Guy McLaren

I have been staying away from the news, away from Politics and other things guaranteed to upset me. I heard about the convention via headlines, I thought so what another ANC breakaway, Remember the IDP? I did not think it could make a real difference.

Lets face it the IDP is like a flea on a dog, It worries and causes a scratch but generally the dog does what it wants despite the flea. The DA as an opposition is not a problem to the ANC, seriously it’s considered a white party. Our vote for the DA does not mean a lot.

Over the weekend the DA, the IDP, the ACDP and a whole lot of people from other parties including the ANC shared a stage. They spoke with a unified voice. I personally believe that this new party is a step in the right direction. I believe this is the most positive thing to happen in politics in this country in 15 or so years.

The last time I was this positive about anything political was when Nelson Mandela was released, and the time I got to vote for change, the first non racial elections. These to me were defining moments. I think we are now faced with a defining moment.

When this party officially launches, for the first time ever I will join and become a paid up member of a political party. I will campaign for the party and encourage every single person I meet to vote for the Party yet to be named.

Why do I think this party is so important? Lets start with the fact that they want bottom up representation. They want us to vote for our Mayor, for our local MP. They are saying that people that are placed by Party management is not beneficial to democracy. This is one issue that I already believe in.

They want to give the country back to the people. We will elect the person best suited to our own neighbourhood, not some fool that has a drink with the party secretary. If they get nothing else right, this will give us a say in how our town is run.

Face it we cannot do much about central government, Once those bastards are entrenched, they are entrenched. We can however call for the removal of our local councilors if we have the vote. If they are not doing their jobs we can fire their arses if we are voting for them.

Democracy never works like in the current format. We vote for a party and they then choose who gets the jobs. Thats not democracy, It’s an elected Dictatorship. We have an opportunity to throw our voices behind the voice of reason. Remember to register to vote next weekend. It’s important.