U.D.P. launches manifesto at Belize City rally
It was promised in time for the U.D.P. national convention in July and pre-empted this past weekend when the P.U.P. got hold of an advance copy. But better late than never, the ruling party’s manifesto has finally been unveiled. Patrick Jones was on hand to take a look.
The old Pound Yard in Belize City overflowed on Wednesday night as several thousand energetic supporters from all twenty nine electoral divisions gathered for the launch of the United Democratic Party manifesto. The main thrust of the twenty seven-page document, titled: “It’s All About Trust” is that the U.D.P., if returned to government, would build on its achievements over the last five years. Deputy Party leader Dean Barrow said that the plan put forward by the U.D.P. is based on reality, not pie in the sky.
Dean Barrow, U.D.P., Queen’s Square
“What is in this document is real. What is in this document is what the United Democratic Party can and will accomplish over the next five years. No false promises, no ridiculous efforts to fool you and insult your intelligence. No cover Benjamin. This ladies and gentlemen is real.”
Manuel Esquivel, Leader, U.D.P.
“Well I think when you read it, you will see that it is a solid document. It is not promising miracles. It is saying we have built a foundation, now here is a house.”
Q: “So all the promises you make, or everything in your manifesto, are they realistic promises?”
Manuel Esquivel
“Because they are based on funding which we have already identified. They are based on projects which have already been studied and analyzed and are ready to go. They are based on plans that have already been developed. It’s about continuity and that’s what this election is about.”
Highlights of the U.D.P. plan 1998-2003 were outlined by other standard bearers, including, Ruben Campos, Faith Babb and Derek Aikman.
Ruben Campos, U.D.P., Orange Walk Central
“The U.D.P. government will commence the rehabilitation of the Hattieville-Boom road link. We know ladies and gentlemen that for us to be competitive in infrastructure development, and allow our traffic to flow to save on fuel, to save on time and to be more careful of our transportation, we will link the north and the west and the south by the rehabilitation of the Hattieville-Boom road link connection.
The next U.D.P. government will build the new bridge linking San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Benque Viejo. We are going to become one united family by providing the necessary infrastructure to bring us closer together. We will continue to upgrade the water system in Belize City and double its capacity. We will continue the rural electrification project and the U.D.P. expands its development program. We must continue to bring lights to all our people, rich, not so rich and poor.”
Faith Babb, U.D.P., Collet
“The U.D.P. will continue to work through established institutions and with all those people involve in preserving our cultural heritage and exploring new avenues of expression. Government will invest over one million dollars in new equipment for the newly renovated Bliss Institute. The new U.D.P. government will give urgent consideration to legislation governing the international copyright law. This is essential if we are to protect the rights of Belizean artists and promote better quality production.
The new U.D.P. government will continue to expand is rental program for those unable to afford existing low-income higher purchase arrangements with the right charge not to exceed one quarter of family’s income. Government will continue to improve the health system in Belize and this will include a national health insurance scheme to lower the cost of health coverage.”
Derek Aikman, U.D.P., Fort George
“And so the U.D.P. to improve the implementation of government policies and the service offered to the Belizean public will do the following: First of all they will fund the offices of the contractor general and ombudsman, for which enabling legislation has already been passed. The next is the introduction of a public service bill, after consultation with all interested parties. We feel that the public service has got to be strengthened.
The public service has got to be given more teeth and so the government after consultation with senior civil servants will siphoned out a bill in the National Assembly that will give more autonomy to civil servants. But public servant will also have to deliver and increase the productivity and their efficiency in serving the government. It’s a two way street. You want more independence, well then you’ve got to act responsible efficiently and effectively.”
Manuel Esquivel
“We are saying that government should allow people to take home their full pay and then people can decide whether they will spend, or whether they will save and if they decide to spend then they will pay taxes on their spending not on their saving. They will pay taxes on their spending, not on their pay, because we believe that Belizeans should not be punished for making more money.
Belizeans should not be punished for working harder to get advancements and promotions. In fact they should be encouraged and rewarded and so we will continue that policy of ensuring each time that less and less Belizeans will pay personal income tax and we will stick with indirect tax where you have a choice as to how you spend and therefore how much taxes you pay.”
The U.D.P. plan also includes, extending the retirement age for judges to sixty-two years, maintaining international support for Belize’s sovereignty and the implementation of an aggressive anti-drug campaign with a heavy focus on education.
Prime Minister Esquivel told the gathering Wednesday night that when they go to the polls on August twenty-seventh, the choice between his United Democratic Party and the People’s United Party must be based on trust. Trust he said, in a party that has proven that it can maintain a stable economy and solid development. With just two weeks to go before close to ninety five thousand Belizeans go to the polls to elect a new government, Esquivel said the party wanted to wait until after nomination day on Tuesday to release the manifesto, to give his campaigners an added push going down the home stretch. Patrick Jones for News five.
The 1998 U.D.P. manifesto tends to be more general in its commitments, unlike the P.U.P.’s which focuses on some very specific courses of action. Where it does get down to specifics, such as the appointment of an ombudsman and contractor general, they are commitments that remained unfulfilled from the 1993 U.D.P. manifesto.
