And going back now to the Leader of the Opposition, last week we told you that he finally reached some level of truce with Collet area rep, Patrick Faber. They were once opponents gunning for the party leader seat, with Barrow finally claiming it, before kicking Faber out of his standard bearer seat in Collet. Faber retaliated by staging a protest outside of a UDP press conference and declaring he would still be running in Collet.
But all of that is behind them now, or at least for right now. And according to Barrow, it took a lot of behind the scenes work for Faber to reclaim his place as Collet standard bearer.
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"As I've consistently stated to the media and to the UDP national party council, it has been a commitment of mine to resolve that matter to everyone's satisfaction. I have been working behind the scene since last year, since becoming party leader, it is a work in progress, it was a work in progress that led us to this point where all parties involved felt comfortable enough, in particular Mr Jones, felt comfortable enough that we are in a turning point that would see us move forward together, united, focused on all of the national urgent matters and having a democratic process internally where people can express their dissenting views, their differing perspectives but protecting the integrity and reputation of the institution by always prioritizing public interest over whatever personal matter may arise from have differing viewpoint internally."
"So I spoke to, as I stated, Mr Faber, Honorable Hugo Patt, Honorable Tracy Panton at the chambers of the House of Representatives and I went back to Mr Jones to convince him that we were at a point where we could move forward with everyone understanding what the true objective is. And the true objective is being a strong opposition that will focus all of its energy on the People's United Party and the many failings of the current government."
"I was not just giving lip service, I was trying It was a delicate balance because you don't want to apply too much pressure, you don't want to be desperate and you don't want to just give a false projection of something that will not be sustainable."
But one of the reasons Faber had trouble holding on to his party leader title in the first place were the allegations of domestic violence made against him. It's a recurring problem, which has stained not only his reputation, but the UDP's as well. So we asked Barrow - who has also faced such a charge - if he has spoken to Faber about the matter.
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"The Honourable Faber has been dealing with that issue from the time he resigned, maybe before then and he has reported to the public on many occasions that he has working on himself and he continues to try to be the best version of himself, not just for himself but for his children and for the many people that love him and the many people that support him in Collet and I take him at his word, I do believe that he's trying to sort out whatever personal issue may have led to certain behaviour and I pray for him, we all pray for him as a party and we wish that he has gotten to a point where he is satisfied that there will be no other reoccurring issues like that. I'm confident that he has atoned and he has demonstrated contrition and willingness to identify what it is and work on what it is and try to be the best version of himself, not just for himself but for everyone that loves him, especially his family and the people in Collet."
