U.D.P. Saga Continues; Faber Makes Another Facebook Post

The public saga that’s being perpetuated within the United Democratic Party over decisions made by its leadership has spilled over into another day. Party Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte explained to the media that former leader, Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber was removed from the party’s Central Executive Committee on Monday for refusing to remove Facebook posts against the party’s leadership. While Peyrefitte said that Faber could be reinstated as soon as he removes the posts, Faber did the exact opposite and added another post to his page. This one is themed: “Destroying the U.D.P. – Endangering Belize – Stand up Against Shyne!” It accuses the current party leader, Shyne Barrow of running a dictatorship, systematically violating the U.D.P. Constitution and trying to silence those who speak out against him. He went on to criticize the removal of Albert Area Representative, Tracy Panton from the Central Executive Committee and replacing her with quote, “a junior politician of questionable ethics and integrity” unquote.  Panton was replaced by Melvin Hewlett, who ran in Fort George for the U.D.P. in 2021. On Monday, Peyrefitte said that Panton’s replacement took place in as similar a fashion as her appointment did.

Michael Peyrefitte

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“There was never a removal because in a response to a letter that I sent to Hon. Tracy Panton, she was never, by the Constitution, legally put in place, or in charge of the Central Region. When the past party leader was at the helm and the current party leader was at the helm, we decided to put people in place in the meantime just to ensure that we have some leadership and continuity at the different divisions of the party. Bu then we decided right after the convention to go into formally deciding on who will be in these positions. Under the party constitution, the regions – like the central region for example – the caretakers and our standard bearers would get together and decide who they want to be a central leader. And if they can come to some consensus, then that person is the leader. If they cannot come to a consensus and more than one persons indicate they want the job, then you have a convention, being voted for by the caretakers in the region along with any member of the central executive who live in that region and the delegates of the party from that region. It was put in a group chat in that particular sub-group of anybody who would be interested to vie for the position. A deadline was given, a date was given, all preparations were made and only Mr. Hewlett submitted his name. So I don’t see how – I really don’t see the issue. What are we supposed to say? “No, Mr. Hewlett, we really don’t want YOU, so since you’re the only one who put in your name we’re going to install somebody else?” That’s not how it works.”