By Aaron Humes: Leader of the Opposition Tracey Taegar-Panton is now officially leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), as she was nominated without opposition, the first woman in charge of either of Belize’s major political parties, as Nancy Marin was the first overall female party leader of the Belize People’s Front. She officially succeeds Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
It was the outcome she had hoped for last October and all but had in her hands after March’s general election result, but the work has just begun as she told reporters at Birds’ Isle on Sunday: “There’s a lot that we have to sort out – we have our Shadow Cabinet to appoint, we have our Central Executive Committee to appoint, we have to re-establish ourselves at the Headquarters, so I will be having a press conference this week so that I can update our media partners on our 100-day plan, the first 100 days – what we intend to do, how we intend to do it; but it is about getting to work, rolling up my sleeves, putting on my boots and getting in the trenches.”
Taegar-Panton indicated that as soon as possible, she intends to relocate to the Party’s official headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive from Euphrates Avenue but there remain some issues to be worked out there.
But even before Sunday’s convention there were lingering tensions as seen in a leaked WhatsApp chat featuring Mesopotamia area representative Lee Mark Chang sparring with fellow party grandees over his backing of Roosevelt Blades for party chairman over the leader’s choice, Senator Sheena Pitts. Pitts ultimately overwhelmingly won, but Chang had contended that he was being silenced and “you in my building and my office and can’t show respect,” referring to the Euphrates Avenue office.
But all sides tried to play it off on Sunday, with Taegar-Panton maintaining, “It’s the push-and-pull of politics, the yin and yang of politics, I say, there’s no magic wand, there’s no magic formula – it’s going to take work, real work, to unite this party, and I believe I am up to the job and I believe after today things will settle down…” She continued, “I think it’s evident – I think it’s evident that I can work with lots of people, maybe not all people, but lots of people. I think the turnout today is indicative of that, and I really look forward to embracing this new responsibility and moving our party forward.” She added that it has been five years in the making, and she is humbled to have finally made it.
For his part, with no disguise of irony, Barrow handed over saying, “I pray that the Creator empowers her with the wisdom, knowledge, understanding and political will to execute effective strategies in the rebuilding processes of our United Democratic Party so that we can enter the halls of a certain building once more when the next general elections are called,” adding that the “unified efforts of all of us” will advance development for Belizeans.
Corozal North’s Hugo Patt remains first deputy leader and Miguel “Mike” Guerra of Benque Viejo becomes second deputy party leader.
The party introduced its 31 standard bearers and listened to Lady Kathy Esquivel, spouse of late former Prime Minister and party leader Sir Manuel Esquivel, deliver the guest speaker’s address which touched on the party’s factionalism: “That’s life, it’s not going to change, that’s who we are. But with good leadership you can overcome those rivalries, or at least moderate them, and become a successful and powerful party.”
Among the five motions up for debate was an amendment to the party’s constitution concerning the expansion of delegates. It failed to pass after it did not receive the required two-thirds support as outlined in Article 18 of the UDP Constitution. Party officials confirmed that the presenters of the motion retain the option to resubmit it at a future convention or meeting, should they choose to pursue the amendment again.
The post UDP National Convention: new leader issues “call to action” but party has lingering tensions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: Leader of the Opposition Tracey Taegar-Panton is now officially leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), as she was nominated without opposition, the first woman in charge of either of Belize’s major political parties, as Nancy Marin was the first overall female party leader of the Belize People’s Front. She officially succeeds
The post UDP National Convention: new leader issues “call to action” but party has lingering tensions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.