Are “Boots” Martinez and Patrick Faber Returning as Standard Bearers?

Speculation is swirling within the United Democratic Party over whether Patrick Faber and Anthony “Boots” Martinez could be making a political comeback as standard bearers. That potential shake‑up inside the party could come at the expense of recently selected female candidates in Collet and Port Loyola, claims that have raised more than a few eyebrows among supporters after an already rocky year. But party leaders say the story being told online is misleading, insisting the rumors don’t tell the full story and saying the organization is rebuilding and moving forward after a major leadership reset. Here’s more on what’s being said, and what’s actually happening.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader, United Democratic Party

“Let me say that  the United Democratic Party had a National Party Council meeting on Saturday. At that meeting, we passed a resolution to right the injustices and wrongs that was done to four senior members of the United Democratic Party under the previous leadership. And so for posterity and for to ensure that we clearly document for our own history the Honorable Senator Patrick Faber, Ms. Beverly Williams, Mr. John Saldivar and myself. We made a clear motion declarations that what  happened was wrong and completely wrong. There is no intention, as far as I am aware, of any changes to the leadership in Port Loyola. Where it comes to Collet, there has always been a clear understanding that at the appropriate time. We will look at the caretaker as we have an obligation to do for all other constituencies that have caretakers. We are a political entity that intends to win in 2030. And to be fair, the only reason the honorable father Patrick Faber was not considered the caretaker was because of the injustice done to him. At the time he was not allowed to participate and effectively expelled a third time, if you will. Because he was bold enough to show up for a National party council meeting where he should have been so he was disenfranchised, and we will not allow that injustice to perpetuate indefinitely.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is that to say then that he will? That now is the appropriate time for him to be reinstated as standard bearer in that area?”

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“There will be a meeting including the leadership team and the call it constituency, the present caretaker for us to determine collectively together when the time will be.”

 

Party leader Tracy Taegar-Panton says despite online buzz about political comebacks and candidate shake‑ups, there are no immediate changes planned, and any decisions, especially in Collet, will be made through consultation as the UDP continues its rebuild.