UDP Claims “Successful Reunification Meeting”

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has set 5 October 2025 as the date for its National Convention, following Saturday’s National Party Council (NPC) meeting. While the party touted the gathering as a “successful reunification meeting,” unresolved internal disputes indicate otherwise.

In its statement, the UDP said NPC members “voted unanimously to reinstate all members that were expelled and not in good standing except for one individual.” That individual is former party leader and current Opposition Senator Patrick Faber, who was denied reinstatement during a virtual vote held via WhatsApp.

Party Chairman Mike Peyrefitte told the media on Saturday, “We are putting forth to the NPC to not have him return to the United Democratic Party, and I was the first one to vote to not bring him back to the UDP.”

Peyrefitte accused Faber of entering the in-person meeting uninvited and attempting to cause a disruption. Faber disputed that, telling reporters he had every right to attend. “I am the former leader of the UDP and current senator for the party and the caretaker for the Collet constituency; therefore, no invitation is needed.”

He pointed to a court ruling that, he said, declared his expulsion “illegal, void; it never happened.”

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton took to Facebook, stating, “Whenever the current UDP Leadership Executive is ready to do the right thing and do things the right way, we will be here ready to participate. In the meantime, the UDP Parliamentarian Caucus and I will focus on the national issues.”

The UDP release said, “The UDP looks forward to the coming weeks where 18 Special Constituency Conventions will be held for the people to elect their Caretakers and ultimately the National Convention on October 5, 2025 for the Delegates to elect new Leaders.”