Email

Print

They both launched their campaigns today, and yesterday, we got a chance hear both make their political pitch:

Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"I believe that my biggest strength has to be my performance as area representative for Belmopan and what I've been able to deliver for my people in my constituency - something I would want to see happen in other constituencies and I am sure that as deputy leader I would be able to influence that process. Other than that, I believe I've done an okay job as Minister of National Security and with my colleagues we get along well and I expect that they are going to give me that nod."

Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"My record of working in this party and building relationships and taking care of the people in this party is great and that is the primary foundation upon which I will lead my campaign. But as all know, it will also signal once you become the deputy leader, that you are also the deputy prime minister. And assisting the Prime Minister in the work of the government is also very key and so my work, again, will speak for itself and that is the basis upon which I will bank. The work of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture is very important work. I believe that I've delivered well on these fronts and so I am asking people for a support for something much larger."

By our count, there are about 650 delegates in the party - and so the successful candidate would need about 33 delegates to win. Today Patrick Faber launched his candidacy via a press conference and said that he already has that number. We're still editing that story so you can see it at the end of the newscast.

We'll tell you about that, but yesterday, we asked the Prime Minister if he's worried that the feud over the vacant position could bring further disunity to his party. He said better now, when he's around to fix it than in 2020 when he will not be present to play mediator:

Daniel Ortiz
"Is it a concern for you that the combat that must take place between them for this second convention will caused a rift in the party?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Party Leader, UDP
"No. I am sure there will be some bruise feelings and wounds that will be opened up. But better now than in 2020 or later 2019 when I go. There would need to be a convention for leader at that time. My sense is that most people see what's going to happen now as a kind of dry run for 2019 or 2020 and I think the hope is that whoever wins now, will be seen as having a lock on 2020 and that might actually result in our avoiding having another convention. If that's how it turns out, so much the better. Let us have the fight now and let us have therefore years after the fight takes place, to heal all wounds."

So, either of the two candidates who wins this convention in the few months could become Barrow's replacement in 4 years from now. That person could become the next Prime Minister, and so, we asked them about their aspiration for the highest elected office:

Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"What I will campaign on of course is firstly my record of commitment to this party. This is first a party matter and of course we want leadership that can lead this party into the next term, the next historic move that we will make is that fourth consecutive victory and so that has got to be paramount at what we do in terms of the election of our party's leader. Of course you know down the road in 2020. There will be what I referred to as the "big dance" and so I intend as well to contest for the leadership of the party and so I see this as a kind of stepping stone."

Reporter
"How can you expect to be prime minister when you are not readily available to the media?"

Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"I am not sure I agree with you that that's a weakness. But yes, I am sure that given my new role, if it is granted to me that I will certainly have to make myself more available to the media. But I have all other ways in staying in touch with my constituency and now I'll have to find other ways in staying in touch with the entire country."

Reporter
"Mr. Faber has expressed interest in that seat as well. Do you feel that this is something that's going to divide the party?"

Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"Absolutely not. I don't see that it is going to be anything that is going to be divisive. Minister Faber and I are longtime friends, we remained good friends. This is a healthy contest, a healthy challenge."