On Sunday the UDP will have its national convention in Dangriga. It's expected to go smoothly since it's an endorsement convention, meaning no one is challenging for any of the executive posts. But the image of cohesiveness will have a huge gaping hole because there's no First Deputy Leader! Gaspar Vega resigned from that post a week ago and we are told he might not even attend Sunday's convention.
So, that election for the all important #2 seat in the party will be held later in the year - and all expectations are that it will be hotly contested. But, not as hotly as
previously expected - and that's because second deputy Erwin Contreras will not challenge for it after all. Over the weekend his camp said that he would go for first Deputy. They may have expected a nod of support from the Prime Minister since Contreras's ascension would be the least divisive choice, but it seems none was forthcoming. And, not wanting to enter a three-way race against Patrick Faber and John Saldivar, Contreras has stepped back. He will be endorsed as second Deputy on Sunday and continue his long service in that, the third highest post in the party executive.
On Sunday the UDP will have its national convention in Dangriga. It's expected to go smoothly since it's an endorsement convention, meaning no one is challenging for any of the executive posts. But the image of cohesiveness will have a huge gaping hole because there's no First Deputy Leader! Gaspar Vega resigned from that post a week ago and we are told he might not even attend Sunday's convention.