ActionSA Notes Election of Office Bearers, Pledges to be Constructive Opposition
Athol Trollip
ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader
ActionSA notes the outcomes of the election of office bearers during the inaugural meeting of the National Assembly today and respects the outcomes of the institution of our Parliament.
Despite withholding our vote for President Ramaphosa given a lack of information of how the coalition government will be constituted, ActionSA wishes President Ramaphosa, Speaker Didiza and Deputy Speaker Lotriet well in the execution of their constitutional duties.
ActionSA affirms to these office bearers, and the parties they represent, that ActionSA will play the role of a constructive opposition in Parliament. When consulted about rational and beneficial proposals that serve South Africans, ActionSA’s support can be counted upon. However, when accountability needs to be meted out, ActionSA will be the strongest voice in Parliament and will not relent in holding any member of the executive to account.
With the election of the DA/ANC coalition, it is now time to move on from the politics of fear of the ‘worst possible outcome’ and move on the politics of performance. ActionSA will not allow the bar of effective government to be lowered simply because the alternative may have been a less desirable outcome. The ‘least worst’ outcome does not justify compromised governance.
ActionSA remains concerned that opposition parties taking up positions, with their associated perks and privileges, in government with the ANC will undermine the principles of transparency and accountability. There are fundamental differences between the parties in this new coalition, and it remains to be seen how they navigate these differences while maintaining the stability they have promised.
In this respect ActionSA remains committed to working with other uncompromised opposition parties in the rational centre to ensure that this government does not go unchecked given the ANC’s extensive record in corruption and maladministration.
ActionSA Notes Election of Office Bearers, Pledges to be Constructive Opposition
ActionSA notes the outcomes of the election of office bearers during the inaugural meeting of the National Assembly today and respects the outcomes of the institution of our Parliament.
Despite withholding our vote for President Ramaphosa given a lack of information of how the coalition government will be constituted, ActionSA wishes President Ramaphosa, Speaker Didiza and Deputy Speaker Lotriet well in the execution of their constitutional duties.
ActionSA affirms to these office bearers, and the parties they represent, that ActionSA will play the role of a constructive opposition in Parliament. When consulted about rational and beneficial proposals that serve South Africans, ActionSA’s support can be counted upon. However, when accountability needs to be meted out, ActionSA will be the strongest voice in Parliament and will not relent in holding any member of the executive to account.
With the election of the DA/ANC coalition, it is now time to move on from the politics of fear of the ‘worst possible outcome’ and move on the politics of performance. ActionSA will not allow the bar of effective government to be lowered simply because the alternative may have been a less desirable outcome. The ‘least worst’ outcome does not justify compromised governance.
ActionSA remains concerned that opposition parties taking up positions, with their associated perks and privileges, in government with the ANC will undermine the principles of transparency and accountability. There are fundamental differences between the parties in this new coalition, and it remains to be seen how they navigate these differences while maintaining the stability they have promised.
In this respect ActionSA remains committed to working with other uncompromised opposition parties in the rational centre to ensure that this government does not go unchecked given the ANC’s extensive record in corruption and maladministration.