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Singh Says Moya-Flowers Is Water Under The Bridge
posted (July 7, 2010)
And we had to halve that interview on Moya because we also wanted to ask Singh about the expulsion of Zenaida Moya in his capacity as chairman of the UDP. Singh told us that we're free to revisit it as we will, but Zeniada Moya Flowers is in the UDP's rearview mirror.

Hon. Doug Singh, Minister of Police
"I understand Mayor Moya's position. As a matter of fact I need to meet with the mayor just to discuss her position. I don't not believe that the United Democratic Party is adverse to reconciling with Mayor Moya. I think it will take some time certainly but we have to start that step somewhere down the road. The Mayor in her letter expresses that she feels that penalties were harsh. She said that she accepts that she has made some mistakes and that she has recognized that the party in the past has expelled members and has subsequently reconciled with them and she hopes that that avenue is open to her. Certainly the avenue is open to anybody who wants to become a member of a party and who has been and wishes to reconcile with the party. But I think we also have to look at the reasons why that occurred and ensure that the individual will work for the best interests of the party."

Jules Vasquez
"Did the UDP take legal advice on how it should proceed with that letter which came as you said 35 days after - and not 30 - and in which she did not formally rebut the points of an expulsion."

Hon. Doug Singh
"The UDP sought legal advice. The UDP has a legal counsel and sought legal advice through the entire process of this exercise. The fact that she did not appeal within the period and the fact that the letter cannot be perceived to be an appeal letter, I think this puts us where we are."

Jules Vasquez
"However my point very specifically is..."

Doug Singh
"Your point was: did we seek a legal opinion? And I said, yes, we did every step of the way."

Jules Vasquez
"Including on your interpretation of the letter being over time and not qualifying strictly as the letter of appeal?"

Hon. Doug Singh
"Well, first of all even it was a letter of appeal, the fact that it was over the time would be neither here nor there because she was, according to the constitution, she had a certain period."

Jules Vasquez
"But in the interest of justice, should she not have had a chance to make a presentation before the national party council?"

Hon. Doug Singh
"She was given a chance. She was given a chance to appeal, she was given chances the whole process of the expelling involve several stages where she couldn't make representation. I don't know what the point is in respect with all the questions because its water under the bridge at this point in time. But if it's just for your airing, you may disagree with our process but that's what it is."

Jules Vasquez
"Is there a political risk that the UDP takes, because according to those who speak for her Mayor Moya will continue to be a UDP although the party may have expel her. Is there a risk that she is now a sort of free radical insofar as she can go make public endorsements and say, "You know what, I am Zenaida Moya, a UDP, however I stand against the party on so, so and so."

Hon. Doug Singh
"The nature of a political party is that it takes political risks. Is this one of them may be your question? Maybe, you are aware that the Hon. Bernard Pitts was expelled from the United Democratic Party he is now a minister of government."

Jules Vasquez
"Well that seems to speak against the wisdom of expulsion."

Hon. Doug Singh
"Not necessarily, expulsion is a form of discipline within a party."

Jules Vasquez
"I have to laugh. How can expulsion be a form of discipline?"

Hon. Doug Singh
"It is in the constitution. The level of disciplinary action that can be taken, but the party does not close the door. Political parties have to be dynamic. They have to move on, circumstances change, leadership changes. The objective of a political party is to win elections. Really it's not to govern well, it's to win elections."

Jules Vasquez
"And Zenaida Moya is excellent at that even when the media, the party, everyone went against her, she still won the election at the convention level."

Hon. Doug Singh
"But the party must exercise its right to take its disciplinary actions when it feel that something that was done was not right and to do so. I personally think she still has a political future and I think the party believe that she has a political future whether that is within the United Democratic Party is a different issue that is a chapter yet to be written."

Tune in tomorrow when we'll have more form minister Singh as he speaks on pressing police matters including the future of Commissioner Crispin Jeffries.

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