"One asks a question, where would an MP get resources to develop his constituency? Of course it is from the Government of the day. An MP must think development, talk development and dream development. It is with a heavy heart that today I have to announce my resignation as area MP and as a member of UPND"
(Source : Times of Zambia)
Howard Sikwela recently became the the first parliamentarian to abandon UPND in this parliament. But he is coming off the back of recent MMD defections - Steven Masumba and Gabriel Namulambe, who were MMD parliamentarians in Mufumbwe and Mpongwe constituencies, respectively. It looks like Catherine Namugala may join them - currently suspended.
But it's not the resignations that should concern us. This is expected under "belly politics" with poor ideological platforms and disorganised opposition parties. There's in fact a positive slant to this : PF experienced the same in opposition (when the rebels shifted their support to MMD) and it helped cleanse PF as a party. PF was left with a core group more clear and more determined about change. Resignations are part of a creative destruction process of renewing political parties.
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