U.D.P.’s National Party Council to Discuss Caribbean Shores Convention, Candidates

We also asked the U.D.P.’s Deputy Leader Patrick Faber about the three-way race in the Caribbean Shores constituency. As we reported, Santiago Castillo Junior, who once represented the division, is returning to politics and wants his seat back. But it will not be without a fight as Senate President Lee Mark Chang and former Belize City councilor Leila Peyrefitte have also expressed interest in representing the people of Caribbean Shores under the red umbrella. According to Faber, in a meeting held on Wednesday, it was decided that the National Party Council will meet on Saturday to discuss whether there will be a contested convention or an endorsement convention.

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Deputy Leader, U.D.P.

“The party in its central executive meeting yesterday made a decision to take the issue of the Caribbean Shores back to the national party council which will meet on Saturday. On that occasion a decision will be made on what we will do about a convention in Caribbean Shores. I want people to be careful when I say convention it does not have to be a voting convention. There must be a convention to endorse a candidate. If there is a contest it is the winner of that contest that is endorsed. If not, then the party endorses one candidate. So on Saturday what we will do is decided on whether we will endorse or reopen or do whatever decision is made in that meeting on Saturday. Santino Castillo is a friend of mine. We’ve heard as well that Lee Mark Chang is considering putting in his name. I know so for a fact. Leila Peyrefitte, they are all wonderful candidates and I think the party would be lucky to have any one of them in the seat. So I am going to say that I am happy, I will be happy to see a convention happen.”

Hipolito Novelo

“A contested convention?”

Patrick Faber

“Contested convention is that is the case to see who is the best person. I also stand behind any decision our party makes on Saturday.”