Party members made a number of requests at the party’s recent conference held in Jwaneng. Hence, they want special conference to provide clarity on which BNF policies are aligned with those of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government, which require improvement and which may have to be discarded altogether. A source said the members are increasingly concerned about the relevance of some of the party’s longstanding policies now that the organisation is part of a governing coalition and has representatives occupying key positions in government. “Members wanted to know which policies are not aligning with the UDC, which ones need to be improved, and which ones should be discarded altogether,” the source said. The source added the policy debate will not only be about ideological differences, but also about whether members are being adequately consulted before important decisions are taken. “Again, members wanted to know why they are asked to stamp some things when they do not listen to their pleas or suggestions. “Currently, members are demanding to know what has been achieved, the number of members employed and reports from ministers,” Mmegi was informed.
The concerns reflect growing pressures within the BNF for its leadership to account to ordinary members on the party’s performance since becoming part of the UDC-led government. Members are reportedly interested to know what concrete benefits the party’s participation in government has brought to its supporters and whether commitments made during the elections are being implemented. Furthermore, they want ministers who come from the BNF to provide reports on their performance and explain what they have achieved in their respective ministries. The demands come at a time when the party has to navigate the difficult transition from being a longstanding opposition movement to being part of a governing coalition. The transition has created a new political reality for the party, as it needs to reconcile its traditional ideological positions with the practical responsibilities of exercising state power. BNF spokesperson, Carter Joseph, confirmed in an interview on Tuesday, that the special policy conference is expected to address issues arising from the party’s new position in government. Joseph revealed the conference is intended to address issues that reconcile the party with state power.
