And while he got that one started, Briceno managed to dodge the PM's hammer blow in the debate. But he didn't get off so easy when he spoke on statistics. As we've reported, the Statistical Institute of Belize has produced reports showing very low inflation and decreasing unemployment. Briceno didn't challenge the veracity of the figures, but he did question what they mean:
Hon. John Briceno - Area Representative, Orange Walk Central
"Certainly it is welcome news Mr. Speaker that the SIB presented that inflation was at a low rate of 1.6%. But I am sure many Belizeans is not feeling the numbers because if you ask the ordinary citizen across the length and breadth of this country they will tell that they are not feeling those numbers because they feel that the cost of living continues to go up. For example in 2009, a pound of red kidney beans was at $2.25. Today that same pound of red kidney beans is $3.50. during our time that we were in government the UDP use to say that things hard out here, but right now if you talk to the Belizean people, most of them will tell you that things are harder out here under this UDP government."
"We do see according to the statistics that 1,500 new jobs were created especially in Belize City where we have seen a reduction in crime but where I am most concerned about is the area of skilled labour or those middle level jobs that pay more than $900 per month. You see a family of 4 that is earning $900 per month which according to SIB is a median average monthly income - cannot have a decent living."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Your unfamiliarity with the concepts with which you were trying to grapple was patent. And it meant your enterprise was doomed from the start. I found myself..."
Hon. John Briceno - Area Representative, Orange Walk Central "Could it be that you never understand what I was talking about Mr. Prime Minister?"
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"But I never interrupted you when you spoke. I found myself remembering the old saw...."
Hon. John Briceno - Area Representative, Orange Walk Central
"Talk about the unemployment.... that is the issue we are talking about."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Hey man, subside; simmer down and listen to what I have to say and you might learn something. I found myself remembering the old saw, who was it that said you use statistics like a dog uses a lamp post - for support, not for illumination. He is caught by the very statistics that he is trying to rubbish. You cant get away from the fact that the inflation rate is what it is and the unemployment rate is what it is and starting with the latter first the unemployment rate is down and down significantly."
And while yesterday's house sitting was memorable for what was said outside and inside, we also note that it had the greatest number of interruptions and ejections in memory. During Mr. Briceno's speech alone, three of his own party supporters had to be ejected from the gallery as they threw words against the Barrow Administration. In the case of Vaughan Gill, he was accused of sucking his teeth.
