the ruling united democratic party, which has been in power since 7 february 2008, will attempt to win a fourth consecutive general election. however, both major parties will be contesting this election with first-time leaders. udp leader and prime minister, dean barrow has stated he will step down from both positions on 2 november 2020, after the new prime minister of belize has been officially sworn-in by govonor-general, colville young. the udp has initially scheduled a may 2019 convention and election, but after barrow’s cabinet urged him to stay on as prime minister and leader of the udp, he pushed back that date in january 2019 to february 2020. thus the united democratic party leadership convention and election will take place in february 2020. on 10 august 2019, the udp’s national party council met and set the date of the udp’s leadership convention and election on 9 february 2019. the venue will be at the belize civic centre, according to the party organ, the guardian. deputy prime minister of belize, patrick faber and minister of national security and defence, john saldivar will contest the position of, udp leader through other candidates can apply. minister of health, pablo marin will contest the position of, deputy leader of the udp. minister of natural resources, hugo patt is also expected to contest for deputy leader as well. patt and minister of foreign affairs, wilfred elrington was mentioned as possible candidates to contest the position of, udp leader. however, both declined the offer back in june 2018. on 5 june 2019, belize breaking news (bbn) published an article stating that the udp has a high chance of capitalising and making history by wining a fourth consecutive term come 2020, given the results of the 2019 belizean territorial dispute referendum went in the favour of the udp. the udp was long campaigning for an “yes” vote to bring guatemala’s claim to the international court of justice (icj), while the pup eyed the “no” vote while some of its politicians still supported “yes” as they thought that was the right thing to do. nevertheless, results are results and this could determine who would win the next general election. the udp, which has already served an unprecedented three consecutive terms has gone the extra mile in securing their mandate. a victory in the next election would be monumental as the party navigates new leadership with the departure of several senior members. the udp cabinet, though marred by waves of scandal and revelations of systemic corruption across government departments throughout its 11-year reign, has withered the political storms. the udp looks to continue its decade-long dominance (ethology) over belizean politics.