First woman elected to head major political party

BELMOPAN (CMC):

Tracy Taegar-Panton has been sworn in as the first ever woman to lead the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) as the party seeks to end the internal divisions that have plagued it in recent months.

“The magnitude of the responsibility does not escape me. I have tried to be sober. While I’m super excited for Belize I’m excited for the party. I think that the reset is necessary, and I do believe that we have an opportunity to rebuild and restore the trust and the confidence of the people, and that’s really what it’s about,” Taegar-Panton said.

Her elevation to the position follows months of legal wrangling with former party leader, Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, resulting in Taegar-Panton launching her Alliance for Democracy within the UDP and a court battle in which Barrow was successful.

But as he stepped down from the leadership position, Barrow said he was engaging himself in the “peaceful” transfer of power.

“I pray that the creator imparts her with the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and political will to execute effective strategies in the processes of our United Democratic Party so that we can enter the halls of the Sir Cane building once more when the next general elections are called,” Barrow added.

Taegar-Panton, who became the first woman ever to lead a major political party here, had won her seat in the March general elections, while Barrow was unsuccessful