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John Briceno was elected as the PUP Leader in a convention on Sunday – and since then he has been moving swiftly to consolidate his leadership by meeting with his adversaries within the party, squashing whatever beef they have and inviting them on-board. Today, he hoped to put that new-found unity on display when the new executive was sworn in at party headquarters. 7News was there:..

Henry Usher - Chairman, PUP

"It is time for us to get to work for our people and for our country. We must stand united behind our leader."

And today as they took the oath of office, one sensed a possibility that the long divided PUP possibly could come together as one.

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"Everywhere we went, in every village in every community, town or city, we heard the same cry, we need to unite. And today I am promising the party members and this nation that the People United's Party is united, it's strong and it's ready to take over the government in Belmopan." (Applause)

The entire new executive there, as were other personalities and former executive members, but one notable face we didn't see was Cordel Hyde's.

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"The Honourable Cordel Hyde is not a member of the national executive. He offered himself as leader and was not successful in his bid but I can assure you I've met with him yesterday, we had a very fruitful discussion and I have given a commitment that we are going to find a space for him in the national executive and something that he has willingly accepted; so we're going to work that and we hope that we will also be able to sit around with us as we come up with plans and policies of the People's United Party."

And he also met with said Musa to discuss the privately owned party asset, the party headquarters at Independence Hall where they met today:

Jules Vasquez

"Right here we're in a privately owned asset of the PUP, Independence Hall. Is there any indication how will you manage that? The last time we see that nice photo, that was taken by the area removed, a plush executive suite; I think Mr. Espat furnished or arranged."

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"Is that really necessary man!? You don't need to say all of that man, please! But let me answer your question, let's not editorialize, let me answer the question about the assets. Even before the convention on Sunday, I met with the right Honourable Said Musa and he assured me that who so ever was to win the convention, they would have complete and free access to the assets. Yesterday I had a meeting with the Honourable former party leader Francis Fonseca and he was the one that brought it up to me and said that it is time for us to address the issue of the assets that yes; we can use the assets but we have to make sure that it is tidy up, that we can put it in a trust. I met with the right Honourable Said Musa yesterday morning and he was the one that brought up the issue about the assets and he was the one that suggested that we need to take all the party assets and put it in a trust for the People's United Party so that there can be no question as to who own these assets."

And Briceno also called on Fonseca – who had refused a seat on his executive the least time he was leader in 2012:

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"Our former party leader has been very gracious and we know that one of his strengths has been his humility and he has displayed that and I want to; to the Honourable Francis Fonseca, Sir thank you very much for all the work that you have done, I look forward for us to continue to work, you're not retiring yet."

Jules Vasquez

"What do you think is the fundamental difference if any between your taking office this time and the last time. I see you had an exhausted round of meetings yesterday from what you've said. However as we well know, history tells us that the undermining comments shortly after you took office, is there a different mood this time a distinctly different mood?"

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"This is a major mood Jules, the big cry out there and the sentiment from everybody be at the highest level in the party to the lowest level of the party is that we are going to unite."

And that means mending fences with Julius Espat:

Jules Vasquez

"I have certainly heard recordings and I would imagine your camp has if you don't have enough time to listen to them; where Julius Espat said some exceptionally acerbic and mean thing about you. Have you all ironed out these differences? I would say slanderous but it was in a close meeting I believe."

Hon. John Briceno - PUP Party Leader

"Jules the election finish, Julius and I have been friends for about 2 decades. One campaign is not going to damage that."

Briceno said that he has the support of the PUP Parliamentarians, and he expects to be sworn in as Leader of the Opposition later this week. After that he will review the party's senatorial line-up.