Conventional political wisdom tells us that third parties no matter how well staffed and well marketed don't appeal to a broad cross section of voters: at the end of the day political history indicates, people want to vote for politician who will be in power, and up to now that has meant supporting one of the mass parties: UDP or PUP.
But conventional wisdom holds no sway with an the Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) party. In March they want to make electoral history by being the first third party to win a major election in Belize. The VIPs hope to do that with a budget of $18,000, one hundred campaigners and a manifesto. And though they want to take over Belmopan's City Hall today the VIP slate of one mayor and six councilors launched their manifesto in Belize City. Party leader and mayoral hopeful Paul Morgan says the current PUP run city council isn't bad, it's just that his slate could do better.
Paul Morgan, V.I.P. Mayoral Candidate
"Every administration has its positives and its negatives. We will not stand here bashing the good attempts and the good works, the good successes, that anybody has done. We will applaud success. That is the difference with VIP. VIP doesn't call a spade a shovel. We will applaud good work but where we see we can improve, we will do so."
Keith Swift,
I was paging through the manifesto and there's nothing concrete, there's just broad ideas.
Paul Morgan,
"Yeah it's actually a macro-plan, that's what a macro-plan does."
Keith Swift,
What exactly does Belmopan need that you guys think you can provide?
Paul Morgan,
"Well number one we highlighted some of the problems going on in Belmopan right now. We feel that Belmopan needs to open up information at the City Council. We believe fervently that Belmopan needs a life. You know that you come here to Belize City to have all the fun. Belmopan people travel to Belize City to shop."
Keith Swift,
Is that the responsibility of the city council though?
Paul Morgan,
"It is the responsibility of the City Council to set the environment such that our economic environment can grow."
Keith Swift,
Speak to the Belmopan voter who says all you guys are going to do is spoil it for the UDP, you're going to split the UDP votes.
Paul Morgan,
"I say this Keith, and listen to me very carefully, that no party, be it the PUP, the UDP, or the VIP owns any vote."
Keith Swift,
But will you agree that most of the people who probably will consider voting for the VIP are people who probably voted the UDP in 2003.
Paul Morgan,
"I wouldn't know who they voted for. That's why we have a secret ballot. March first will be here shortly and you will see that you might be able to congratulate us on a victory at the polls. Notice that we have improved double each time we've ran."
Keith Swift,
Do you think that in fact the effect you all are making, the sacrifice you are making, it will change the political culture of our country?
Paul Morgan,
"Jules I don't believe that I'll vie forever. And if all that I do now is to bring political maturity to our system, then I will be satisfied."
The manifesto will be circulated and is available on the party's website at http://vip.reformbelize.org.
