And turning now from crime to politics the PUP launched its 2012 to 2016 manifesto today.
Now, you might be saying 2012 to 2016? But that's only four years; why not to 2017? - the usual five year term?
And in that case you'd be wrong because four year terms with fixed date elections are one of the PUP's manifesto pledges.
It's an interesting proposition that would meaningfully affect the way our democracy operates, but it's not exactly what makes a manifesto juicy.
So we went to Independence Hall today to hear what else the Grand Old Party had in store for its new manifesto. Here's the story:
Jules Vasquez Reporting
Francis Fonseca - Party Leader, PUP
"This manifesto represents the framework for our PUP plan to deliver Belize from economic and social crises."
With one hundred and twenty two promises, the manifesto - somewhat grandly named - deliverance for Belize, and dedicated predictably to George Price, is the most unambitious we've seen from the PUP in more than 2 decades. There are no sexy promises - no huge projects. It's what you might call a workman-like effort; as a leader himself said, it is basic.
Francis Fonseca
"You don't see in there any grand promises - about ten thousand jobs or five thousand houses and all of these things. We've tried to be very targeted in our approach and tried as best as possible to set out a very clear agenda. It is a reality that many of our people feel that they have been burnt, election after election. They believe that they have been given many great promises - grandiose plans. The Belizean people justifiably are cynical. They are very skeptical, and I think they want to be sure the plan presented to them is a creditable plan, that it's realistic - that it has targeted goals and objectives."
So the plan is grounded, where previously the PUP where known to soar - too high perhaps - but the contrast makes this manifesto seem somewhat un-inspired. Still though, a few things still jumped out at us.
Julius Espat - PUP Candidate, Cayo South
"The PUP supports the call for a referendum on off shore drilling and will institute a moratorium on offshore drilling. To put money back in the pocket of hard-working Belizeans, the tax threshold on personal income tax will be raised to thirty six thousand dollars, as the first step in our goal to abolish personal income tax. A foreign investment promotion act will set out the criteria for investment and legal protection offered against ex-appropriation of private property by the state. The PUP will open up the information super high way and will allow the use of VOIP to spur innovation and development in ICT. BTL will offer high speed internet 1 meg for thirty Belize dollars per month."
In terms of big promises, that's about the extent of it - a few more that caught our attention, where what you might call housekeeping.
Anthony Sylvester - PUP Cadidate, Queen Square
"There will be a fix date for elections in every 4 years cycle, the PUP is committed to an elected senate, a PUP Government will obtain majority control of public utilities. The recent UDP legislations for criminal trials by judge alone will be repealed."
Florencio Marin Jr. - PUP Candidate, Corozal Southeast
"The PUP will end the unbridled exploitation of our forest, as we see happening right now with the rose wood extraction in the Toledo district."
Carolyn Trench - Sandiford - PUP Candidate, Collet
"The Gang Suppression Unit, GSU, has lost the confidence of the Belizean people and must be replaced with a more effective anti-violence unit."
And while the promises might not have quite flown off the paper – it was enough to excite and incite the crowd of supporters at the Party Headquarters – whether it will be enough for these 31 candidates to entice the famous on-the-fence voters will be known in two weeks.
For historical context we note that the PUP's 2008 manifesto which was called the Blueprint made 185 promises, compared to the 122 in this one.
You can find it online at PUP.ORG.BZ...
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