There's a phrase we've heard used from time to time: "Hot like house meeting on Friday!"
And true enough, whenever there's a house meeting, the evening news is bound to be full of accusatory speeches, ruthless insults, and vicious name-calling.
But, not today - not one unkind word was thrown across the floor, not one accusation was made, not one point of order was raised. It was in a word: unremarkable. The only news coming out of the day really, is how nice and gracious both sides were starting with the Prime Minister who volleyed a bouquet at the new Leader of The Opposition, Francis Fonseca, and he seemed only too happy to reciprocate. Here's how the love-fest sounded:..
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I want to congratulate the new leader of the opposition and the new leader of the People's United Party. He and I had an excellent courtesy visit together and I will repeat to the nation what I said to him. I believe that certainly the constitutional process will be well serve. I believe our democracy will be well serve as well as a consequence of his ascension to his new positions. I would also Mr. Speaker like to thank him and the members of his party, I would particularly like to say to the immediate past leader of the PUP and member for Orange Walk Central as I say indeed to my own colleagues and all those in this country who have like the leader of the opposition, like the PUP, like those on this side of the House express their solidarity with me and in particularly with my wife who as all Belize now knows has been afflicted with cancer and is battling the disease. The opposition was very kind to make an official statement expressing their support and when the leader and I met he was good enough to repeat the well wishes in person. I am very grateful to him as in indeed I've said I am grateful to the entire nation of Belize because the expressions of solidarity have been constant and have been none stop certainly since the news broke."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition - PUP
"I want to of course thank the Prime Minister for his gracious words. There will be a lot of time for politics in the year ahead Mr. Speaker but today with your permission I would like to use this opportunity as well on my own behalf but also on the behalf of the members of the opposition bench and behalf of our wider People's United Party family to extend our sincere best wishes for a blessed and happy Christmas season and new year to all Belizeans and I want to assure the Prime Minister that during this Christmas season we in the People's United Party will be offering up our thoughts and prayers to you, your wife and your family as you go through this difficult time. I know your wife has also lost her father, so we will be praying for all of you during this time."
The meeting started at a casual ten-thirty and was finished by noon. The only significant business deal with was the Evidence Amendment Act.
