‘MPs have to abide by our ideals’

Recently, the United Democratic Front secretariat wrote the Speaker of Parliament to relocate its MPs to the government side. In this interview with our reporter Boniface Phiri, UDF Secretary General Kandi Padambo explains more about this move and more. Excerpts:

Q: What necessitated this move by the UDF secretariat to ask the Speaker to relocate UDF MPs to government side?

A: The secretariat of the party does not work in isolation. The decision to relocate our Members of Parliament to the government side was made after open and candid discussions in relevant party structures beginning with the national executive committee (NEC) which, after the national conference, is the highest decision-making body. All our regional governors are ex-officio members of NEC.This ensures that crucial decisions by NEC reach all the levels of our hierarchy down to the branch.

The party understands that the programme of the ruling party is not very different, if at all, from our own agenda and as a result our position in the august House should reflect this reality.

QHow will you deal with MPs who are expressing misgivings about the move?

A: As I said, this was discussed at different levels of our hierarchy, and I must mention, including the party caucus with our Members of Parliament. I am sure if there are any MPs who are not in agreement or have misgivings, they will make their position known to our leadership in Parliament and through them, the party will be informed. Democracy is about abiding by the decision of the majority and all our members, including our MPs, subscribe to this overarching democratic ideal.

Q: Did you consult the grass-root followers when coming up with this decision?

A:  Participation by every grass root follower in a democratic decision might have worked in ancient Greece. But in modern democracies and democratic organisations the world over, what is practical is to leave judgements and decisions on most issues that may arise from time to time to an elected leadership with a mandate to be exercised for that purpose for a set period of time. In the case of UDF, the NEC, under the leadership of Right HonouableAtupeleMuluzi, was elected on 30 October 2012 with a six-year mandate to exercise the powers of the party as stipulated in our constitution.

But even with such a clear mandate, decisions on crucial matters are not normally made by the leadership alone. Issues are tackled and frankly discussed at various levels as earlier outlined.

Q: How will you convince your followers that the party is not being swallowed up by the Democratic Progressive Party as most of them are fearing?

A:  Our followers support the ideals and values that the United Democratic Front has always championed and stands for. They do understand that the party is fully mandated to enter into an alliance, coalition or working relationship with a political party or political parties. Precedents abound.

Q:  It appears all is not rosy in the UDF, especially in the Central Region where some NEC members are accusing the party’s vice-president Iqbar Omar of dividing the party by planting parallel structures.

A: We are aware of the chaos in the Central Region and we are aware of those responsible however they may disguise their moves. They are all going to be dealt with firmly sooner than later.

Q: Can you confirm (as it is being stated) that Mr Omar resigned? And what is the relationship between him and Hon Muluzi because we hear the two are no longer on talking terms?

A: I can confirm that at a NEC meeting in Lilongwe Honourable Omar did say that he had resigned from his position. Any resignation from a position in the party is, however, governed by a specific provision in our constitution. I find it difficult even to imagine my party president not being on talking terms with anybody.

Q: Can you confirm what we are hearing that Honourable Muluzi is being earmarked for the position of second vice president?

A: I am not aware of that, but what I can confirm is that the kind of relationship between UDF and DPP will help in creating an environment conducive for the forward moving of the country as a whole as our leaders are allowed to focus on real issues impacting on the standard of life of Malawians. This is one greater good one should expect from a political environment that is free from unnecessary destructive tensions.

So, that my party president, Right Honourable Muluzi has been earmarked for position of vice-president, is only a rumour and I am not in a position to confirm it.