Following their back and forth, a somberness filled the room as members of the other side - rather than use the opportunity to make jokes - took a more serious approach. Cayo South's Julius Espat explained that he didn't sign up for the easy way out, and that there needs to be a strong and united democracy to keep them in check.
The PM criticized Barrow's leadership skills and urged him to revert the changes made to the committees.
Here's how that went.
Julius Espat, Area Rep., Cayo South
"It is humanely impossible I see for these two members to be able to participate diligently in these committees. As the member from Albert has mentioned, it is even difficult having just five on the other side and now it seems that we only have two, now it seems we only have one. I insist that you guys need to get your act together. We are on opposing political sides but we are all Belizeans and we demand that our Belizean people be represented properly. You guys, even though you're having your squabbles, I don't want to get into that but you represent people and those people are voiceless without your participation. It is a sad day for Belize, honorable Leader of the Opposition for this to happen. I hope somehow we find a way for this to work out. It demoralizes people on this side when we have no opposition. That's not what I signed up for, that's not what the Belizean people have us here doing."
"Member of the Opposition, you have two educated people. One that's about to be a doctor. I will repeat what he said, one that's about to be a real doctor and the member that came from our side so she must have something positive to contribute. But that's part of what we do. That doesn't diminish the respect we have for each other."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I urge that the Leader of the Opposition should get up and ask that we pull back this thing, Madam Speaker, for consideration. I think he owes that, not only to his party, to this country and to this House. This is serious work we do in this House, this isn't baby and being personal right here. So I'm urging you, a man, a leader is prepared to stand up and say I made a mistake or I need to reconsider something. We do that all the time."
And when asked to vote on the motion, both sides remained silent - until the very last second when Henry Charles Usher uttered the only "ay."
All other members abstained.
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