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Things are really heating up in the UDP as we get closer to Friday. And that’s because Friday is the deadline for candidates to submit their names to fill executive posts in the February 2020 national convention.  

Today, there were two notable submissions.  First, Belize Rural South Representative Manuel Junior Heredia submitted his name for the post of Second Deputy.  So, that means he is now challenging Belize Rural Central's Beverly Williams who had submitted her name for the same position on Tuesday.

Heredia is a long time and ardent supporter of Deputy Leader Patrick Faber, while  Williams has publicly stated that she is part of John Saldivar’s slate. 

Another notable figure advertised as part of that slate is Clifford Peters, the UDP’s Dangriga constituency chairman.  He today submitted his name to vie for the post of Deputy Chairman of the UDP.  

We learned of this through a posting on John Saldivar’s Facebook page - which proudly advertises him as a member of Team Saldivar. 

But, today, Boss P - as Peters is known - called the media to UDP headquarters to say, “nutton not got soh:â€￾

Clifford Peters, "Boss P" - Chairman, UDP Dangriga
"Well I'm running independent for the candidacy of the vice chairman. That position to me is important that you are not sure to pick sides, in Dangriga that has usually divided us in the past."

Jules Vasquez
"So are you on team Saldivar?"

Clifford Peters
"No sir, I'm running independently."

Reporter
"How did your name get on team Saldivar’s slate?"

Clifford Peters
"Well me and the minister, Mr. Mena are back united."

Jules Vasquez
"So is the Mena committee of which you are chair, is that committee in support of John Saldivar or Patrick Faber?"

Clifford Peters
"I cannot speak for him but you could give him a call and you could ask him."

Jules Vasquez
"But you are the chairman man."

Reporter
"We're asking about the committee, not about the contestant."

Clifford Peters
"Yeah, but the chairman and the area representative standalone a part from the delegates that the minister picks. In the last election, I showed full support for Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Faber and Mr. Mena was with Mr. Saldivar."

Jules Vasquez
"Can it happen again? Even though you all are unified because at that time you all were not unified, now you are saying you all are unified, so I'm asking will you all support one of the candidates as a block or will it be individual vote of conscience?"

Clifford Peters
"Well we have spoken and we say it's better to be individual vote of confidence but for sure I know maybe the mayor will still be with Faber. Me I stand independent, I'm watching and still haven't decide, I will speak to the elders in the party."

Jules Vasquez
"Then John Saldivar jump the gun and he put you in his camp, suggesting that you are part of his slate. So then, I would imagine either that is a very great misconception or maybe the man feels you misled him, or if not, you should bex with he because he is speaking for you and this a dangerous times to be speaking for others."

Clifford Peters
"I guess so because he didn't call me and asked me. We haven't had no conversation. I didn't make no pledge."

Reporter
"So this is you setting the record straight, that you are in fact running independent?"

Clifford Peters
"Yes sir and that's where Boss P stands."

To gain that Deputy Chairman seat, Peters will have to beat out incumbent Chairman Alberto August, who also plans to vie for the post of Deputy, moving over to from the chairman seat, for Mike Peyrefitte who submitter this name earlier this week.