UPND more useful as opposition party – Shamenda
By Ludia Ngwadzai
YOU must be back in the opposition to provide effective checks and balances, former minister of labour Fackson Shamenda has told the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
In an interview with The Mast Wednesday, Shamenda said the UPND performed well as an opposition political party and should be praised for keeping the government of the time in check.
“The UPND was a force to reckon with when it was in opposition, showcasing remarkable discipline and unity that ultimately propelled it to power. The UPND kept government in check. It gave government then sleepless nights,” he said.
Shamenda, however, expressed disappointment with the UPND’s performance in the four years they have been in government.
“They were good before they formed government, compared to now,” he said.
Shamenda suggested that the UPND’s strength lay in opposition, where it could effectively hold the weak government accountable.
“I admire the UPND as an opposition political party. They are very disciplined, strong and united. In my view, I would rather have UPND in opposition because they will keep the weak government in check,” he said.
A strong opposition was needed in a democracy for checks and balances.
Shamenda said in a democracy it was not possible to give a blank cheque to the ruling party because it would compromise governance.
“In any democracy, a strong opposition is important and cardinal. It plays its oversight role effectively, a government is kept in check for excessive power or abuse of power,” he said.
Shamenda said it was better for the nation to have a weaker ruling party in power than in the opposition.
“I would rather have a weak political party in State House rather than a weak opposition,” he said
Shamenda said the regime change that took place in 2021 “…even the fall of Bill 10, was because of the discipline exhibited by UPND in the opposition. It defeated Bill 10 during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime. And the UPND did well in that area,” Shamenda said.
