full slate of 31 candidates should be announced soon. 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “In short order the party will present officially its 31 candidates. So we have not made an official presentation of our 31 candidates. But what you have seen is the party leader tour of the regions. So I have met with the southern region standard bearers. Those are all set in place, those standard bearers. I met with the Western Region Standard Bearers, I met with Eastern Region Standard Bearers and I will meet with the Northern Region. But there are still some finalizations that need to take place as far as Standard Bearers are concerned with the nominations committee and the central executive. While we concede that there are four members, Cayo North, Collet, Queen Square, Albert, that have strong likelihood of winning their seats we would certainly agree to them being the candidates. We reserve the right to decide who are the suitable candidates outside of that.”

Barrow also emphasized that the power to accept or reject applications for candidates rests with the Nominations Committee and the UDP Central Executive. 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “There is a process, just to be clear. The party leader does not appoint anyone. Vacancies are declared. Applications are submitted. Those are reviewed by the nominations committee. The nominations committee has always been done, is authorised to approve or reject applications that go to the central executive and then we make our announcements to the public. That process is underway and has been concluded in certain instances and is pretty much concluded in others but as I said to give full disclosure, there are applications that would be approved. However, in the interest of mediation, we did not want to proceed with the approvals because once we proceed with those approvals, there will be no reversion.”

While Barrow says the UDP remains committed to participating in the mediation, he does not feel Panton is acting in good faith.