The PUP is driving hard towards the November fourth general election and trying to build momentum in the process. That means staying in the public eye – and doing all it can to convince the electorate that Francis Fonseca's PUP is serious about reform – and is not the old PUP. That's no easy task – considering that a large part of the voting public is understandably skeptical about glib pre-election promises. And so, to show the seriousness of their resolve, the PUP signed their name to a social contract today – and 7News was there to ask the tough questions:…

Jules Vasquez Reporting….

The PUP's candidates – or 28 of them today signed a 12 point contract:

Francis Fonseca - PUP, Party Leader

"This is our opportunity to get it right. And we in the PUP will take that very very seriously."

For some of them – let's just say this isn't their first rodeo

This social contract from the PUP in 1998 still has a many unfulfilled promises.

Jules Vasquez

"I have seen things like this signed before. I've seen Said Musa lead, Cordel Hyde sign."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"You are an internal pessimist, I understand that."

Jules Vasquez

"But I'm saying I'm a realist."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"You have your way, we have our people's united way and we won't follow your advice on that one."

Jules Vasquez

"But sir these same PUP people that I saw here today, some of them have signed these same social contracts before."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"But they were not being led by Francis Fonseca and now we are being led by him and he is a serious man."

Jules Vasquez

"Sir up to 3 weeks ago, 11 of these guys weren't being led by Francis Fonseca."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"Yes they were, that's why they are here."

Jules Vasquez

"The average voter might say."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"But you can't speak for the average voter."

Jules Vasquez

"Well neither can you."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"I can speak for the average man."

Jules Vasquez

"I'm in contact with people who are more honest than the people in contact with you."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"So you're saying my people are not honest?"

Jules Vasquez

"Not to you."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"You're sure?"

Jules Vasquez

"I'm very sure."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"Well come November 4th and you will find out."

Jules Vasquez

"People will say this is the same old PUDP business; UDP promise."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"I will not entertain that line of conversation because I know where you're coming from and I respect your point of view. You do not believe in anything, you are a doubting Thomas. I am of the total opposite point of view and I will one day convince you by deeds that we will do what we are saying."

The 12 point social contract is like a voters wish list long on promises, kind of short on details:

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"We will build the forward operating base in the Sarstoon. B, we will disband the Gang Suppression Unit."

Dolores Balderamos Garcia - PUP, Deputy Leader

"Fully roll out the national health insurance, nationwide and invest and appropriate sufficient funds to improve health infrastructure; to ensure the provision of safe, accessible and affordable healthcare."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"Exempt thousands of workers from income tax and provide tax and cash flow relief for new and existing businesses. We need to raise the threshold of the people that are earning and we believe it's about 50,000 dollars; anybody below that will not pay income tax."

Jules Vasquez

"Where will the money come from? All these things have a cost and you cannot keep for example, social security can only remain sustainable if the actuaries approve these things. Have you all done any of the economic work behind this?"

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"There is a strong team that backs all of this up; it's just not a political proposal."

Dolores Balderamos Garcia - PUP, Deputy Leader

"We will raise the minimum wage and we will review and revise labour laws to ensure fair practices by employers and employees."

"We will appropriate sufficient funds to ensure free education to all students from pre-kinder through High School and 6th form."

"We will create a public fund to be known as the upliftment fund comprising the remaining proceeds of the Venezuela petrocaribe fund. The fund, no mind a lee bit left. The fund is to be administered by a board of governors, including the social partners; tacos and pibil and beer, out!"

Ok, so no more taco Sunday – but the PUP says it's not just about sweating the small stuff:

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"The economy will not move forward if we don't solve our basic governance issues."

Francis Fonseca - PUP, Party Leader

"We will fulfil this contract within the first 100 days of the next PUP government."

And that would be the busiest hundred days ever:

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"For this social contract to happen this is just a concept we will have to go and consult with every single item that's listed on this board to be able to get everybody's input before they're implemented."

Jules Vasquez

"It is impossible to get people to buy in to everything. So will you all just say, here what, people vote for we, this is what we will do, make we do it."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"The honourable prime minister's way of doing things is to get it done and then seek consultation and advice. Francis Fonseca is of the total opposite. He seeks advice before he makes a decision. We have to consult Jules but that doesn't mean we will listen to everybody. For example, when you run a board in cooperation, you have advice from all sides. It is the role and responsibility of the chairman of that board to make a conscientious decision based on the advice given."

Notably absent from the signing were Dan Silva and John Briceno:

Reporter

"Where are they, what happened today"

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"They will be here. A lot of the guys are in their constituencies doing work and they said to the party leader they wouldn't attend. We will have everybody sign it, I say by the end of the week."

Reporter

"Do they support it?"

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"Yes, everybody supports it."

Jules Vasquez

"Of course you have to speak for them which is not a good sign."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"I'm not speaking for them; I'm just telling you what happened."

Jules Vasquez

"You're telling me they support it."

Julius Espat - PUP, Deputy Leader

"No, but we circulated it to everybody and there was no objection. People had input so that's why I know they support it."

They'd better because with days to go before the election – there's no time for division in the PUP.

One other candidate, Ramiro Ramirez from Corozal Southwest was not present – but we were told that he is travelling. Next, the Party will launch its economic agenda, and then its manifesto.