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That's the ominous cloud that hung over the UDP National convention yesterday - even though the red band merrily played on. 7News was at the even from before it started until after it finished and Jules Vasquez has the whole story:

Preparations began early with 120 police officers falling in at 8:00 AM. That was the level of security needed for the thousands beckoned by the UDP 's big flag, aloft on a windy, bright day. To see the CIVIC draped in larger than life colour.

There were the usual long lines to get in - delegates were directed to the floor, supporters upstairs to witness the greatest political show the Civic has ever seen, the UDP in full flash and cash.

Aspirant for leader Patrick Faber arrived with great combustion and clamor. And while he had all this fanfare and uproar, and was dancing inside, his opponent made no grand entrance from outside. The camera we snuck inside found him simply making the rounds, pressing the flesh with friends and faithful loyalists.

Our sneak camera also saw the party leader of the last 21 and a half years, give his last hurrah before the crowd.

We can't say much of what happened after, because our camera had to come back outside where the media was encamped all day, catching ourselves up as best we could, while the only observers known to us inside was the US Embassy:

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Think about the observation by the US Mission in Belize."

Alberto August, Outgoing chairman
"Basically, they requested to come in as an observer to the proceedings. We don't have any difficulty with it. We have nothing to hide and they have always been around. How bad would it have looked if we would have denied them access into the area?"

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But you all are denying us, sir."

Alberto August, Outgoing chairman
"Well, Like I said we are not denying you all. It's just that the business of the party has got to be conducted in as much as possible in a secure environment."

And, seeing it from outside, as we were forced to what stood out was the kind of money spent on this event; it was in the hundreds of thousands, just for a single day, surely the most ever spent on a convention.

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You're known for your social conscientiously. The obscenity of spending that happens on a day like this in the hundreds of thousands of dollars has to offend you at some level."

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, UDP Area Rep.
"Well you see I'm not around, so I can't share that view with you. I don't know. I don't know what is being spent at all. I am just arriving."

And we're told fair amounts of money were spent on the 570 delegates, in lists often made up of close family members:

Reporter
"We're constantly hearing that delegates were handpicked by area representatives or standard bearers and this may have a bearing on how the vote is cast."

Manuel Junior Heredia, Ran for Second Deputy
"Indeed, I don't believe in it, but it did happened. There are certain standard-bearers or ministers or so that definitely they handpicked some. They removed those that that they believe will vote for otherwise. I am one of those that didn't. I believe that removing somebody from a delegate, general election is coming; you would pay the price for that. For that reason I didn't remove the one or two that didn't want to go my way."

The convention was held under kind of a cloud - because of the corruptions allegations against John Saldivar- which the UDP hoped all the noise and dancing would drown out:

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"The events of the next week could prove completely upside down, could turn everything for your camp and John Saldivar upside down. It is not a reality that he could be leader for a week?"

Phillip Willoughby, UDP Std. Bearer
"Well the allegations are there and we wait and see what next it brings and then we go from there, but I won't comment on future events that's yet to come or not to come."

Jamal Shyne Barrow, Mesop Std. Bearer
"So I believe this was all manufactured to compel us, to force us to go with Mr. Faber, because oh the perception. Perception is not reality. I would prefer a politician that helps the people and does what is right for the people than one who is perceived to be a good person, but really worthless and doesn't do anything for anyone and doesn't help the people, so I don't want to get into perception. This is not show business. Remember I was in show business, I was an entertainer. This is not entertainment."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"With all that John Saldivar has taken on reputational and the current reputational risk that he faces is it practicable for the UDP to go forward with John Saldivar as a leader?"

Manuel Junior Heredia, Ran for Second Deputy
"Jules, I will not comment. We are one party, one family of UDPs and I believe that whatever the outcome, I am one of those that don't believe in it, but I believe that whoever emerges the leader my loyalty has to go to that leader."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But supposed next week in Utah, there is a testimony which directly implicates him with evidential proof, then the man you have thrown your whole support behind is in trouble and may be leader for a week."

