A press release from the Prime Minister's Office announced that Barrow left the country today to go see the doctor for his ailing back. He returns on Tuesday - and - until then - in what is considered to be a very surprising choice - Patt has been named acting PM.

Patt is the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities. We assume - but could not confirm that Deputy Patrick Faber is out of the country or otherwise unavailable. But it seems that with the delicate balance of power in the UDP, the PM chose to pass over the previous backup, John Saldivar - who is a rival of Deputy Faber.

Still, in terms of Cabinet seniority, Patt is way down on the ladder - so we presume the PM's choice of an acting PM is some sort of specific reward for the two term representative and first-time Minister - or, some sort of signal to his Cabinet seniors.