Members of Parliament shared their heartbreak over the deaths of six people in the past week that rocked the island.

The recent spate of tragedies united members from both sides of the aisle during the motion to adjourn, with MPs calling for an end to the violence.

The debate also highlighted divisions between the ruling Progressive Labour Party and opposition One Bermuda Alliance.

Government MPs insisted that the cause of the round of murders lay in deep-rooted social and economic ills such as racism, poor education and a lack of opportunity.

Government backbenchers criticised the Governor in her role as head of national security.

Opposition MPs insisted that although social ills needed to be addressed, the crisis lay with an understaffed police force lacking sufficient resources under the Government.

Derrick Burgess, the Deputy Speaker, said that the public should be aware that the Governor was responsible for policing on the island, not the Government.

“The Government has no control over the Bermuda Police Service,” he said. “We can only suggest to them. We cannot tell them what to do.”

He said that when Richard Sharples, the Governor, was assassinated, Scotland Yard was contacted, but no such calls were made when “Black boys and girls” were targeted.

Mr Burgess added that the Governor should speak out on acting against the scourge of violence in Bermuda.

“We don’t want a statement,” he said. “We want some action from those that are in charge of police.”

Opposition MP Robert King — who has spent the past 30 years working to rehabilitate criminals — said the Government could make additional resources available to address violence.

He questioned why the Government was still funding the Casino Gaming Commission at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year while the police complained about being underfunded.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, hit back, claiming it was more than a policing problem.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said everyone on the island shared the same pain as the island reeled from the week’s events.

“We have to seek long-term solutions to address these issues and root them out,” he said.

Mr Rabain agreed that education must play a role, but said education reform was about more than erecting new buildings.

He said restorative education would foster an environment where students felt safe and supported, reducing conflicts and enhancing educational outcomes.

Susan Jackson, the Shadow Minister of Transport, said part of the solution should also be creating an atmosphere of opportunity for those wishing to start businesses and control their own destiny.

Vance Campbell, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, highlighted major sporting events this summer, stating that each of the sports have rules to ensure fairness.

However, he said such equality did not exist in everyday life, fuelling the island’s troubles.

Mr Campbell said that many young people lacked positive male role models, and urged men to get involved.

“I’m calling for 100 men to do more and make a difference,” he said.

Ben Smith, the Deputy Opposition Leader, said it was shocking how significantly the island has changed.

He also lamented the shortage of positive male role models, stating that many of those voices were now missing.

“There are many parents who have decided to take their young men out of the country to protect them from this negative criminal element that is trying to pull them in,” he said.

Mr Smith asked if the Minister of National Security had approached the Governor for help, as well as progress on bolstering CCTV on the island, and the state of a strategic plan to address antisocial behaviour.

He added that efforts needed to be made to remove the stigma against availing of the assistance available.

Wayne Caines, a former national security minister, gave an impassioned speech that everyone on the island was their brother’s keeper.

He dismissed claims by the OBA that increased policing was the solution, calling for the re-emergence of male role models.

That theme was picked up by PLP backbencher Dennis Lister III.

He said: “We need men to get back, to get involved, to step up.

“Policing is not the answer. It requires community involvement.

“We need men to show more love and respect. Get back to that community aspect where a village looks after every person.”

“We have to meet young people where they are.”

Mr Lister said that the path to crime led to a simple choice — prison or death.

“This is not Black or White, OBA or PLP, this is a Bermudian problem that requires a Bermudian solution. As men, it starts with us men.”

Government backbencher Zane DeSilva also said that the Governor needed to step forward.

He said: “The last time I looked, we were a colony, ruled by the British.

“I would like to see the Governor take a more proactive role.”

He said that the police needed to start “breaking down doors” and “going on the attack”.

In an emotional speech, he said: “Start disrupting the gangsters’ lives. They are hurting the hearts of the people of this country. Start hurting theirs. And hurt them hard.”

Christopher Famous, the PLP MP for Devonshire East, wrapped up the session with a heartfelt plea for unity.

He said: “I say to everyone listening, if there’s one young person, two young persons, be that father to them, be that mother to them. Guide them and listen to their dreams and listen to where they’re going wrong. Because if we don’t, we’re going to be saying the same things — under this government or another government — on another Friday.”

He added: “I just want to say to each one of you — even though we disagree at times internally or externally — I love you all.”