Every election season, it's the same story: if you want to win, you have to invest. Mass political parties receive millions of dollars in campaign financing-but from whom? And under what arrangements? Well, they're under no obligation to disclose, since there is no real campaign financing legislation in Belize. And aside from receiving the money, those same political parties then pay voters or find other means to influence them through financial assistance.
The lack of regulations and the rampant corruption are examined more closely in the Belize Public Policy and Research Institute's latest report, Money in Politics: Breaking the Regulation Deadlock. Courtney Menzies was at the launch of the report today and has this story:
"Money in Belizean Politics" is the latest report from the Belize Public Policy and Research Institute. It investigates illicit and unregulated campaign financing and proposes recommendations for the establishment of legislation to mitigate corrupt practices. The report was launched today, and BELPRI's Executive Director explained that the glaring issue is that it is often public funds that are used to influence the electorate.
Dr. Dylan Vernon, Executive Director, BELPRI
"The general point the report makes is that while Belize does not have official public funding of political partisan candidates, that public resources in Belize can be used or abused to influence voters and constituents. And while there are some programs like the constituency development fund that has the objective of developing, having projects in constituencies, the question is always who decides who gets what? And even for these official programs, which we have seen an increase in over time, the answer to the question is that it is usually the elected politician from that constituency that makes these decisions, and so in a sense, political finance can come from public resources. It is even more blatantly done with the Christmas and summer assistance before school opens, that sort of program, which is shorter term, but at the end of the day, who decides who gets what? If it is a politician, it is political financing."
One of the recommendations in the report is to establish an autonomous commission appointed by social partner senators. While none of those partners were at the launch, Vernon explained that they will be making a presentation to them as well as to the Prime Minister. We asked him what he hopes will come out of that meeting.
Dr. Dylan Vernon, Executive Director, BELPRI
"I think what I will say is, 'Prime Minister, here is this report. We have collated the international better practice, regional best practice. We have looked at all the proposals made in Belize towards this issue. We have a blueprint for how it could happen. If political parties, if the Government is serious about advancing, this can be a tool and a blueprint for moving forward.' As I said in the presentation, we have to acknowledge that it's not going to be easy. This is difficult. The Prime Minister is right in that way, but because it's difficult does not mean in any way or form that we should not try and we should not at least try to mitigate some of the worst implications, negative results of money in politics."
One politician who was at today's launch was mayoral aspirant Allan Pollard. He told us that he doesn't have anything to hide regarding financing for his own campaign, and he won't bow to his financiers' requests.
Allan Pollard, PUP Councillor
"For me, I have nothing to hide. Most of my campaign, when I compare it to the other big ministers, for me, the local government, I don't solicit a lot of funds, so for me, I wouldn't have an issue. And anyone who is financing my campaign usually has the best interest of myself and the city at heart, so I'm sure they wouldn't have any difficulty disclosing as well."
Reporter:
"What would you do as mayor if a financier comes back to you, if you are elected, and says, 'Hey, I invested in your campaign, in your political ambitions, and now I want, for example, this policy or this request approved,' how do you approach that?"
Allan Pollard:
"Well, policy comes from politicians, not necessarily from the businessmen. But the way I plan to govern is ensure that we have all business people at the center, we have more consultation groups, more committees, and of course any policy that we implement has to benefit the wider Belize City, not just one particular entity."
Courtney Menzies:
"Why did you feel obligated to come here today? You're the only politician here."
Allan Pollard:
"I think this is, as a young politician, this is pivotal to my future, the way how I do business going forward, the way I do politics, and of course my engagement within the electorate."
And while Pollard agrees that it's a mammoth task, Vernon explained in his presentation that without campaign financing regulations, it's Belizeans who lose:
Dr. Dylan Vernon, Executive Director, BELPRI
"I think in short, and perhaps the most straightforward language, it's because Belize loses. We all lose when unregulated money dominates our politics the way it does now. We lose when a small number of people supply most of the political finance. We lose when most people can't afford to get into politics. We all lose when public resources are used or stolen for political influence. We all lose when our taxes are being used for favors instead of for building a fire station or repairing the roof of a police station or for buying medications."
Copies of the report were also presented to social partner organizations, such as the president of the NTUCB.
