The national budget has another month or so before it is presented in the House of Representatives, and it will be interesting to see which ministries get an increase and which don’t. The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat has been critical for years of the skeletal budgets allotted for the oversight bodies […]
The reins of the parliamentary leadership of the United Democratic Party were formally handed over to Shyne Barrow during a brief ceremony this morning in Belmopan. Along with his wife and daughter, the Area Representative for Mesopotamia presented himself at Belize House where he was administered the oath of office as the fifteenth Leader of […]
Barrow’s oath of office is now recognized by the Governor General of Belize. Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton, who is also vying for party leader, this week cited the constitution of the U.D.P. as the basis upon which she should be the one to become Leader of the Opposition. After all, she is the most […]
Today, Shyne Barrow also commented on Patrick Faber’s leadership of the United Democratic Party, and his own support for Faber in the past. Barrow says he gave Faber a fair chance to lead the U.D.P. He called out those who put self-interest and their own political survival first. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition […]
In discussing Tracy Panton’s bid for leadership, Barrow said, along with the broader membership of the United Democratic Party, he was prepared to rally around her in 2021 when Patrick Faber was removed as Leader of the Opposition. The new Leader of the Opposition claims Panton’s decision to tacitly support the embattled party leader Faber […]
For a second time in less than twelve months, Mesopotamia Area Representative, Shyne Barrow, is set to assume the office of the Leader of the Opposition. His swearing-in ceremony at Belize House is scheduled for Tuesday morning when he will be administered the oath of office by Governor General Froyla T’zalam. Former party leader and […]
Mesopotamia Area Representative, Shyne Barrow, is set to become the fifteenth Leader of the Opposition on Monday, when he is sworn into office for a second time in less than a year. He will succeed Patrick Faber who is stepping down on Monday in wake of the latest scandal that has wracked the United Democratic […]
Earlier this week, Albert Area Rep. Tracy Panton also appeared on Open Your Eyes where she laid out the U.D.P.’s constitution, particularly where leadership succession is concerned. While it was her hope that Deputy Party Leader, Hugo Patt, would assume the role of Leader of the Opposition, he has since indicated via letter that he […]
According to Barrow, Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt is only exercising a constitutional right as a member of parliament. As for his confidence in the delegates’ support, Shyne says that he is humbled. Shyne Barrow, Area Representative, Mesopotamia “The Constitution of Belize gives him that right. He’s not exercising a discretionary right that was […]
After the momentous victory last week, the Barbados Labor Party was finally sworn in to Cabinet on Wednesday. One of Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s first proposals to parliament is for a constitutional amendment to allow an eighteen year old to serve as senator. Her reasoning is if young people are old enough to vote, they […]
The public spectacle that has become Patrick Faber’s fall from grace continued on Wednesday when he abruptly ended an interview and walked off the set of a weekly talk show. On January nineteenth, a violent incident at his home resulted in charges being brought against him by his fiancée, Dr. Shanikka Arnold. She decided to […]
In this week’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister and his advisors approved the Free Prior Informed Consent Protocol that will guide consultations with Maya communities. According to this week’s Cabinet briefing, this protocol is in keeping with government’s commitment to the implementation of the 2015 Consent Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice. Cabinet has […]
This is village council election year, so News Five asked the chairlady of Caye Caulker if she will re-contest. After all, Seleny Villanueva-Pott is a two-term village council chairlady and the fourth in her family to hold the post. She says yes, if she has the support of Belize Rural South Area Representative, Andre Perez […]
On Monday, the U.D.P. Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Patrick Faber, made breaking news after making a public announcement that he will step down from the post effective January thirty-first. The decision comes on the heels of the latest allegations of domestic abuse by Faber, made by his fiancée Doctor Shanika Arnold last week. […]
So, with his official departure taking effect in the next five days, U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte was asked if they will be looking for a party leader or a Leader of the Opposition or both. Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P. “There’s nothing wrong with two separate persons holding two separate roles. They are very separate […]
Although Belize has never had a woman as leader of a major political party, the U.D.P’s former deputy leader, current Albert constituency Area Representative, Tracy Panton, has indicated that she is ready to take up the mantle of the party’s leadership. Panton said today that she is also ready to double up as the Leader […]
Just before midday today, former Leader of the Opposition and Mesopotamia area rep, Shyne Barrow, announced his bid for the leadership of the United Democratic Party on his Facebook page. The post comes less than twenty-four hours after Patrick Faber in a public statement said he would tender his resignation as leader of the U.D.P. […]
While two sitting area reps, Tracy Panton and Shyne Barrow, have publicly announced they are interested in replacing Patrick Faber as the leader of the U.D.P., News Five has been reliably informed by operatives within the party that a third person might be throwing his hat into the ring. But, the question is whether Panton […]
News Five spoke via phone to deputy party leader and Corozal North area representative, Hugo Patt, this morning. Patt expressed that he has no interest in becoming leader of the United Democratic Party. But according to U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, he may not have a choice. The party regulations sets out that Patt, as the […]
Earlier in the newscast, we brought you U.D.P. Area Representative, Tracy Panton, saying she is ready to take over the party leadership. During that interview this afternoon, she also told News Five she is aware the campaign leading into the leadership contest could get testy and even dirty. But, she hopes that the party’s five […]
While she plans to dig deep and become battle-ready to take on perhaps the most arduous challenge in her political career, Panton says the next big challenge thereafter, if she is successful, would be making her party truly united. And, whether or not Faber remains in Collet would not be a decision for her to […]
What should have been a press conference to face the media, amid the latest scandal involving the alleged physical abuse of his fiancée, ended up being an almost two-minute long recorded message announcing his pending departure. Tonight, beleaguered politician Patrick Faber has decided to step down as Leader of the Opposition and head of the […]
The Minister of Human Development who is also responsible for Families, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, issued a strongly worded video statement today, calling for Faber to resign. She also underscored what might cause victims of such acts to make a report, but then change course, asking that no further action be taken. The minister countered claims […]
This afternoon the People’s United Party added its voice to the chorus of organizations calling for the leader of the opposition to resign. They not only want him to step down as Leader of the Opposition, but also they want him out of the House entirely. The P.U.P. say they stand with the United Women’s […]
In a rapid response to the video sent out by Patrick Faber announcing he will step down January thirty-first, this afternoon the United Democratic Party National Organization for Women threw their support behind Area Representative Tracy Taegar Panton. U.D.P./N.O.W. says they declare their “unwavering” support for Panton as new Leader of the United Democratic Party […]
