Members of the U.D.P. Turn in Petition Seeking to Recall Patrick Faber
It started with murmurs and whispers, continued with an exchange of barbs and denials on social media, and then today, there was an actual petition submitted at the United Democratic Party Headquarters seeing to oust the party leader. News Five’s Andrea Polanco was among the press corps gathered at the U.D.P. Secretariat this afternoon.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
In what can be described as a historic move in the rank and file of the United Democratic Party – members kicked off the move to oust their party leader. But it played out in simple form – two members of the U.D.P. who have both failed to win an election – arrived at the U.D.P. Headquarters at three this afternoon. In his hands, Tony Herrera holds a folder which contains a document with signatures from members of the United Democratic Party – who want Patrick Faber gone as the U.D.P. Leader. Herrera, accompanied by U.D.P.’s standard bearer for Port Loyola Philip Willoughby, went inside the U.D.P. secretariat on the lower flat to submit those signatures. He emerged a few minutes later.
Patrick Faber
Tony Herrera, Member, U.D.P.
“Today, we brought in the recall petition. I must inform you that the Constitution calls for a hundred and seventy-two; we got two hundred and ninety signatures from twenty-six different constituencies here. This is mainly to recall the party leader of our party.”
Herrera says that getting more than the required number of signatures is a clear indication that those within the party don’t want Faber to lead them – and among them are three members of House: Corozal North’s Hugo Patt; Mesopotamia’s Shyne Barrow and Queen Square’s Denise Barrow.
Tony Herrera
Tony Herrera
“It is a resounding answer from the delegates; this is the rank and file of the party. So, for us to go over one hundred and seventy-two means a lot for us and also for the party. It sends a clear message for where we want to go. This is two hundred and ninety that signed freely. This was not secret ballot or anything. This was freely and fast. We went out there and got the signature and brought them back. This was twenty-six constituencies. In these twenty-six constituencies, we have three parliamentarian constituencies, which is rightfully said; Corozal North; Queen Square and Mesopotamia. That is very important.”
But to get Faber out through a national convention, they need an additional sixty five delegates to support this petition. But Herrera and his group are hoping that Faber will take the high road and step aside based on these two ninety signatures.
Tony Herrera
“We are more than confident that we can pass that three fifty-five when crunch times comes along and we have to go to a convention.”
Reporter
“What you all would prefer is that Mr. Faber sees these signatures and send his resignation – that is what you all want?”
Tony Herrera
“Exactly we would like to end this thing peaceful in an amicable way to rebuild this party.”
But if Faber leaves – then who will leader the U.D.P.? Herrera was tight-lipped on that subject but hinted that they have someone in mind.
Tony Herrera
“We will take it one step at a time…white smoke we will have that.”
Reporter
“What kind of end game are you looking at?”
Tony Herrera
“We will have that when the time comes we will have that but we do have someone in mind.”
So, why do some of the U.D.P.s want to recall Faber? It started shortly after the release of video where Faber is seen engaged in a domestic dispute. He later apologized but ever since then members of his party have been making moves against him – some going publicly against him. And it has since caught on – but what did he do so wrong that could see his party members make a move against him?
Tony Herrera
“We are not here to expose everything. We are here to handle everything internally as best as we can but it is like the 290 – resounding. Obviously something is wrong and I am not here to disclose what is wrong and what I am saying is that we are not happy with the way he is leading. He is not fit to lead and that is the bottom line.”
The group leading this charge against Faber is led by a “Caucus for Change” with four leaders, notably former Leader of the UDP John Saldivar who lost against Faber is one of those leaders – but Herrera says with Saldivar it is party first.
Tony Herrera
“We have a caucus for change that is made up of about twenty to twenty-two aspiring stand bearers and present stand bearers and so it is a group effort that came to this where we are today. John is a leader in our group – I will not say that – our group is compromised of three or four leaders collective at the core as the caucus for change. This is not about John Saldivar. He has stated openly he has no interest in leading at this time and the constitution doesn’t allow John to run for leadership of the party but this is about the United Democratic Party.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
We reached out to Chairman of the U.D.P. Michael Peyrefitte for a comment on the petition and he told us via WhatsApp message that he is unable to address the matter today because they are going through internal processes, but that he commits to speak on the matter in the coming days. Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber responded to our request for a comment on the petition to recall him as party leader. He says, “This is unfortunately another obstacle in the rebuilding of our beloved party. I will continue at this point to deal with these matters internally and at an appropriate time soon will make a public statement concerning this and related matters.”
