The P.U.P. on Campaign Finance Reform

As we reported earlier in the newscast, on Thursday, the unions will take to the streets in protest having submitted six urgent demands to the government in the fight against corruption. The number one demand on that list is a call for the implementation of campaign financing laws before the next general election. Today, we asked Briceño for his party’s take on campaign finance reform. 

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“There are four basic tenants in campaign finance legislation that were talking about. One is that we need to define as a political party and to be defined and to set up standards. Secondly, we are talking about campaign financing. Will it be strictly private? Will it be strictly public? Will it be private-public model? So we are looking at that. And by that meaning that you limit the types of donations that can be given to a political party, but we also have to consider whether Belizeans are ready to allow taxpayers monies being used to be able to fund political parties.  It is done all over the world. You can’t have your cake and eat it. We have to decide it is that we want.”

Briceño also said his administration would introduce fixed terms for government as well as time limits on campaign period.