Every night on the news, there's some story or the other about the three way race for the leadership of the PUP. And while the PUP has a fierce 6 weeks ahead until their convention is held on January 31st., the UDP's time is coming as well. Dean Barrow - who has led the UDP since 1998 - has reached his three term limit as Prime Minister, and he has made it clear that he will be retiring from electoral politics. So, who will lead the UDP? The battle is a few years away, but the positioning ahs already started, Most within the party seem to agree that the contenders are John Saldivar, Patrick Faber and Gaspar Vega. Apart from controlling one of the most influential Ministries Saldivar has built up a strong - but clearly not invincible - UDP base in the capital as a 4 term representative. Today we asked point blank, will he vie for party leader?
Hon. John Saldivar
"I don't know that one can vie for a position. It's a position where someone gets chosen and so it's a matter of what the party decides whenever that time come who they decide to choose."
Reporter
"You have any intention maybe to approach them saying I've been very steadfast in Belmopan bringing Belmopan for the UDP. Don't that deserve a chance?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"In other words, if I am chosen yes, I am happy to serve."
Saldivar increased his margin in Belmopan from 218 votes in 2012, to 757 in 2015.
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