PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says the PF is not just the most democratic party in Zambia, but exists for the poor and shall continue to be the leading political force in the nation.

And Mwila says political parties that do not practice intra-party democracy are unlikely to form government.

In the PF’s weekly newsletter to News Diggers! Mwila stated that whereas other political parties existed to promote the ambitions of certain individuals, the PF had demonstrated practical commitment to promoting democracy and good governance internally and externally.

“Whereas other political parties exist to promote the ambitions and aggrandisement of certain individuals who even go to the extent of institutionalizing dictatorship by manipulating indefinite term clauses into their constitutions, the Patriotic Front has demonstrated practical commitment to promoting democracy and good governance internally and externally. The Patriotic Front, therefore, stands out undisputed, not just as the most democratic party in Zambia, but more poignantly, as the only democratic party in our nation,” Mwila argued.

“While others are blindly driven by dogmatic regional inclinations, as well as cult personality and the questionable fleeting wealth of an elitist few; PF is driven by entrenched democratic principles across its structures represented in the length and breadth of Zambia. This national intra-party democratic attribute has engendered a sense of ownership and belonging by the majority poor and people across the social strata.”

And Mwila added that PF existed for the poor.

“Patriotic Front is the people; and the people are Patriotic Front. We exist for the poor among us. The party demands hard work, honesty, sacrifice and self-reliance in all activities to improve the living conditions and ensure greater benefits to the people of Zambia,” Mwila added.

He stated that because of its democratic nature, the PF yearned for more robust engagement on things that mattered to Zambians and refuses to be bogged down by mudslinging or name-calling politics.

“Because of our democratic nature, we yearn for more robust engagement on things that matter to the Zambian people. PF has further demonstrated that accountability and transparency are key elements in fulfilling our people-given mandate. We have continued to show our commitment to promotion of dialogue and peaceful coexistence of political parties. This is because from our founding, we have held the strong belief that democracy is about engaging in robust and healthy political discourse and not acrimonious altercation devoid of substance,” Mwila stated.

“That is why, as a party, we have refused to be bogged down by any mudslinging, name-calling and card-stacking politics aimed at stalling development. Zambia at 54 must do away with ‘personality politics’ by embracing politics of substance.”

Meanwhile, Mwila noted that undemocratic cults of personality were unlikely to form government, adding that the PF was more likely to remain in government because the party adheres to intra-party democracy.

“It has widely been observed that a political party that adheres to intra-party democracy like PF is more likely to form and remain in government than one that does not. This is because a political party that does not practice intra-party democracy cannot be trusted by the people to respect and promote democracy if they formed government. Charity begins at home and this is true for democracy!” he said.

“How can political parties that do not practice intra-party democracy effectively participate in the growth of our national democracy when they have not held intra-party elections for more than a decade; some of them since 2005? How can they give what they do not have?”

He insisted that the PF would continue to be the leading political force in the nation.

“The Patriotic Front shall continue to be the leading political force, and it shall continue to be the revolutionary organization it is, because internal participatory democracy shall continue to be rigidly and strictly maintained wielded together by patriotism and the voluntary acceptance of belonging to it. Therefore, no one dare challenge us when we affirm that the Patriotic Front remains Zambia’s number one party of choice – head and shoulders above any other!” stated Mwila.