5 July 2022
In today’s Island Sun newspaper, I read a statement made by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Matthew Wale when he said, and I quote.
“It is undeniable that our security issues are internal, and our police forces must continue to grow in their capacity and ability to deal with security issues.
“However, it is also undeniable that our Nation’s security concerns are heavily linked with problems of corruption, high levels of unemployment, no access to education, poor health services, a low paid public sector, a suffocated private sector, and an exploitative economy that only benefits a few.”
Wale said because our security concerns have underlying causes the solution cannot be a military response.
Mr Wale insists that the permanent solution is a government and leadership that listens and is responsive to the cries and voices of the people.
“Listening and responding to the voices of the people has not been something Government has been doing. Under the PM’s leadership, Government’s attitude towards Provinces and the people has been a rule by power approach.
End of quote.
Some might be disturbed by what Mr Wale said, but one must be mindful of the the role and function of the opposition in a democracy.
Let me make the situation clear on the point.
Opposition and democracy are inter-related and cannot be separated from each other. Opposition is the very breath and soul of a democracy and therefore role and significance of opposition in a parliamentary democracy can neither be exaggerated nor down played.
One cannot think of a successful democracy without a strong, united and constructive opposition.
Opposition works as a watchdog of public interests in a democracy and keeps the ruling party on its toes and criticizes the policies and programs of the government which they think are not in consonance with the public good. Therefore, a strong and constructive opposition is necessary for the functioning of a government in a democracy. But the only criterion is that the opposition should not oppose for the sake of opposition but should work for constructive opposition for the common good of the public.
Democracy without a strong and constructive opposition becomes authoritarian in nature and exceeds its delineated jurisdiction which is not in the interest of a democracy. In fact, for the successful working of parliamentary democracy a strong and viable opposition is a must and it is the responsibility of the ruling party to respect the opposition for the growth, development and flourishing of a democracy.
But the opposition should not criticize each and every action of the government for the sake of opposition but should act for constructive criticism which leads to growth of democracy and fulfillment of the public good.
But the opposition should not blindly oppose acts of the government.
Opposition thus should not obstruct the governance but should rather facilitate it.
Opposition parties are inseparable components/elements of the parliament and they should function according to the rules of the game, reassuring the application of those checks and balances with their contribution to government policies and constructive criticism.
In fact, opposition parties oppose the parties in power by voicing their different views,
The role of opposition is to constructively criticize the policies and programs of the government and make the government to work in accordance with the public good.
The opposition’s main role is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to public. The manner in which opposition parties work together can influence the outcomes –
Constructively criticizing the policies, plans, bills, laws which in accordance with them are against the common people’s welfare are the functions of the opposition parties.
Opposition should highlight the negative points of these. Opposition in fact acts as the real voice of the people and the society.
To sum up opposition has a very important and positive role to play in a democracy. Its role is not to criticize each and every decision of the government but should support those actions and decisions which are good and in public interest.
Source. Northline.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
