Panton Fights on as Political Party Splinters

The back-and-forth inside the United Democratic Party just got even more tangled. A new press release from Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s camp says the court didn’t actually confirm Tracy Taegar-Panton’s membership in the UDP—and that it’s up to the party, not the judge, to decide who stays and who goes. But Panton isn’t backing down. We asked her directly about that claim and got her take on how this ongoing tug-of-war is deepening the wounds in a party already struggling to heal.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“That is not what the judge said in court yesterday. I have not seen the most recent press release from Jamal Barrow, purporting to be from the UDP, because I am doubtful that the party will hold itself out to be in contempt of court. SO I am sure that release was sent by Jamal Barrow. The matter is the judge explained as he did the first time that the inner workings of the party is not for the court, however the matter of law is for the court. The party can choose to take action against me in the future, but it has to do so through the proper process and provision of the constitution of the party, which is failed to do, making the purported expulsion, unlawful, illegal, invalid and void of any legal effect.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How does this does this back and forth impact the journey to unity?”

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“I think it is highly unnecessary. I thought going back to court was highly unnecessary. But you cannot trample on the rights and privileges of members, of elected officials or appointed officials. Hence we had to go back to court. It is my hope that we can move forward to stop the hemorrhaging, we have bled to death in my view, stop the hemorrhaging and move forward to unite the party so we can be what we have a mandate to be, a robust opposition that will hold this administration to account.”