When the UDP launched its Belize City manifesto one month ago on January fourth it was a fairly modest event. But today the PUP sought to sharply upstage that with its manifesto launch. At 10 this morning, site-specific manifestos were launched in 10 different municipalities across the country in two different languages. It was a show designed to show political supremacy, and style to boot. Here's the story from Independence Hall.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
In an Independence Hall modernized and dressed up for the event complete with multi media trimmings and former dissidents back under the party tent, it was show time for the PUP. With Candidates seated and hearty supporters in place, the event had the air of a political rally more than it did a manifesto launch.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, PUP Party Leader
[To Crowd] "They are led by a self made man, Marshall. Who you going to vote for?"
Crowd: 'Marshall!'
Indeed the Marshall chorus was in effect, and there to sing the verse of praise was Cordel Hyde, a man who one year ago was on the party periphery, but this year, good enough to make an endorsement.
Hon. Cordel Hyde,
"Marshall Nunez is not a perfect man but nobody is. Marshall is a mortal being but with an incredible record of success. He has been more accessible than any politician in the history of electoral politics in Belize."
And now Nunez hopes to parlay his record of successes at the polls as a councilor into a single success as mayor.
Marshall Nunez, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"The city council that I have been in has done a lot but there is much more work to be done."
And that much more will see this council looking for Salvation to a $47 million Southside development project.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"That southside upliftment renewal project will transform the lives of our city residents and, as Carolyn said, it will serve to create a Belize City: one city, equal opportunity for all."
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, PUP City Council Candidate
"We will transform those communities and neighborhoods into being vibrant, productive, and dynamic neighborhoods through a $47 million investment program in streets, drains, and bridges."
Marshall Nunez,
"The manifesto is one that is accomplishable. We are excited about the southside development project, even though we are talking about one great city. It is the first time ever that there has been any commitment to invest $47 million to change the social and economic conditions of the southside of Belize City. People have been talking about infrastructure, opportunity for jobs, and that is what that southside project is going to bring."
Jules Vasquez,
But the fact is Marshall that the government doesn't have $47 million. In fact
the OPEC countries have committed $12 million recently but at this time that project, though it will someday be a reality, at this time there is no funding for it and at this time it is really a pipedream at this point.
Marshall Nunez,
"I will have to differ with you Jules, that project is coming on stream quickly."
And while we presume Nunez knows where from and how quickly that remaining $35 million will come, the heavy reliance on this project makes it clear that as goes the PUP Central Government, so too does this city council and there are tradeoffs as a consequence.
Jules Vasquez,
Do you all encounter a credibility problem because of the sins of central government?
Anthony Mahler, PUP City Council Candidate
"No, no, we are a brand new team. Whenever you launch a manifesto you come anew, you bring a new platform to the people."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you feel that your team suffers a credibility problem because the central government is PUP and this is a government which has taxed people more than any government in recent recall and that has made some lavish promises and now as you all are going out and saying you will reduce taxes and bring jobs. Do you that is credible? Do you think people believe that?
Marshall Nunez,
Jules if politicians would have been penalized for the actions of past politicians, imagine the kind of world we would have been living in. I think what is important for us, for Belize City to look at the team that we have compiled, the PUP City Council 11, me and my team, and look at the agenda that we present to them and compare them to any. You Jules would have to agree that our team and our plan is second to none."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you feel that this city council team suffers from a credibility problem because of the failures of your administration and the mistakes of your administration and the fact that you have taxed and you are retrenching, as confirmed by the IMF, that its hard for them to make a promise that is believable?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"When you speak about tax and retrenchment, the truth of the matter is that the PUP's record is far superior to that of the UDP. The UDP has the record of being the taxing and the squeezing party, the party of retrenchment. Yes a few workers have been let off from the public service because we've been tightening up, because of the economic situation, but there's been no retrenchment in the public service and as far as taxes are concerned, yes we've had to raise a few taxes in the past but one of the things we are promising and intend to implement in this manifesto, because we realize its hurting the poor people especially, is to abolish property tax for properties under $25,000 value."
But can a City Council which can barely afford to properly fix streets, afford a tax break?
Jules Vasquez,
You more than anyone on this team knows the revenue situation at City Council, City Council is at all times strapped for cash, we've recently seen rains and we can only patch our streets with sand and gravel, how can you all make a promise to reduce taxes when the revenue base is hardly enough to support the city council as it is?
Marshall Nunez,
"You just answered the question Jules… there is an increase of properties now in Belize City which will increase the revenue for the city. We will reduce taxes, in fact its not going to be a whole lot."
And while the PUP continues to make promises, it's clear that as past failures and current difficulties threaten to make those promises harder to believe, the political machine must work harder to make the product more appealing - thus the intensity, and style supremacy of today's simultaneous national launch in 9 different municipalities.
Jules Vasquez,
Is this an attempt to intimidate the UDP and seduce the voters through a blitz approach by showing that the PUP as a machine is as well oiled and efficient as ever, as a political operandum?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I wouldn't say its an attempt to intimidate, the PUP is not the party of fear, we are the party of boom y amor, love, that is what we offer. What you saw today, yes, was an impressive demonstration of the strength and the unity of the PUP."
Jules Vasquez,
There's a theory that if you have inferior wood you have to put more varnish, is in fact the PUP becoming more flashy, successively more flashy in its presentations, is it an indication that in fact the product inside is more withered than ever and in fact more gloss has to be applied to salvage it?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"We are not the party of glitter and no substance, you know that. The PUP has substance."
And even when the currency of substance falters - there's always the ultimate promise of personal patronage.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Chairman
"We are not without fault but in times of need we have been there for Belize and we have been there for you."
A message that went out across Belize today, how well it was received can now only be registered by voters on election day.
Candidates will now go countrywide to distribute the manifestos.
