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And while the PUP will move on in Orange Walk East – Marco Tulio Mendez's departure has to be examined in its wider political context.

Mendez, like Cayo North Representative Joseph Mahmud who sent the PUP his letter announcing his resignation as standard bearer a few weeks ago, will stay on, as what's known in political jargon, as a "lame duck" area representative.

It's not an encouraging picture for the PUP: because the departure of these tow elected representatives brings to three the total number of PUP standard bearers who've been removed or resigned since September. Today we asked the Leader of the Opposition about the importance of appearances when it comes to losing viable candidates:

Daniel Ortiz

"Is this a reflection on your party's current stability? Can it be taken as a reflection of your leadership, that there is something inherently wrong with it?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition

"No, not at all. If you examine the cases of Dr. Mendez, Joseph Mahmud, those were personal reason sited. I have very good relation with both men, they have supported my leadership throughout my tenure. I have absolutely no reason to second guess their decision. I support their decision, I respect their decision and I feel very comfortable and confident as the leader of the PUP. That I enjoy the unanimous support of the representatives but these things happen in political parties. I'm quite sure before the political season is over, we'll have more candidates on both sides of the fence. You all are talking about what is happening in the PUP but i'm confident before the season is over you'll have candidates on both sides of the fence saying that they are not going to seek re-election."

Daniel Ortiz

"Elvin Penner is a perfect example of a lame duck area rep who sits in his position as an elected representative but isn't contributing to the countries development and to serve his people in any kind of official capacity, he's just there as a placeholder. The perception is that's the same thing that Dr. Mendez and Mr. Mahmud is doing and isn't that counterproductive to a democracy?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca

"What a terrible comparison. Anybody who knows Dr. Tulio Mendez or Joseph Mahmud would never compare them to Elvin Penner. The problem with Penner is his silence is commanded silence. He's been told not to speak or to say or do anything by his party. In our case, Dr. Mendez and Joseph Mahmud has both expressed their full support for the parties work moving forward. As you know Penner has been banished to a corner of the National Assembly. So he effectively doesn't participate in the work of the UDP cacaos; But certainly Dr. Mendez and Joseph Mahmud will participate fully in the work of our cacaos, they will contribute to that work and you will see on Tuesday, in the national assembly that they will be participating in the debate and discussion."