Yesterday at the Bird's Isle in Belize City - the UDP held its 4th national convention in just over two years. This was the third convention to select a leader - which may set a high water mark for internal turmoil in the party's 49 year old history.
But, they say politics is the art of the possible - and the party went into Sunday's convention in the hope that it could emerge united, with a strong mandate for a strong leader. But, that's not quite how it played out - and tonight there are fresh wounds inside the body politic of the UDP. Jules Vasquez was at the Bird's Isle yesterday and has the story:
For Tracy Taegar Panton's camp - the day started with a prayer at her office.
Shyne Barrow was in the tents with his campaigners.
The 516 party delegates would have to choose whether the "Time is Now" for Tracy or If Shyne Barrow was "the Change They Believe In".
Shyne Barrow, Aspirant for UDP Leader
"I have ham currently about 22 or 21 constituency leaders supporting me who are the leaders of the constituency and I have about 23 executive committees who are voting today that have pledge their support for me."
When Tracy Taegar Panton arrived flanked day her brother - she brought the drums - and the combustion from Patrick Faber's Collet delegates - though Faber himself was not there.
Reporter
"Begin by talking to us about your energy coming into the convention this morning."
Tracy Taegar Panton, UDP Aspirant For Leader
"It's at an all-time high. I think you can see that as we approach the convention hall this morning. We've done the work, we've visited with the delegates, we've made the case and we feel very confident that we will deliver on our commitment to unite and to heal and to rebuild the United Democratic Party."
Reporter
"You've been beset by personal tragedy as well as other obstacles, how do you maintain your resolve in terms of proceeding with your campaign and being able to canvass as many delegates across the country?"
Tracy Taegar Panton
"You know the man that I married would not want me to step away from my dreams or my hopes and aspirations for this country and so that gives me strength."
For the convention fatigued UDP it was the fourth such event in 25 months - certainly a sign of deep internal crisis, but that notion wasn't being entertained today:
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"This is very healthy for democracy."
Edmond Castro, Belize Rural North
"And I think it's healthy for the democracy of the party."
Jules Vasquez
"It's upheaval, Edmond."
Edmond Castro, Belize Rural North
"No, I don't think so. Man, the moment you could mobilize and bring your people together, then its better off for you."
Jules Vasquez
"This is the fourth national convention the UDP is having since January of 2020. How much is that a reflection on your leadership and your tenure as leader that you left the party in a fractious and fractured state?"
Dean Barrow, Former Party Leader
"But I don't understand that at all. How can you say that I left the party in a fractured and fractious state? After I left and remember I stop being leader for a year before the elections. What those who come after me do? It's a matter for them. I can't have any control of that. When you are no longer leader, you are no longer leader. How will you blame me for what happened post my leadership? Not proper, sir, not correct."
And while Barrow deflected blame - he was fully in support of his son:
Jules Vasquez
"There were complaints on the other side that you were too active in the campaign, that you were using your clout as a former leader to encourage people to vote for your son."
Dean Barrow, Former Party Leader
"Well, I don't know that that is so, but if it is so, what's wrong with that?"
Jules Vasquez
"People feel its an unfair advantage."
Dean Barrow, Former Party Leader
"Exactly so, how can that be an unfair advantage? Man, I earn my stripes, I serve as leader of the party for all these years, I was 3-time prime minister. Doesn't that entitled me to call in whatever chips I may have in support of my son?"
There were other former ministers also in support of his son
And indeed Shyne Barrow's power base seemed to be rooted in the north - including his campaign manager Tony Herrera. and first Deputy Hugo Patt. While Elodio Aragon walked with his Tracy shirt. And Frank Pawpa Mena wore black.
But the music played under the collet tent. And this former minister showed out with his dance moves.
Out on the street, it was like an Election Day atmosphere with scrutineers' tents and all. Probably more signs than there were delegates - and intense passion for the candidates:
Voter
"Do the right thing, you see it?"
And indeed, it was hard to tell who had the advantage:
Edmond Castro, Belize Rural North
"I think its a was very close election. I wouldn't say nobody will get a blowout by 50 or 100. I would nearly want to go between 3 to 5 - the thing close man, the thing close."