Dianne Finnegan, UDP Std. Bearer
"That is then, right now John has said to us, has manifested to us that he has nothing to worry about and so there is only two people who have the real truth you know, the court and that man right there named John Saldivar and he has looked at all of us and said I have nothing to worry about, then I believe him."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Would you say it is froing with risk for the UDP to vote for John Saldivar, knowing that on Monday or Tuesday in a Utah courthouse evidence could be led which implicates him in the type of wrongdoing which the prime minister has said is fatal from a political perspective?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, UDP Area Rep.
"Have you been following the impeachment of President Trump?"

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Very closely, sir."

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, UDP Area Rep.
"After he was acquitted, his ratings went right up. You can't make any assumptions about allegations. It's the most erroneous thing you could do. You can't make assumptions about allegations. In politics in particular it doesn't seem to me to matter to many people what politicians do that they like."

Reporter
"You're writing off public perception though which could hurt the party?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, UDP Area Rep.
"Public perception always depends on who is looking at it and who is seeing it. Public is not a homogenous group, different people have different views."

And for those who voted, it seems that was the prevailing view, because when they did let us in when voting was done there was still a good crowd waiting for their leader and by 3:30 the buzz started to come out of the counting room, Saldivar had an insurmountable lead, as did his slate.

At 4:00 John Saldivar emerged, the new leader into the embrace of his supporters.

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman
"For party leader the Honorable Patrick Faber had a total of 227 votes and the Honorable John Saldivar had a total of 342 votes. The honorable John Saldivar is the new leader of the United Democratic Party."

Patrick Faber looked understandably dejected, the goal he had been working to for so many years was now gone and Tracey Taegar Panton - defeated soundly for first deputy needed consoling as Saldivar took the oath."

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"I want to also call on my colleague the Honorable Patrick Faber to please come and join me at the podium. My colleague and friend Patrick Faber, together we will bring victory for our United Democratic Party. Thank you brother, Good fight, thank you."

Hon. Patrick Faber, Lost leadership bid
"I am 100% with my colleagues, 100% in support of the Honorable John Saldivar. Expect my full cooperation and love for all my colleagues."

As the crowd cheered on, it still could not drown out the murmur of scandal:

Reporter
"There are still certain matters where you name is being called, how do you plan to deal with that going forward?"

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"First of all the cloud that has been hanging over my head has been put there by those who have interpreted and misinterpreted things. I have not been at this point accused of anything. I've always said that I am not guilty of any wrongdoing. I maintain that and until anything else is proven otherwise that is my position and I'm glad that the people of Belize saw it that way whilst the media may not have."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Mr. Saldivar, you've lost before you finally won. Last time you've lost, I've said 3 times and you're out, you kept on with it and now you got the maximum prize. Emotionally, how does it feel?"

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"It feels very good. I feel vindicate for all the other times that I was not able to make it."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You look to Utah next week with anxiety?"

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"If I look towards, I look towards everyday with anxiety."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Utah, Utah."

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"Not at all. I know that there is nothing that's going to come from that that's going to affect me in any negative way. I've always maintained my innocence."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"When do you expect the prime minister to hand over?"

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"Prime Minister has been talking about after reading the budget, but he and I will sit and discuss that."

Reporter
"Why did you...Dermen to become honorary council, even after..."

Hon. John Saldivar, UDP Party Leader
"I will discuss nothing more about that trial."

And, on a Sunday, with all the political energies and millions spent, flocked by the party faithful, that may have been enough for them to think that the UDP leaning and listing, can somehow survive the storms ahead.

Saldivar's entire slate was elected, meaning Hugo Patt who won by the largest margin as first Deputy over Tracey Panton, while Beverly Williams is second Deputy over Manuel Heredia, while Alberto August is Deputy Chairman over Khalid Belisle.