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It was an important event first, to see whom if anyone would boycott, and second, to hear what he'd have to say. We can answer the first question easier than the second. So we'll go to that now, as our camera was outside the Party's Headquarters on Queen Street:..

Jules Vasquez reporting
The members of the national executive filed in right on time. This time immediate past leader Said Musa did show. Communications director Narda Garcia was there as well as National Campaign Manager Eamon Courteajy and National Strategic Development Manager, Luke Espat, followed by Chairman Henry Charles Usher who also missed the last meeting.

Corozal southeast Representative Florencio Marin was present for this meeting, Senior Deputy Leader Cordel Hyde was also there and the chairman of the eastern caucus, Anthony Mahler was there as well. He told us about his group's meeting last night:

Jules Vasquez
"For the avoidance of doubt chairman, the Eastern Caucus has voted almost unanimously in support."

Anthony Mahler - Chair - Eastern Caucus
"Yes eleven of twelve constituencies voted in favor of Mark Espat being the next part leader for the People's United Party, including Fort George. The Northern Caucus is to meet on Saturday as far as I understand it and they will decide as well."

Rowland Parks, reporter
"That is the only one that is outstanding?"

Anthony Mahler - Chair - Eastern Caucus
"Yes."

So three of four of the party's caucuses have supported Espat but Arthur Saldivar is undeterred. He was late to the meeting - and first to leave, is typically dramatic fashion he told us he had to rush to court.

Arthur Saldivar, Aspirant Party Leader
"This is not a policy against anyone. It is the recognition that there is the need for us to put the ideas on the table to move the country forward and to give the people of Belize the chance to vet those ideas before an election."

Jules Vasquez
"But the odds are stock against you. Are you still running for leader? The Eastern Caucus has spoken eleven of twelve."

Arthur Saldivar, Aspirant Party Leader
"Listen to me, the odds from birth is stack against us. Of 500 million only one succeed to actually conceive life. I am a winner from birth."

Rowland Parks, reporter
"It has been mention before in the media that you have no experience, you are untested in terms of any governmental posting as a minister or a senator. You've never sat in the House of Representatives. How can you possible expect to lead the People's United Party."

Arthur Saldivar, Aspirant Party Leader
"That's inconsequential and insignificant. At the end of the day if Boots Martinez wins one hundred elections that does not make him a brilliant person. At the end of the day we require someone who is serious and we require serious people in politics."

Jules Vasquez
"But Arthur the Easter and Western Caucus have spoken. They are unanimous - universal except for one in the Eastern Caucus did not give his support for Mr. Espat. The game is over."

Arthur Saldivar, Aspirant Party Leader
"There is no game. The business of the people is no game Jules. I am somewhat shock that you find it to be such...."

Jules Vasquez
"It's a numbers game."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"Only your caucus has supported you, you have no other support, absolutely one. You stand alone."

Arthur Saldivar, Aspirant Party Leader
"Well the caucuses are made up of standard bearers. But the People's United Party is made up of members, there are delegates that must vote and a victory is defined in various ways."

And while it is unclear if Saldivar will continue to pursue what looks to be a moribund candidacy. We know that everyone who came out of the meeting told us it was good and productive.

Even so the interim leader declined an interview - only to say that the 19thl had been set for nominations, the 29th. for a national party council and November fifth for a national convention if there is a contest for leader.

Interestingly he has not said plainly that he will offer himself as a candidate for leader.

We weren't allowed in to hear the meeting, but we are told that Espat gave a sobering review of the party's finances: according to reports, it is millions of dollars in debt.

With that, and despite today's Belize Times headline declaring a landslide of support for Espat, he still has not said that he will offer himself as Party Leader. If he will, his name has to be in by Wednesday October 19th.

Still, support for his leadership remains almost unanimous within the party, and the Northern Caucus will meet this weekend to decide whom it will support.