So Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu wants to move away from adversarial politics?
Yesterday he spoke about bipartisanship. He talked about rebranding politics, and about doing away with adversarial politics, party politics, personality politics.
Whatever that means, it’s something Mr Seruiratu is now pretty passionate about.
In fact he is now talking more about it.
In fact he spoke about this in response to the revelation by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka that a leaders’ meeting that included the LOP, Opposition whip Jone Usamate, Deputy Opposition Leader Parveen Kumar, Attorney-General Graham Leung, G-9 ministers Viliame Naupoto and Mosese Bulitavu had ended on a sour note.
He revealed he had initiated the meeting, expressing his concerns about politics in Fiji.
“I basically shared how I have been seeing things in the last eight years as a minister with the FijiFirst government and as LOP,” he said.
“We need to look at the bigger picture.”
For whatever it is worth, a lot revolves around getting this right — our political front. There are many things Fijians want from their politicians, from the Opposition and from the Government!
People want good things in life and to be able to afford that. They want a roof over their heads and to be motivated and empowered to attain that.
They want food on the table, a good education, employment opportunities, financial assistance, good roads, a good health system, good and consistent supply of fresh water daily, and they want to feel safe in their own country among many other things.
This is when we look up to the powers that be for guidance and for motivation.
We have said this before. Every government minister must earn his or her keep! That includes those in the Opposition!
They all must be transparent. They must be accountable and be there to serve the people.
Again, we say, if this wasn’t the case over 13 or so years, then it must be the way forward. Those tasked to govern us must learn from the past. They must understand the dangers of suppression, when people’s voices are curtailed! There must be value placed on being aware of the demands and expectations of the people.
We must learn from the past.
We have to hold every MP accountable and doing what is expected of them in the House.
We should be able to look up to our Government governing with sincerity and integrity, and they should be held to account for their promises. And for all that Mr Seruiratu is saying, there has to be meaningful change!
The key is that great power rests with us the people, and those with the power to make decisions for us and our country, must reflect our collective will!
Maybe what we need is a political system that puts the needs of the people above party politics!
Our voices must never be silenced again!
