The United Bermuda Party supports many initiatives to combat rising crime laid out in the Throne Speech.

Senator Michael Dunkley, who speaks for the Opposition on national security issues, said it is important for Members of Parliament to work together "regardless of political stripe".

"It is also up to us as political leaders to set the tone and take the action to advance solutions that work for all of us as Bermudians," he said. "There are some positives steps in this regard. The Joint Select Committee on Crime has convened and begun its work. "In addition, the Government's Throne Speech signalled a new resolve with the formation of a Ministry of National Security.

"We are pleased to learn of consideration by Government for a second Police Support Unit and a Gang Task Force, ideas we have called for in the past."

Sen. Dunkley said the rising crime, particularly gun incidents, means politicians must break the "political taboo" and start working together. Since May 2009 when the gang shootings started 40 people were shot including the 11 people who were killed.

The last official crime statistics for 2010 from the Bermuda Police Service stated there have been 54 confirmed firearms incidents as of September 30, compared to 37 in 2009. There have also been 112 unconfirmed in the first nine months of the year, compared to just 50 last year.

Sen. Dunkley said: "We look forward to supporting worthy initiatives that emerge from the Ministry and also to putting forward solutions as we have done in the face of rising violence.

"We have an opportunity to break the partisan divide, to join hands and show Bermuda that its political leaders can work together to solve big problems. The people expect nothing less. "It's about putting country first. We must get Bermuda working again, and this is a good place to start."