UDP Accuses PUP of Planning Tax Hikes if Re-Elected

With general elections looming, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is strongly condemning the Briceno Administration for what it claims is its intent to overtax Belizeans. In a press conference this morning, UDP Leader Shyne Barrow accused the People United Party government of seeking to “punish” the public by increasing taxes across various sectors. Barrow claims that the PUP plans to introduce new taxes that would further financially strain Belizeans if they were re-elected. He pointed specifically to the deferred changes to the Trade License regime that would see businesses and peddlers in villages liable to pay taxes. According to Barrow, the government’s economic plan is nothing more than a tax-and-spend failure that will only make life more difficult for working families. 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “The Briceño doctrine if you are not aware, a vote for this PUP government in the coming general elections will result in at least five new taxes and increase taxes. We have the village trade tax where all ministers in cabinet voted for the passage of the new trade license bill that now taxes roadside vendors, yard cleaners, runman, everyone trying to get into the economy. Now imagine this from a prime minister, and a minister of finance and a cabinet that boasts of record economic growth. Why are they going after those struggling to enter into the economic productivity when we have people like Kenny Zheng at the Free Zone making $100 million dollars a year off the cigarette trade and why not increase taxes on Kenny Zheng so that the Belizean people can get their fair share. Why go after the vendors, the street vendors that are barely making enough to go back and replenish their stock to try to sell more ? But this is what you get with a fake leftist government that has no concern for the Belizean people. So when that new trade license tax is passed the cost of living will increase exponentially. Your quality of life will decrease even further.”

The UDP leader also criticized the government’s overall efforts on tax reform and their proposed plan to increase the hotel tax from 9% to 12.5%. Barrow says the government lacks foresight and instead focuses on short-term fixes that burden ordinary Belizeans. 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Every stakeholder that I have spoken to in the tourism industry is saying this I a death knell to the tourism industry. It is already expensive for Belizeans to enjoy their own country and here comes another blow where we will go from 9% to 12.5%. The next UDP administration will ensure that tax compliance is a priority. There are so many people that are making so much, that are generating so much revenues and they are not paying their taxes that they’re supposed to. It is not even a matter of increasing taxes on anyone because we have always been a friend to the business community. We have always been a friend to the merchants. But we are a friend to the vulnerable above all and so it should not fall to the working class to pay more taxes while those that are generating significant revenues continue to evade paying their due taxes. So it goes without saying that the United Democratic Party vehemently condemns and rejects this proposed 12.5% hotel tax and this decision is yet another example of this government’s tone deaf disconnected disposition. Complete disregard for the economic wellbeing of ordinary citizens.”

Barrow stated that if elected the UDP would not impose any new taxes.