Earlier in the news, we shared the contents of the letter that Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow sent to the Speaker of the House, trying to get Tracy Panton and Patrick Faber to be considered as resigned members of the UDP.
Well the speaker wrote him back on Monday saying basically "no-go"; Faber and Panton aren't going anywhere.
She says, quote, "While I recognize your letter refers to the members for the Albert and Collet constituencies as being deemed by your political party as "constructively resigned", 59A(1) (of the constitution) clearly refers to the members informing of their resignation. The Constitution does not cite the internal political party mechanisms of deeming members of their party elected to the House of Representatives as having "constructively resigned"; therefore, 59A(1) has not been met."
She then adds that they cannot vacate their seat because, quote, "My office has not received any notice of resignation by either member. On the contrary, in the public domain, both members have stated they have not resigned from their political party."
Madam Speaker tidily concludes, quote, "Having considered the content of your letter and the pronouncements made in the public domain by the members for the Albert and Collet constituencies that they have not resigned; I am not satisfied that the circumstances referred to in section 59(2)(e) exist. Therefore, I will not be making any declarations at the next Sitting of the House of Representatives on vacating of seats by the Members for the Albert and Collet constituencies."
So, long story short, on Friday, you should expect to see Panton and Faber right there on the UDP bench.
