The UDP is going through another ugly public squabble - and this time it's between Leader Patrick Faber - and party general Juliet Thimbriel.
Today, Thimbriel put up a Facebook post with a screenshot of a text message from party leader Faber. He told her that he is replacing her as chairman of the convention standing committee on the Central Executive - because, quote, "whatever has gone wrong with us personally affects your support for my leadership…thanks for all your efforts…over the years. I'm sure that you will find other ways of continuing your support." End quote.
Thimbriel snapped back at him saying he wants to be surround by people who kiss his behind and don't tell him the truth. She adds, "that's why you remain in the situation you are in right now where you have the title and don't have the respect." end quote.
Thimbriel also captioned the post, quote, "After working for more than 26 years in the United Democratic Party, more than half my life, because I dare to express myself about how matters are proceeding this is what I got from Honorable Patrick Faber!" End quote.
But, under the party constitution, Faber - as leader doesn't have the authority to remove Thimbriel as Chairman of a standing committee - only the Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte does. And it seems Faber and Peyrefitte have had some differences over this removal.
It seems all Faber really has the power to do is remove Thimbriel from the Central Executive chat group - which he did order to have done. And from a screenshot we've seen, the Party Chairman left his own Central Executive's chat group not long after - as an act of protest.
All evidence of a party that remains deeply divided against itself - and for historical context, it's notable that Thimbriel was one of Faber's strongest backers in 2020 when he ran for leader - famously shedding a tear for him after he finally won in July of that year. But now, Faber has alienated another ally - in this case a powerful one in terms of internal party credibility.
