Why Do We Have Members of Parliament?

From Zambian Economist Thu Aug 14 2014, 22:55:00

When former Msanzala MP Joseph Lungu resigned and joined the PF in 2012 his only reason was that he wanted to "ensure development of Msanzala which had lagged behind for some time". Mr Lungu said he felt he could not take development to his area as an independent parliamentarian.

A year or so later Howard Sikwela became the the first parliamentarian to abandon UPND in this parliament. He said, "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".

His reasons were echoed at the time by MMD defectors Steven Masumba and Gabriel Namulambe. Defections of course are usually driven by our "belly politics", poor ideological platforms and disorganised opposition parties. But it is interesting that the public justification is always that the MP's job is to bring development to local area and it is easier to do that under the party in government.

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