But the road to the UDP's number two seat is not that straightforward. Long – time second Deputy Erwin Contreras is reportedly interested in the post.
And While Faber talks about his record in the Ministry of Education, Contreras has his own in the UDP - serving as 2
nd
Deputy for over a decade. We asked Faber if this presents any concerns for him. He said no, but conceded that it does raise the question of ethnicity.
Courtney Weatherburne
"Dynamics have changed in terms of Erwin Contreras. He has expressed his interest in this position, given that he is the second deputy; he has
experience, seniority as well. Does that present somewhat of a threat for you?"
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"Well I wouldn't say a threat but I would that if Mr. Contreras enters the race the age old argument of course has been pulled out before comes a
factor. Mr. Saldivar and I are both of Creole descent if you will and Mr. Contreras is a Hispanic and so as people know in Belize we are still not
quite at that stage where it doesn't matter what your skin colour is. And so we have traditionally in the UDP try to balance the power, both ethnically
and geographically and so yes his entrance would put that as a factor in the convention."
Courtney Weatherburne
"Some people might say that naturally it should go to Contreras because he has all these years' experience, the seniority, over 15 years I believe
being a second deputy. Shouldn't it naturally go to him?"
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"Well no, there are others of us who have been there and we all have our strengths and our weaknesses. There are certain strengths that I might bring
to the table that Mr. Saldivar doesn't have. There are certain strengths that Mr. Contreras bring to the table that he might not have what other people
have. So it's just presenting ourselves to the party and then to have the party make that decision as best a democratic process as we have now."
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