Finally, on Sunday, the UDP will hold its convention to select a new first deputy leader. Now, we stress it's only first deputy - but from the way they've been campaigning you'd think that the winner would automatically become the Prime Minister, or something. And he won't - but he will probably become Deputy Prime Minister, and then party leader, and somewhere down the road, if the political fortunes align, he could be Prime Minister. But we're not there yet. Not even close. So why are John Saldivar and Patrick Faber campaigning with such unbridled intensity? And for the votes of about 300 delegates!? Yes, 300 - that's all the winner will need to become first deputy leader. All these ads to get the votes of 300 UDP's!? Today we asked aspirant Faber if they are going over the top:..
Daniel Ortiz
"Are you ready for what supposed to come?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, Aspirant - UDP 1st Deputy
"Ready. I've done all that I can do. I will continue working of course right up until the last ballot is put in that box on Sunday. But I am very confident of a win and that is because I have done the ground work that is necessary. I have been in the homes of the delegates, I have met with the groups, I have communicated my message as I vie for this position of first deputy leader of the party. I tell people that for me, while it is that the position of deputy prime minister may come, the people already know my record of working as a government minister. They know my work in that regard, but I also have a serious passion for the organization of the party."
Daniel Ortiz
"One of the possible outcomes is that you may be defeated by John Saldivar. If that happens, how do you move forward and will you rally behind him?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, Aspirant - UDP 1st Deputy
"I am hasten to point out that that is highly unlikely will be the case. But on the minor chance that it does happen, yes, John Saldivar is a very good friend of mine. I keep on saying that to people. Yes, there are little tensions as is the case with all races, but he and I will continue to be friends. If that small chance becomes a reality that he in fact wins on Sunday, he will have my full support as the first deputy leader of the party and we will mend whatever needs to be mended and get back on track of governing the country, but also building a party, so that we can make that fourth historic term."
The convention is on Sunday at ITVET, and 7News will be there. You can see updates on our Facebook page, and of course we'll have the full blow by blow account on Monday's news with the expected level of granularity.
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