Majority of Belizeans Want Government Control of Ports, Survey Finds

Interestingly, the survey commissioned by Lord Michael Ashcroft also dove into whether Belize’s ports should be nationalized. The over one thousand participants were asked to weigh in on whether the port should be owned and operated by GOB, owned by Gob and operated by a private company, or privately owned and operated. Based on the results, a vast majority of Belizeans want the government to control important assets such as ports. Olson says the results varied amongst persons who identified as either PUP or UDP supporters. 

Trygne Olson, President, Viking Strategies: “ We asked a question about the port. And most people, 43% of Belizeans want a port that’s owned and operated by the government. Next most popular was owned by the government and operated by private companies. So 75%, about three and four would like to see a government owned port. There is a little bit of a divergence, and interestingly, UDP people  are slightly more inclined than PUP people to want to see it operated by private companies. And then 24% would like it owned and operated by private companies. Interestingly, the people who want it owned and operated by private companies tend to be the people who are most likely to swing back and forth between the two. And then thinking about the possibility of a new cruise ship port, where would you like it? 35% would like it in Belize City. That would be mostly people who do not live in Belize City. 49% would like it outside of Belize City. That tends to be all the people in Belize City and some of the people who are in the north, if you’re gonna put it in the south or in the south, if you’re gonna put it in the north and 16% of people don’t want one either way. A strong majority of Belizeans outside of Belize district want the port located outside. Yeah. So voters in the South, they’re split on tourismification which I touched on. PUP voters want the government to own and manage the port UDP less so and no difference between the supporters and the two parties. Yeah, the last point is in terms of overnight versus cruise there’s no difference politically. Like it doesn’t matter if you more identify with blue or red it’s mixed.”