And in other news - we asked Chairman Peyrefitte to comment on the latest developments in the UDP.
A release from the caucus for change says, quote, "The Caucus For Change, a loose affiliation of over seventeen constituency leaders from the United Democratic Party, met over the weekend with Party Leader Hon. Dr. Shyne Barrow.
All in attendance agreed to put disagreements aside and join forces to address the urgent issues facing our nation. In this regard, and to send a clear signal of unity, the Caucus has suggested that a National Party Council meeting be convened on April 1, 2023 to give an opportunity to unite around our Party Leader Hon. Shyne Barrow." End quote.
Another document from the UDP gives notice of a National Party Council meeting on Saturday, April 1, 2023 when they will have a Constitution Reform Special Convention and pass a resolution to, quote, "forgo Party Leader Convention scheduled for March 27th, 2024 until after the next General Elections in the interest of Party Unity and Stability."
Chairman Peyrefitte was out of the country and missed all that. We asked him about it today:
Mike Peyrefitte, Chairman, UDP
"And if you have a body of people who decide that they want to proposed something to the NPC to vote on to say in the interest of whatever, then they want to take that position for the party, then that's fine. We did it for the Hon. Dean Barrow, we did it for several people when we believe that taking a step for certain things would be in the best interest of the party. The party is free to vote on that. It's just a matter of time before we come together and be the UDP again. Anything that drives towards more unity and the coming together of the party is completely fine by me. So, if you have factions that are at odds and they decide to make certain alliances in the sake of unity and best interest of the party, I would have no issue with that. How can anybody have issue with that?"
Jules Vasquez
"But then, do you have issue with the caucus also discussing the idea of initiating talks between all parties that would see the return of Hon. Patrick Faber in the Collet constituency? Is this something that you think should be on the table? We know that you spoke out when charges had emerged against Mr. Faber in January of last year."
The caucus for change release also talks about "the return of Patrick Faber in the Collet constituency."
The Chairman wasn't so sure:
Jules Vasquez
"Would you be agreeable or do you think it is sensible or practical to reverse, rewind the whole tape and then return to a state where, so Patrick Faber is back?"
Mike Peyrefitte, Chairman, UDP
"Well, that would be part of the discussion that we would have. However, we're talking in a vacuum, Its academic. We have a candidate for Collet and that's Ian Jones."
