And turning now to politics, the municipal elections will be held on March 6th. That's in 26 days, and the UDP feels it is gaining momentum because of the unpopularity of the PUP Central government.
Indeed, that may be the case, but Jules Vasquez looks at the fact that the UDP has a long, long way to come back from. Can they bridge the margin in just one three year municipal election cycle? Let's see what the numbers say:
In 2021 - the PUP got more than one hundred thousand more votes than the UDP across the 6 towns and two cities.
Overall, the PUP got 62% of the vote nationwide.
And they won 65 of 67 seats.
This chart shows that the PUP's margin was greater in Belize city where they got about 40,000 more votes - followed by Orange Walk. Where the blue and the red came closest was Benque Viejo and San Ignacio/Santa Elena.
So close in the twin towns that a mixed council was elected.
The trend since 2003 shows the rise and fall of both PUP and UDP - with the. PUP flatlining in 2006 and 2009 winning only 3 of 67 seats in each election - and then resurging in 2018 on their way to total dominance in 2021 - when the UDP plummeted to the lowest low of the century winning only 2 of 67 seats.
Notably in 2018, the PUP won the popular vote but the UDP still won held unto 60% of the municipal seats.
But in 2021, they fell way, way behind that number - is a three year cycle enough for them to recover most of that lost marine.
We'll know in 26 days!
