BILL 10 BEYOND PARTY POLITICS : WESTERN PROVINCE MPS ADVISED

FROM boycotting the Na- tional Democratic Fo- rum to Walking out of parliament this is a summary of the partici- pation of the United Par- ty for National Develop- ment (UPND) in the con- stitutional amendment process of 2019 now known as Bill 10. This is definitely the most awk- ward way to get any- thing done but in the wisdom of the UPND parliamentarians, disap- pearing and absconding is the most effective way to produce a people driv- en constitution how ironic?.

Simple logic would tell you that the direction in which we steer the country is our responsi- bility while taking into account the views of the people is a prerogative which we magnani- mously exercise, the ul- timate result is the standard by which the electorate will evaluate us

The deafening factor in this discourse is the fact that politicking and ulte- rior motives by the opposition has taken over reason and good judge- ment. Because many of us that have the sobriety of mind to objectively analyze the document have found relief in it as one that finally puts the perpetual constitutional refinement in the law to rest.

The loudness of the dis- senting voices is not proportional to the pop- ulation of dissenters. It’s just that they are well funded and dedicated to this cause unlike the ruling party that have to divide its time and re- sources between manag- ing the country and con- stitutional reform.

Blind party loyalty, emo- tions and politics aside, the first reason put was forward by the UPND is full of malice and ill-will while lacking merit. Re- fusing to participate in order to delegitimize the process is a dirty trick. Democracy is about dia- logue.

The second reason ad- vanced by Kakoma is factual but irrelevant. While it is true that at second reading a bill comes back as it was at first reading, it’s at this is the most critical stage in the life of a bill that parliamentarians must dare not miss.

What is of interest now is to see what reason the UPND will have for walking away apart from plain anachronism? Since contentions themes are fast fading out of bill 10 through the clarity offered by the minister of Justice it’s now time for us to am- plify our voices for good.

Members of parliament especially from western province have a chance to enact a law that brings to an end succes- sion wrangles which are almost be- coming characteris- tic of the province. It’s on our members of parliament to promote

this bill that establishes a clear and straight forward meth- ods for handling disputes.

It’s time for our mem- bers of Parliament to break the culture of us- ing youths only as tools of political machinations while keeping them out of parliament where im- portant decisions are made. The youths of western province will definitely not forgive any MP that will seek to keep them out by shoot- ing down bill 10.

We shall go into your constituencies both op- position and independ- ents to tell women, and the differently disabled how you shot down a law that gives them rep- resentation in parlia- ment. You might not put too much importance on women or think that the disabled are in the mi- nority, but remember they have relatives and friends who in solidarity with them shall wait for you to come and ask for their votes in 2021. It does not make sense to have an opposition that shoots down a bill that seeks to diversify the composition of members of parliament through party representation.

Bill 10 is a progressive piece yet a human crea- tion thus not immune to frailties. It is the frailties that exemplify our hu- maneness thus making the participation critical. This is simply beyond politics. Mr. Bright Kufuka is the Provincial Chair- person for the Patriot- ic Front in Western Province

The loudness of the dissenting voices is not proportional to the population of dissenters t s ust that they are well funded and dedicated to this cause