U.D.P. Chairman breaks down the options for Penner

Alberto August

Prime Minister Dean Barrow has made it abundantly clear that his initial position to give former Minister of State Elvin Penner a second chance, has now changed following disclosure of further irregularities at the immigration department. While Barrow has asked for Penner’s resignation that is not forthcoming since Penner has indicated that he will remain area representative for as long as he has support in Cayo Northeast.  But on Tuesday evening that constituency declared its support for fresh elections so Penner may be on a limb. This evening, Penner also spoke to the U.D.P. Chairman, Alberto August.  Penner, he says, is faced with three options.

Alberto August, Chairman, United Democratic Party

“Initially you will realize that he had asked the honorable Elvin Penner to resign from the ministry, which went through, and then yesterday he was speaking in regards to other revelations of possible impropriety that the party needs to distance itself from the honorable Elvin Penner.”

Isani Cayetano

“We have been in contact with Mr. Penner in Guatemala since the conclusion of the press conference yesterday and he has indicated to us that he first needs to confer with his constituents, his supporters and family and friends and based on what they recommend and based on that particular discussion with them he will make his move accordingly.  Now, in terms of where the party stands, there is the Barrow administration on one end and then there is the United Democratic Party on the other end.  What is the sentiment of the party with regards to Elvin Penner outside of what the P.M. has said in his press conference on Tuesday?”

Alberto August

“Well, the honorable Elvin Penner called me a while ago indicating that he is still in Guatemala and that he is planning on returning to the country on Sunday.  And, upon his return on Sunday, he will put together a meeting of the Cayo Northeast constituency and on the basis of what they decide then he will announce his intentions, his future intentions.  But he has indicated that at this point in time he is not prepared to resign from his seat as the area representative for the Cayo Northeast constituency.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now, three possible outcomes have been identified with regards to the fate of Elvin Penner.  One…”

Alberto August

“Yes, there’s three options open to the honorable Elvin Penner.  One, he can resign, indicating that he no longer wishes to be the United Democratic Party’s area representative in the Cayo Northeast constituency.  The second option is that he can run out the remainder of his parliamentary term, which of course is imminent because once elections are called then no representative holds on to that position, it goes up again for elections.  And of course, the third position is that he can be recalled and a recall is totally up to the voters in the constituency, the people who put him in place.”

Isani Cayetano

“The motion has been set in terms of the recall petition being underway and the acquisition of signatures.  The People’s United Party have mentioned on record that they are at fifteen hundred signatures thus far.  What are the terms or what are the possibilities of this actually going to a bye-election?”

Alberto August

“The possibility of the opposition going all the way up on their own to a bye-election is almost next to impossible.”