MOSES Lungu’s observation about the conduct and behaviour of our Members of Parliament in the House cannot go without comment. His statement that there has been a lot of unnecessary fighting in Parliament amongst Members of Parliament thereby reducing the House to a cheap platform for muscling themselves is valid.
We totally agree with him when he says our MPs are copying bad vices from other Parliaments across Africa which has compromised the dignity and decorum of the House and that the substance of Parliamentary debates was being reduced to mere rhetoric as a result because this is exactly what is happening now.
What we are seeing today is that our Parliament is so puffed up with politicking that even issues that need common sense and a sense of patriotism are looked at using political lenses and this has diluted the fluidity of the debates as soberness has been replaced with immaturity and irresponsibility.
The primary role of MPs is to represent the interests and concerns of their constituents in the legislative process. MPs are elected to serve as the voice of the people in Parliament and to advocate for policies and decisions that benefit their communities. This involves listening to the needs and priorities of their constituents, communicating their views in parliamentary debates, and working to address issues that affect the well-being of the people they represent.
In addition to representing their constituents, MPs also have a responsibility to contribute to the development of laws and policies that serve the broader interests of the country. This requires engaging in debates, participating in committee work, and collaborating with other MPs to make informed decisions that advance the common good.
Ultimately, the role of an MP is to be a dedicated and effective representative of the people, working tirelessly to address their concerns, uphold their interests, and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.
It is also crucial that all MPs, regardless of their party affiliation, are held accountable for their behaviour in Parliament. If an MP engages in misconduct, such as personal attacks, disruptive behaviour, or other forms of inappropriate conduct, they should be reprimanded and face consequences for their actions.
Upholding standards of conduct and ensuring that all MPs are held to the same level of accountability is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the parliamentary process. By enforcing disciplinary measures consistently and impartially, Parliament can demonstrate its commitment to upholding democratic values and promoting respectful and constructive debate.
The House should therefore prioritize the enforcement of rules and standards of behaviour in Parliament to ensure that all MPs are held to the same high standard of conduct.
It must be understood that the purpose of Parliament is to represent the people and make important decisions that will shape the future of the nation. Turning it into a spectacle diminishes the integrity of the institution and undermines the trust of the public. It is essential that MPs conduct themselves with dignity and respect in order to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
Parliament must uphold the values of democracy and serve as a beacon of rational discourse and thoughtful decision-making but what we are seeing today, especially among some new MPs who were elected in 2021 and some old guards who have thrown reason to the wind and joined the bandwagon of immaturity, is saddening.
Yes, MPs have the right to protest when they feel their rights are being infringed upon. For example, they even have the right to walk out of parliament in protest as a form of expressing their dissent or disagreement with a particular decision, policy, or action. Walking out can be a powerful symbolic gesture to draw attention to an issue or to demonstrate strong opposition to a decision being made in Parliament.
However, it is important for MPs to exercise this right judiciously and responsibly, taking into consideration the impact of their actions on the parliamentary process and the democratic system as a whole. Walking out should not be used as a routine tactic or a means to disrupt the functioning of Parliament, but rather as a last resort when other avenues of communication and negotiation have been exhausted.
Ultimately, the right to walk out of Parliament in protest is a fundamental aspect of parliamentary democracy that allows MPs to voice their dissent and hold the Government to account. It is a tool that can be used strategically and thoughtfully to bring attention to important issues and to uphold the principles of democracy and accountability.
However, when this becomes a traditional ceremony where every issue culminates into a walk-out, it becomes ridiculous and serves no purpose. Today, our Parliament is being turned into a circus where MPs can exchange words at the expense of sober debates. Some of the things we see and hear in Parliament today, have never been heard or seen since independence and this brings us to the question on the calibre of people we elect to represent us.
Politics must not be a mere populist contest and this is where us the electorates get it wrong. In Zambia, it is increasingly becoming a norm to vote for people based who makes the loudest noise or how sulky they are and there is no way we can expect people who exert thuggery behaviour and un-sanitised language to change once they get to Parliament. It is merely a transfer of mediocrity from the streets to Parliament and the result of our poor decisions are now showing.
What we are seeing today in Parliament has never been witnessed since independence. This country has had serious MPs who did not only spend their time reading and researching on a wide range of subjects, but also offered credible debates from an informed point of view in the House.
There are very few MPs today who can match the likes of former Vice Presidents George Kunda and Lupando Mwape, former Ministers of Agriculture, Mundia Sikatana or Brian Chituwo or even former Kalomo Central Member of Parliament Request Muntanga. These were seasoned, credible parliamentarians of impeccable integrity who understood their role.
Today, any Jim and Jack can go to Parliament and shamelessly turn our respected House into a circus and we will still clap for them because everything now is about politics even where it is not necessary. As long as we continue voting for people based on party lines and not their substance, we will continue getting a raw deal from them in Parliament and we are to blame.
