Hugo Patt is Content Being Deputy Prime Minister
In four short days, the internal chaos in the Barrow administration and the United Democratic Party has brought embarrassment and humiliation. With the resignation of John Saldivar from Cabinet on Thursday and his removal as leader elect of the U.D.P., there is a leadership void to be filled in the U.D.P.’s succession plan. A majority of area representatives and standard bearers who supported Saldivar in the National Party Convention are turning to Deputy Prime Minister Hugo Patt as their candidate of choice going forward. But the Corozal North Area Representative and Minister of Natural Resources won by the biggest margin at the U.D.P. national convention, but he’s content with being the second in the command of the ruling party, which leaves the top seat vacant. Is the U.D.P. now willing to look at former Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber as its future leader? Earlier today, we spoke with DPM Patt who said that notwithstanding his brief stints as Acting Prime Minister, he is not as yet prepared to take up the mantle in a full-time capacity.
Isani Cayetano
“What for you is perhaps the biggest lesson learned in all of what has happened over the past several weeks?”
On the Phone: Hugo Patt, Deputy Prime Minister
“I agree that there will be, there would have to be some sort of regulations, if I may call it that way, for us to be able to have a more open and transparent way in how our parties get funding. As I said, as we speak right now, the nature of politics is basically that, solicitation of funds, as you would have genuine people who are willing to support political parties, you would have people, like in the case of Lev Dermen that were really engaged in illicit activities and so I think going forward that is something that we would have to look at.”
Isani Cayetano
“It would seem now that in the wake of Minister Saldivar’s resignation that perhaps a majority of those who supported him are now turning to you, if you would accept a bid for leadership of the United Democratic Party. Is that a consideration on your part at this point?”
On the Phone: Hugo Patt
“I submitted my name as a candidate for the position of first deputy party leader. I am thankful for all the support that I received and I thank God for being supported this opportunity and I am now the first deputy party leader of the U.D.P. and that’s about as much as I can say today.”
Isani Cayetano
“You have, however, gotten your feet wet in the driver’s seat, in a manner of speaking. The PM has left the country on previous occasions and has left you in charge of running the affairs of the nation. Is that any ,indication that perhaps it’s something that you would want to take up?”
On the Phone: Hugo Patt
“Isani, as a village boy, like I am being sold out, if I could say, by some of the media houses, I don’t think that it is a responsibility or a duty that I would run away from. Certainly, governing a country would require for me or for any candidate to make sure that you have your own advisors and the right type of people in different capacities to be able to govern. I don’t think any president, any prime minister would be a one woman show or a one man. You have to have a team of advisors to be able to run a country and so that is my two cents in this particular case.”
