Accusing UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte of hijacking the party, 2nd Deputy Leader Beverley Williams denounced his decision to reject a petition for a National Convention, calling it an act of “totalitarianism.”
“Dear Chairman, I refer to your letter [of August 5th] wherein you have denied our duly signed petition for a National Convention to be convened,” wrote Williams. “Please know that you have absolutely no authority under the Party’s constitution to reject our request.”
Williams proceed to argue that the “Constitution provides no discretionary powers to” the Chairman to reject their petition. “Your decision is contemptuous of the Constitution and is an act of totalitarianism tantamount to a highjacking of our beloved Party,” she added. “We will not allow this decision to stand and will take whatever actions necessary to force your compliance with the Party’s constitution.”
The UDP’s 2nd Deputy was responding to Peyrefitte’s in a letter dated August 5, 2024. Peyrefitte, via that letter, responded to Williams' initial request, arguing that convening a National Convention would deepen divisions within the party and distract from addressing the PUP government’s failures.
He emphasized the National Party Council's endorsement of current officials until the next General Elections, stressing the need for unity and stability.
Peyrefitte outlined several key points in his rebuttal. He stated that the National Party Council (NPC) had decided, and the National Convention (NC) had affirmed on August 13, 2023, that the current Party Officials be endorsed until the next General Elections to ensure unity and certainty.
Revisiting this decision, he argued, would waste valuable time and resources. He highlighted the impracticality of holding a National Convention, stating that if officials were re-elected, it would waste 180 days, and if new officials were elected, they would have insufficient time to prepare for the upcoming elections.
Furthermore, Peyrefitte stressed that the party should focus on real issues affecting the country, such as national debt, oil prices, crime, and the cost of living, rather than internal conflicts. He pointed out that the NPC had effectively suspended sections of the Constitution dealing with the election of Party Officials to ensure leadership issues were behind them, and emphasized that only an absolute emergency or egregious act by officials would justify revisiting the decision.
In her August 6, 2024, response, Williams condemned Peyrefitte's rejection of the petition, asserting that he overstepped his constitutional authority. She stressed the requirement for the convention and stated that actions would be taken to ensure compliance with the party’s constitution. Williams argued that Peyrefitte's decision was contemptuous of the Constitution and tantamount to a hijacking of the party.
Peyrefitte concluded his letter by urging Williams and other party members to unite against the PUP, stating that the energy spent on internal conflicts should be directed towards holding the government accountable for its failures. He mentioned the rising national debt, high oil prices despite global decreases, and ongoing crime and cost of living crises as key areas where the UDP should concentrate its efforts.
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