Ashley Rocke Gets Senate Inquiry Motion Passed; Did He Betray Social Partners?
The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly today had a very high-stakes meeting in Belmopan. Its sole purpose: to come to an agreement about the constitution and composition of a Special Senate Select Committee to investigate the Special Audit Report on Immigration composed by the Auditor General’s Office. Competing motions – one from the Church’s Senator Ashley Rocke which had the apparent support of the Government and one from the Opposition – were presented, looking very alike except for one key point – the Government’s insistence that it must have more senators on the Committee than the Opposition to better reflect the balance of power. Who would prevail? As it turned out, the Government did – after minimal concessions made to their opponents. Still, the vote was close – seven in favour, five against, along the same lines as the vote that defeated the Opposition’s motion at the last sitting. Senator Rocke maintained when speaking with reporters after the meeting that the compromise was acceptable to the Church and will be to the people of Belize.
Ashley Rocke, Senator for Churches
“When I came here, I came here on my own. The people I was supposed to relate to: Reverend Papouloute, Reverend Wright, Reverend Glancy…they were all abroad. The only person I had to really relay it to was Reverend Howell Longsworth. So when I came, I came putting my best foot forward. But I was vindicated today, I believe, because the church still maintains that there ought to be a balance of persons in this committee.”
Reporter
“Vindicated how sir?”
Ashley Rocke
“Because when I was here the last time, I was told that I did something wrong. But today, even the Opposition and the social partners joined us in actually writing a new motion that was accepted by…”
Reporter
“But at the end they voted against it on principle, which is something that you are being accused of not doing.”
Ashley Rocke
“Let me tell you what I believe about the mon. It may not represent the Opposition or some of the social partners, but at the end of the day, it got the notice that we needed it to get.”
Its a shame that the churches accept that this guy, lends himself to be manipulated by politicians. but the question people ask is: is some of this church leaders being manipulated by the politician? Mr Rocke could not even answer relevant questions asked by the media. What a shame and not only of him but of the churches he represents. This guy is a traitor to, not only to the church leaders that fight for the right thing , but to the belizean people. At least JUDAS did the honorable thing to find a tree and a rope. But since in Belize City they dont have lots of trees, he should find Mr. Faber’s vehicle fill it with stones and lock himself inside and run into the Caribbean sea.