Is Albert Area Rep Tracy Panton Weighing Her Chances at the U.D.P. Leadership?

Tracy Panton

During the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, it was expected that politics would have been at the centre of the discussions. That presumption came on the heels of several social media posts made by Belmopan area rep John Saldivar, calling for a leadership convention and former Minister of State Santiago “Santi” Castillo re-entering the race in Caribbean Shores. But it wasn’t. In fact, coming out of the meeting was approval for the amendment of the Maritime Areas Act, which will go to the House on Monday. Today, cabinet minister Tracy Panton said that the leadership convention, whenever it is called, is an internal matter for the U.D.P. But is Panton considering making a bid for the leadership herself?

Tracy Panton, U.D.P. Minister

“That’s an internal party matter and internally we will decide who the next leader of the United Democratic Party will be. And whoever emerges as the leader, I am very confident that all thirty-one constituencies will throw their support behind the leader that emerges.”

Duane Moody

“Did that come up in cabinet meeting yesterday?”

Tracy Panton

“No. No.”

Reporter

“We know that there is not unanimous support for either of the known aspirants—that’s Mister Saldivar and Mister Faber—the party is divided. Why not Tracy for leader?”

Tracy Panton

“You are having a good day, Brother Jules. You are having a good day. It is an internal matter for the party and we will make a determination. I think that the motivation by all aspirants and members of the United Democratic Party is that we have a big tent; we want to fill that tent with as many people as we can. And we will select the best person to take us into 2020.”

Reporter

“You didn’t say no.”

Tracy Panton

“You are having a good day, Brother Jules.”