Election 2004 Manifesto: Part 2
Part 2 covers Patricia de Lille's Statement of Intent, the Guiding Principles of the ID and Protecting our Democracy.
PATRICIA DE LILLE'S STATEMENT OF
INTENT
"We believe the Constitution of South Africa is the highest authority in the country. It must be upheld not only in its entirety, but also in its spirit. The establishment of our first democratic Parliament held out the promise of a new South Africa, the promise of a just and humane society that would be tolerant of differences, and would restore dignity to the people and uphold the value of life. In order to achieve our vision we must deepen our democracy. We urgently need to explore alternative policies and to hold the government accountable for their promises. We must keep government transparent. South Africa needs a clean new political party with principles and vision. South Africans from all walks of life are finding a home in the ID. With the ID, South Africans at last have a chance to vote for a party with a future, not a history of failure."
THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE ID
The Constitution and its Bill of Rights are the guiding principles upon which we base our policies. We stand for an open and free society. We believe in entrepreneurship and the market, but also that government must protect those who are vulnerable and destitute.
PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY
Challenges: Government has sought to undermine the separation of powers between the Executive and Parliament with the arms deal, its years of delay in dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its actions around Zimbabwe. Too much power is concentrated in the Presidency. Parliament is failing in its role of oversight. MPs continually vote on party lines to please the leadership and not according to their conscience. We need independent-minded parliamentarians. The ID Solutions: South Africa must move from a purely proportional system of representation to one that is constituency-based. MPs must be accessible to their constituents. We will work to limit the crossing-of-the-floor legislation.
"We believe the Constitution of South Africa is the highest authority in the country. It must be upheld not only in its entirety, but also in its spirit. The establishment of our first democratic Parliament held out the promise of a new South Africa, the promise of a just and humane society that would be tolerant of differences, and would restore dignity to the people and uphold the value of life. In order to achieve our vision we must deepen our democracy. We urgently need to explore alternative policies and to hold the government accountable for their promises. We must keep government transparent. South Africa needs a clean new political party with principles and vision. South Africans from all walks of life are finding a home in the ID. With the ID, South Africans at last have a chance to vote for a party with a future, not a history of failure."
THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE ID
The Constitution and its Bill of Rights are the guiding principles upon which we base our policies. We stand for an open and free society. We believe in entrepreneurship and the market, but also that government must protect those who are vulnerable and destitute.
PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY
Challenges: Government has sought to undermine the separation of powers between the Executive and Parliament with the arms deal, its years of delay in dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its actions around Zimbabwe. Too much power is concentrated in the Presidency. Parliament is failing in its role of oversight. MPs continually vote on party lines to please the leadership and not according to their conscience. We need independent-minded parliamentarians. The ID Solutions: South Africa must move from a purely proportional system of representation to one that is constituency-based. MPs must be accessible to their constituents. We will work to limit the crossing-of-the-floor legislation.
