Heated words flung across the House of Rep floor
Though the cameras were recording, the country’s leaders did not back down when challenged or when they were interrupted. Before the meeting was over, the PUP’s faithful got rowdy and were marched out of the building. Here’s a look at how progress is made in the Capital.
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“Please call the attention of Cayo North mek ih shet up wah lee while so ih could learn something instead of going on like an idiot in this House. Mr. Speaker, could you please call his attention?”
Emil Arguelles, Speaker of the House
“Honourable member, I had asked for comments not to be shouted across the aisle.”
John Briceño
“As to the prime minister, you have to give it to him, he is a quick learner. Why is he a quick learner? Well, his mayor of Belize City a few weeks ago came up with a new term, she came with a new term; under deposits. And I know that we’ve had accountants all over the country, many people have googled…”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“On a point of order, I will ask that you confine the Leader of the Opposition to the subject that he has raised because if he continues to seek to involve certainly the Minister of Education and myself, I will demand the right of reply and when I am finished with him, I can assure you that he and the paid people that he has up there will severely regret what is going to happen so please, I appeal to you Mr. Speaker, you said earlier that we must stick to the rules. The rules don’t allow him to be going all over the place, especially if at the end of his digressions, those of us that he has sought to involve will not get a chance to respond”
Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources
“He is a perfect liar, he talks out of turn. He talks out of turn.”
Emil Arguelles
“Honourable member, the member for Fort George, is raising a point of order.”
Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George
“Yes, on a point of order, it is completely out of order to be calling anybody a liar.”
Gaspar Vega
“Okay, Mr. Speaker, I apologize.”
Said Musa
“Food prices escalated by over thirteen percent, one of the highest inflation rates in food in decades, then we have to ask ourselves what is this doing to the head of households who cannot get a job? Who will put the food on the table? Who will pay the rent, the water bill, the light bill? Who will take care of the extra fees that have to be paid for the education of their children? Who will pay, God forbid that some child gets sick in the family, who will pay for the doctor visit, the medicine?”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“I don’t know what’s happening over there you know Mr. Speaker, I don’t know. I imagine that when we’re done here the member for Albert will have to speak because we have one leader that spoke, we have another leader that spoke; the third leader will have to speak. The constraints that face us are not just as a consequence of what’s happening worldwide. Again, are a direct consequence of his legacy. I keep saying to the people of this country, next year is the first year of the step up for the rate of interest fro the repayment of his infamous super bond. The auditor general produced a report, the auditor general produced a report—unnu can’t mek more noise dan me yoh know because righteousness and truth deh pan my side. Mr. Speaker, all I am saying is that we will not cease from pointing out that when the member for Fort George speaks in this way, it is an instance of the devil attempting to collect sin.”
