B.P.P. reveals results from online “People’s Referendum”

Charles Leslie Jr

This morning, the Belize Progressive Party gave the media an update on their ongoing People’s Referendum poll on social issues. The poll takes two forms: an online poll being conducted along with the news outlet Breaking Belize News; and a petition being signed by Belizeans to create a mock referendum on several social issues. Both initiatives began on August twenty-sixth, the same day as the infamous House of Representatives Meeting; and so far there has been a positive response. The B.P.P.’s Public Relations Director, Charles Leslie Junior summarized the results so far.

Charles Leslie Jr., Public Relations Director, B.P.P.

“The first question we have is, “Should any and all claims by Guatemala and Belize’s sovereign territory be submitted to the I.C.J. for final statement?” The answer is no. “Should Guatemalan citizens be given citizenship?” A resounding no. “Should the L.G.B.T. portion of Section fifty-three of our criminal code remain the same?” The answer is yes – a marginal yes, currently. “Do you think L.G.B.T. is a lifestyle choice?” A resounding yes.”

Those were samples of the twenty-three total questions in the survey, which can only be taken once. Survey-takers also supported the return of permanent secretaries; the Government to pay the teachers’ salary increase; signing the U.N. Anti-Corruption Convention; forming the Integrity Committee and making Public Accounts Committee meetings public; tabling of reports for the Auditor General and other senior review officials; and even legalizing marijuana. Notably, no percentage of survey takers was released; the B.P.P. says it will provide a more comprehensive report after the poll is completed on September twentieth. The party continues to raise funds and collect signatures to trigger a non-binding referendum on these and other social issues.