Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega is stepping down. Reliable reports from within the UDP tell us that Vega has communicated with the Prime Minister that he is stepping down as Deputy PM, and he has also reportedly written to the Party Secretariat saying that he will not offer himself as First Deputy Party Leader when the party has its convention in 11 days. Now, we stress: these are just reports and there is no confirmation from either Prime Minister Dean Barrow – who did not respond to our question via text message, or the Party Chairman Alberto August who is at a meeting in the UK, and told us he's heard no such thing. Vega could not be reached for comment.

But, multiple sources close to Vega confirm that he will step down – and plans only to serve out his term, meaning he would not contest his Orange Walk North seat where he is a three term representative.

If there reports are accurate – and assuming it's not some kind of ploy to gain some leverage internally – it would suggest a profound rift in the UDP and the Barrow Cabinet. Vega was effectively demoted when the UDP won its third term. He lost the all-powerful Ministry of Natural Resources, and was left only with the Ministry of Agriculture. We'll keep following the story of what at this time remains an unconfirmed report.