New executive for U.D.P.

The United Democratic Party held their first National Convention under their new constitution on Sunday at the City Centre. A new executive was elected which retained Dean Barrow as Party Leader, brought Senator Oscar Ayuso in as first Deputy Leader and Carlos Castillo as second Deputy Leader. Douglas Singh was voted in as Chairman with Kevin Gonzalez as Vice Chairman. Among the resolutions passed was a call for a public statement from the government that they will respect the offices of the judiciary and reconsider the early retirement of permanent secretaries not on term contracts. The Prime Minister Said Musa had announced during his State of the Nation Speech last month that all permanent secretaries not under contract would be offered early retirement and that some would be re-employed as CEOs in the various ministries. The U.D.P. is characterizing this as political interference while the Prime Minister says it is an attempt to cut down on red tape in the public sector. In other party news U.D.P. Leader Dean Barrow commented in a radio interview that the party will now focus on the upcoming town board elections and then concentrate on selecting standard bearers for the various nationwide constituencies.