But while Saldivar can't claim the reins of the UDP, does the former party leader and prime minister, Dean Barrow, still wield power over the party's affairs? Peyrefitte answered that with a resounding no - adding that the UDP's business isn't his own anymore since he is retired. Here's how the chairman put it:
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, UDP
"I can assure that he does not, as I said before in a previous interview, the Right Honorable Dean Barrow is held in the highest of esteem however he is retired and gone, this is our UDP now and whatever we're going through we have to deal with it on our own. I can tell you for example, I have not spoken to him, I've not had a word with him concerning this process, because he knows and I know that he has no business in this, this is for us now to solve on our own, he definitely was a formidable figure within the UDP and when a person like that leaves, you will have things like this where for a while you struggle to get your feet so to speak, but I can assure you we are the ones solving it and trying to come to a solution on our own without those influences, they have retired, and they have all said, including himself and Mr Finnegan, all the veterans of the party, who always say we're here for advice and guidance if you ask for it but they won't interfere in this process, or I won't allow them to."