He would be prophetic - so close that by a few minutes after 3:00, both sides were declaring victory. And eventually stronger reports indicated that Shyne Barrow had won:
Tracy Taegar Panton
"The people have spoken and when the people have spoken, we must respect the people, simple as that."
But, that concessionary spirt would change soon:
Roosevelt Blades, Tracy's Campaign Manager
"I requested a recount; I was refused a recount. There were discrepancies in the counting process and I will not accept it."
Jules Vasquez
"So you don't feel that the greatest spirit of democracy was upheld here today?"
Roosevelt Blades
"There were certain discrepancies that I'm not happy with and that is my position."
That forced a quick meeting with the parties.
Tracy Taegar Panton
"Let's do the recount."
And they took that appeal to the chairman
But when Elrington went to tell Shyne the body language said it all - he seemed strongly against it - even as Elrington tried to appeal to him.
And when the chairman rejected the appeal - they went to hug up - some more explaining seemed to bring things closer to an accord. And the chairman made it official:
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman - UDP
"256 in favour of Hon. Barrow and 253 in favour of Hon. Panton."
Jules Vasquez
"There is some dispute about the outcome. I heard Roosevelt Blades say he is not being allowed a recount that he has asked for. What's your position on that?"
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman - UDP
"Well, we've had from early this morning gone through the process, we had the scrutineers come in, we explained everything to the representatives, watch the process, because at the end of the day the process will determine everything. The entire day we went through, both sides were happy with how the people came in, voted, deposited their ballots. When it was finished, the ballots were counted and when they were counted, nobody had any concerns about how the counting took place. So, then it wouldn't have made a difference. Thats the result - 256-253 already tells you how the party is divided. Its close no matter what. Thats the count. There was no discrepancy in the count except for maybe one ballot. Going either way wouldn't make a difference."
Jules Vasquez
"However, if it wouldn't have made a difference, why not just do it again, because its such a close outcome, you should exhaust all doubt, so that it is in doubtable because if the man is elected he may be stalked constantly by the fact that well we never win, we never got the recount etc."
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman - UDP
"Well, recount til when - 5 in the morning. I don't think any party will be satisfied with an outcome."
Jules Vasquez
"You just have to recount once though."
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman - UDP
"No, then they will say recount again and then recount again. We had a clean and fair polling day, we had a clean and fair count. Its close. When its close it hurts even more, I understand that, but I think just going through a process and then having emotions just ride over and over in a count that I don't think would make a difference, would be futile and not in the best interest of the party."
Jules Vasquez
"The leader of the UDP how does it feel, sir?"
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"I am extremely humbled and grateful and I definitely kudos for Hon. Panton for a hard-fought victory. She has proven herself as a formidable political force and we are shaking hands and we have agreed to work together for the interest of the United Democratic Party. Thank you to all the delegates that have given me their confidence today."
Jules Vasquez
"Extremely close outcome - 256-253."
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"You said I would lose, so the ugly win is a better result than a pretty lose."
Jules Vasquez
"You had significant advantages I feel in the campaign. You were able to campaign uninterrupted."
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"I overcame so many odds, so many historic possibilities that maybe people wanted to see Amia Mottley, maybe people wanted to see no more Barrow - all kind of things I overcome."
Jules Vasquez
"You're a global icon, Shyne, it should have been a blowout."
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"Not according to you and not according to some people. You know that I have more disadvantages because of my global currency that I operate in as you so eloquently put it and I have many disadvantages because of being a Barrow, because you know there is a faction - I don't want to get into negativity, let me stay positive."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you seriously commit yourself to the work of the party and not the work of global profiling, because sometimes we feel you get lost in the sauce."
Shyne Barrow, UDP Party Leader
"That is your opinion that has been shepherded by the PUP narrative and that is what we have, we have a battle of the narratives, so first you don't care about Belize, you never use to talk about Belize, now you are promoting Belize, you are doing a better job that the minister of tourism, now you are doing too much. Human beings are never satisfied and if I would listen to human beings like you and the PUP, I would not be the leader of the United Democratic Party right now. Thank you!"
