POLITICS

De Lille clarifies position on opposition realignment

ID leader dismisses reports that she will be elected DA federal chairperson in July

ID'S PATRICIA DE LILLE SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON ID'S POSITION ON OPPOSITION POLITICS

ID President Patricia de Lille says recent media reports ‘have made it necessary to restate the ID's position on opposition politics in South Africa.'

The position the ID Leader is referring to is contained in a Resolution passed by the party's structures at the ID National Conference on 20 March earlier this year. It states -

Preamble

Whereas the National Conference of the Independent Democrats remains committed to strengthening opposition politics and recognises the importance of advancing constitutional democracy in South Africa,

Ratifies the decisions of the National Executive Committee of May and November 2009, to pursue discussions with opposition parties in order to achieve a re-alignment of opposition politics in SA,

Notes the combined reports of all its structures in support of its participation in the re-alignment of opposition politics in South Africa,

Hereby resolves that

Authority be granted to its National Executive Committee to:

1. Pursue further deliberations with likeminded opposition Parties and conclude any agreement it deems necessary, within a period not exceeding 180 days from date of this Resolution.

2. That such agreement/s shall be reported to all structures of the Independent Democrats within a period not exceeding 14 days of concluding such agreement.

ENDS...

Recent media reports quoted a member of the DA's "inner circle" as saying Ms De Lille would be elected to the position of Federal Chairperson of the DA at that party's national congress on 25 and 26 July.

‘The goal of this story was obviously to sow confusion amongst our supporters and members. The leadership of the Independent Democrats would like to reassure our supporters that we will continue to act within the strict mandate we received from our party's structures at the ID National Conference on 20 March 2010.'

Statement issued by the Independent Democrats, May 3 2010

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