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Slow approach from Government, says PDP
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The Government’s publication of a draft Motion on Parliamentary Reform displays lack of imagination and a painfully slow approach to this important question.
However while the Government’s proposed reforms fall well short of the comprehensive agenda proposed by the PDP it is to be welcomed as a necessary first step, they say, and add that they support the concept of inviting opinion from other political parties outside Parliament and other interested parties.
The party go on to recall that they published a comprehensive 27 point plan on enhancing democracy in July 2006.
It tackled a much wider agenda than simple parliamentary reform. This was followed up by the announcement of 20 specific measures that would be taken within the first 18 months of a PDP administration. The Government’s plans are very modest by comparison. In reply the GSLP is so far failing to make any specific proposals of its own, choosing instead to simply criticise the Government for dragging its feet.
While the GSLP is right that the Government could have moved more quickly the GSLP must also set out its concrete ideas soon or convince the electorate that their so-called commitment is just a set of empty words. Equally the Government must now drive this agenda through or convince people that by the next election this simply represents another failed manifesto promise and pre-electoral political grandstanding.
The PDP suggest that the electorate judge all parties by action not just words. It stands to be seen whether the GSD or GSLP have any real intention or commitment to democratic change.
They add: This much depends on how these parties approach the next few months. For the moment the PDP suspends its judgment and congratulates the Government on supporting the PDP's ambition to make long lasting changes to the way we are governed.
There is no reason why the modest changes proposed by Government, with which the PDP agree, should not be introduced before this Autumn. Legislation should be introduced before the election to enlarge the House so that the next election already takes place in a reformed environment. Otherwise the GSD and GSLP will together have conspired to waste another four years because a radically new way of doing things in Parliament requires an enlarged chamber and this would not occur till 2015 at the earliest.
Their Deputy Leader Nick Cruz said: “The electorate are not stupid and will judge the good faith of the Governments intention and the integrity of the Opposition by the steps taken between now and the forthcoming election to introduce the necessary changes once it takes into account the views of the PDP and others who will make contributions. If the new GSLP leader is serious then he will make serious proposals now instead of playing to the gallery and criticising Government for criticism’s sake. The proof of the pudding as they say is in the eating and the PDP looks forward to seeing what democratic credentials both Government and Opposition really have. Clear deadlines for their programme of work should be set if this is to become reality to avoid the political posturing of the past.”
18-05-11
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