But, through all that disputation - both sides did seem to find one thing - and only one - that they could agree on - and that is crime. They agreed that a concerted national effort is needed:
Hon. John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
"Too many unnecessary deaths, too much tragedy, too much destruction. We have spoken over and over about this and as recently as 2 days ago we laid out some plans on a way forward and once again, once again we stand ready to work with the government in a meaningful way to bring about and end to the violence."
Hon. John Saldivar - UDP Minister, Belmopan
"Let me close by extending the hand of cooperation to all institutions bodies, unions, organizations, groups, individuals who are genuinely interested in a collective and collaborative approach to finding a solution to the crime crisis to join me, my ministry and the police department to meet and sit and discuss ideas and suggestions that help vanquish crime and preserving our peaceful way of life. My ministry will be sending invitation letters to meet and it is my hope that these invitations will be accepted so that we can meet and soberly and maturely work through towards a solution."
Hon. Cordel Hype - PUP, Lake I
"We don't have no moral authority to tell them hold it down because we behave just like the gangs, we have to come together on this one bredda, PUP and UDP need to come together and resist the temptation to try make political game of the crime situation."
Hon. Patrick Faber - UDP, Collet
"Some of what he said especially as it relates to us addressing the crime issue, I will agree with. It has to be madam speaker that we take the kind of approach that it is by bipartisan. It has to be madam speaker that all hands are on deck."
The house debate adjourned at 6:15. It resumes tomorrow morning at 9:00 - and continues through to nightfall. We'll have more coverage in tomorrow's news.
Email
Print