The UDP will hold its national convention on Sunday in San Ignacio town and the party expects a fierce contest for the posts of first deputy and party chairman.
The first deputy race is between frontrunners standard bearer for Orange Walk North Gaspar Vega and standard bearer for Caribbean Shores Carlos Perdomo. It is the most heated because in the view of the party faithful, it is the race to see who will be Deputy Prime Minister when elections are called.
Perdomo has gone for the political equivalent of a royal flush from his deck, garnering a glowing endorsement from former Party Leader Manuel Esquivel, while Vega has secured a slightly more ravishing endorsement from a slightly less stellar personality, former Minister Elodio Aragon.
The contest for Chairman is perhaps as fierce with John Saldivar challenging current Chairman Doug Singh.
While it is believed that Party Leader Barrow prefers Vega and Singh, party insiders suggest that even a subtle nod from the leadership does not ensure victory. From what we have been able to glean form those party insiders, there are no sure things and pressurized campaigning to standard bearers and individual delegates will continue up to Saturday night.
All that makes for an event which is sure to be the most interesting political convention since the PUP's leadership battle in 1996. Whoever wins, the party hopes to emerge united and it has announced a feel-good press conference for Monday afternoon.
