U.D.P. Convention, Will Status Quo Remain?
Dean Barrow
While all eyes are on the P.U.P.’s leadership race, set for January thirty-first, there’s another looming political event. The U.D.P. will have its own National Convention on March twentieth, and the top positions are up for grabs. There are undoubtedly those who are chafing at the bit, including Gaspar Vega, John Saldivar and Patrick Faber, but political wisdom is that nobody’s going to be contesting Barrow at this time. Today we spoke to the PM and his Deputy. Vega told us that nobody’s rushing to get rid of his boss.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“The deadline for the submission of application I believe is next Friday. I don’t know who has formally applied and who has not. What’s up for re-election – party leadership, deputy party leadership first and second, Chairman and Vice-Chairman. I am not aware at this point of who all may have applied and of course there is still a week to go, so even if I knew what names have been submitted so far that wouldn’t be conclusive because as I said you still have a full seven days more.”
Reporter
“Are you at this time contemplating a challenge for Party Leader, that’s one…and are you anticipating a challenge for Deputy Leadership?”
Gaspar Vega
Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister
“I can’t really answer either one. I don’t know what other people are contemplating. I can tell you that I am not contemplating to challenge the leader at this moment, and if there is anybody contemplating my seat I really don’t know as yet. I think we have until next week Friday five o’clock in the evening.”
Reporter
“But seven days from now…you would think you would have gotten some indication that there are some people that are interested.”
Gaspar Vega
“It’s difficult. Really it’s difficult to say. I don’t want to be seen like I am not being sincere, it’s just difficult to say. I have not felt any real…I don’t know of anyone out there campaigning openly as yet.”
Reporter
“Sir…would you be willing to share with us why you don’t want to vie for leadership of the U.D.P. at this current moment?”
Gaspar Vega
“Because I think our leader is doing a great job. I don’t see the use of me challenging him at the moment. Everybody knows that this has to be Prime Minister’s last term because he can only be there for three terms. Until then we have enough time I think. There’s no use in us rushing and asking the Prime Minister to leave before his time.”
