Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2025. 4:22 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: Justice Tawanda Hondora of the High Court has declared that the October 20th national convention of the United Democratic Party (UDP) “was not called, organized or held pursuant to the express provisions of the UDP’s constitution on National Conventions,” reigniting internal tensions within the party. The decision also found that Tracy Panton, the Leader of the Opposition, was improperly expelled from the party in August 2024, raising questions about the party’s leadership and future direction.
Taking the second part first, Justice Hondora’s ruling clarified that the meeting held on October 20 was not a valid UDP National Convention, and all decisions made during that gathering are not binding for the party’s members.
Among the breaches listed by the judge that, in his view, invalidated that day’s events were many departures from procedure. These are: i) A UDP National Convention Meeting must be called, organized and held by the CEC [Central Executive Committee] and NPC [National Party Council], of which none of the defendants were members at the time; ii) UDP National Conventions to be held on a date determined by the National Party Council, not by individual party members; iii) A Call to a National Convention must be issued to members by or on behalf of the NPC; iv) A National Convention must be chaired by the chairperson; v) Delegates to a national convention must be registered by the Central Executive Committee; vi) The delegates’ roll used for the 20 October 2024 meeting is separate and distinct from that of the UDP; vii) Documents and notices for the 20 October 2024 meeting were circulated by a nominee of Mrs Panton and not the Secretary General of the UDP.
The court additionally found that there was no implied right of the UDP membership under law to demand a National Convention be called, and in the refusal of one, to call one themselves, distinguishing in contract law political parties from ordinary clubs and associations. The judge suggested that political parties could be subject to ‘hostile takeovers’ if members were suddenly allowed to call meetings outside of the party’s established procedure.
On the first point, the court stated, “The August 2024 decision expelling Mrs. Panton from the UDP was unlawful in that the decision was adopted in breach of the UDP’s constitution;” specifically, that no investigation appeared to have been carried out; there was not a fair hearing or opportunity to respond; the decision was taken by the wrong body of the party; and the tribunal essentially hearing Panton’s case consisted of persons with grievances against her and thus was not impartial.
But the court expressly declined to rule on whether or not Panton was and is a member of the UDP or whether it could make her so for various reasons; it served no useful purpose as her role in the party had shifted following the March 12 general election; the UDP constitution does not appear to grant, per the evidence before the court, any right to membership therein; the members of the UDP through their bodies must determine whether the charges against Panton of public mudslinging and mutiny stood; and the court should not be seen to interfere in what are essentially private, often personal, disputes between party members.
Costs in the claim are to be agreed within 14 days of the decision; if not, the court would accept written submission on how to proceed.
Panton was principally represented by King’s Counsel Peter Knox and Barrow and others by Senior Counsel Dr Christopher Malcolm.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post High Court ruling invalidates October 20 National Convention; who will lead the Opposition? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2025. 4:22 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: Justice Tawanda Hondora of the High Court has declared that the October 20th national convention
The post High Court ruling invalidates October 20 National Convention; who will lead the Opposition? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.