UDF kicked out of Parliament Business Committee

The United Democratic Front (UDF), which relocated from opposition to government benches, continues to lose its identity in Parliament with Speaker Richard Msowoya announcing the party has lost membership in the Business Committee.

Lilian Patel: UDF chief whip out of Business Committee
Lilian Patel: UDF chief whip out of Business Committee

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MPs questioned the decision by Speaker to include Lilian Patel as UDF chief whip in the business committee when the party will no longer have a leader or representation in the House.

Dedza South West MP Clement Mlombwa (MCP) cited Standing Order 155, which states that the business committee shall comprise the Speaker, leader of the House, leader of opposition, leaders of parties not in government and opposition party whips.

The Speaker who promised to consult with the business committee on the way forward on Monday reported back to the House the committee discussed the issue of UDF membership in the Business Committee

“I wish to inform the House that, after a careful consideration of Standing Order 155, the Business Committee resolved that UDF cannot have representation in the Business Committee,” the Speaker told the House.

UDF described its partnership with DPP as a ‘parliamentary coalition’.

There have been calls to have UDF MPs who have relocated to government benches have their seats declared vacant for floor crossing.

But associate professor of law Edge Kanyongolo of Chancellor College argues that by just physically moving to the government side, UDF MPs had not contravened the spirit of Section 65, which describes the process of “crossing the floor”.

UDF has 11 MPs seated on the government side, which has increased DPP’s numerical strength in the 193-member National Assembly to 63, excluding Banda and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Clement Chiwaya who are UDF, but not affected by the move.

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moni
moni
8 years ago

Palibe chopeteka ngati kusaona comment yako yomwe siunanyoze wina aliyense pomwe macomment onyoza ali mbwe mbwe. Kudana mkuwuzidwa chilungamo.

Chinyengo
Chinyengo
8 years ago

Atupele and UDF are slowly but surely losing their identity because of greed. You are like quick sand you can’t stand your ground???

Nkhamenya
Nkhamenya
8 years ago

Atupele you need to get your act together. You’re coming across as a very disoriented, clueless leader with no sense of direction/purpose. Mathanyula has you wrapped around his little fingure……….. What a shame!!!!

Wanga ndi yemweyo
Wanga ndi yemweyo
8 years ago

Zikuchitika ku Malawi! There are only two courses of action that the honourable MPs for UDF can take. Either continue to stay on the Government benches or go back where they came from – the opposition side. The only problem is that both choices will bring shame to the party for the rest of the term. Talk of finding oneself between a rock and a hard surface, and I will tell you this is where Atcheya’s party finds itself in today’s politics. End of an era – UDF is dying in instalments!!!

Rodriguas Latata
Rodriguas Latata
8 years ago

Clap hands for Atupele for his wise and dynamic leadership, leading UDF.

Phodogoma
Phodogoma
8 years ago

Richard Msowoya. You are the speaker for the government of Malawi under parliament. You are not for MCP. If you dare to do that then you are likely to mercy up the country. Look at Chimunthu Banda, he was not for PP, but he served the PP government on several occasions. We had Mr Munyenyembe who was not for the then ruling party but he supported the then government to the extent of suffocating in parliament during the session. Remember all the speakers do not become an MP after the expiry period of speakerhood. They make money money. With such… Read more »

ibrahim makwati
ibrahim makwati
8 years ago

you guys if u dont aware go back to your UDF side otherwis it will be shem to u

Cathy
Cathy
8 years ago

Am very ashamed of your comments i think before commented you need to read the constitution. The Constitutuion is very clear on this UDF has not crossed the floor. UDF MP have not voluntarily ceased to be members of UDF. kodi ma lawyers enatu who are commeting on Radios, TV did not spent 5 years at College. I doubt. i am not a lawyers by professional but i have read the constitution.

MASO A GULU
MASO A GULU
8 years ago

THIS REMINDS ME OF CHIHANA PARTY (AFFORD )

DAYS ARE GONE WHEN YOU CAN BE FOOLING PEOPLE AROUND

LONG LIVE SPEAKER !

YOU ARE A HERO TO OUR NATION

GooNgayikosya
GooNgayikosya
8 years ago

Abale tawerenganinso malamulo athu kachiwiri musanaike ndemanga zanu apa. pali wa udf analengeza kuti ndalowa dpp? umbuli bwanji anzathu tiyeni titengetsanatu apa.You think mu udf mulibe odziwa malamulo.crossing the floor ndi reallocating ndi zofanana? inu zolinga zanu ndi zoti tizingokokana kokana ndi wolamula zili zonse osati kuthandizana kutukula dzikoli kagweleni uko we will fight tooth and nail to teach you how politics works in our country. we know where it is coming from and why. DUMBO MPAKA LITI lets meet in the court of laws mwasowa chonena eti crossing the floor ndani kanundu eti

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