Whither the manifestos?

We're now over half way through the election campaign, with just two weeks until advance polling starts. Yet so far neither party has produced a manifesto.

The UBP has produced their "Agenda for Change", which does outline some of the things we could expect from a UBP government. Yet the party admits that this is "not a comprehensive document", and promises more details in its election platform. So where is it?

The PLP is no better. Their website does contain a list of their accomplishments, and the recent Throne Speech did outline some of their plans. But there's still no sign of any document summarising the party's vision for the next five years.

I have heard that the UBP may be holding back for fear that the PLP will steal some of the ideas in their manifesto if they publish it too early. The same may be true of the PLP.

A reluctance to show your cards is understandable before an election has been called, but afterwards it's just pathetic. An election campaign ought to be a time for the electorate to review and discuss each party's vision for the next five years. Without manifestos to form the basis of the debate, that's much harder. When a candidate comes round to my house canvassing, how I am supposed to ask him informed questions about his party's proposals if I don't know what those proposals are?

The time for worrying about the theft of their intellectual property has passed. Both parties should release their manifestos without further delay.