Independents adamant on bloc

Independent members of Parliament (MPs) have reacted with indignation to the ruling by the Speaker Richard Msowoya that they could not be recognised as a bloc.
Fifty-two independents were elected to Parliament in the May 20 Tripartite Elections, but so far 19 have joined the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whereas the official opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has claimed four.
Independent MPs raised the matter last week through their leader, Chikwawa North MP Harry Thomson, and the business committee meeting held yesterday shot down the proposal.

Communicating the decision, Msowoya said Standing Orders of Parliament recognised independent MPs as individuals and not a bloc.
Said Msowoya: “So, I ask independent MPs to submit requests on how they want to be seated in the chamber as per Standing Orders.”
Immediately after Msowoya’s announcement, independent MPs David Bisnowaty (Lilongwe City Centre), Thomson, Frank Mwenifumbo (Karonga Central), Boniface Kadzamira (Ntchisi North) and Benedicto Chambo (Mangochi North) held a caucus on the way forward.
Spokesperson for the independents, Mwenifumbo, said the MPs wanted to maintain their independence and refused to sit on either government or opposition benches.
Said Mwenifumbo: “We also feel the business committee was out of order to discuss matters pertaining to us without representative of our group.”
Thomson said Standing Orders needed to be changed to reflect the increase in independent MPs in Parliament.
He said their numbers in the House ranged between 29 and 33 since only 19 had written the Speaker that they had officially joined a political party.
The independent MPs have also indicated that they would propose amendments to Standing Orders through Legal Affairs Committee when it is convened.
However, the Speaker agreed that the business committee erred in not hearing the independent MPs side of the story.
Meanwhile, Msowoya announced that Parliament would adjourn sine die on Friday, July 4.
Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe is expected to table the provisional budget on Friday, June 27 while government bills and other ministerial statements would be brought to the House between Monday and Friday next week.