1. Discussions
In the light of the seriousness of the situation in the country, the leadership and management of the Federal Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus in the past couple of months had a number of exploratory discussions with each other. Issues which were discussed during these talks were similarities in policies and increased cooperation between the two parties.
The talks between the parties later focused on three possibilities, i.e.:
a) closer cooperation
b) alliance forming
c) formal unification between the Federal Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus.
2. Decisions:
Following serious consideration of all the possibilities the parties have decided on the following:
2.1 The principal of unification between the Federal Alliance of Dr. Luyt and the Freedom Front Plus of Dr. Mulder is immediately accepted.
2.2 That, as a result of various practical and constitutional issues unification can not be implemented immediately and that it would therefore be a process that will be completed over a period of time. This process has to be completed before the general elections of 2009.
2.3 The specific practical arrangements in the Gauteng Legislature, where the FA has representation, will have to be made. That it, inter alia, include the following:
2.4 That the FF Plus and the FA MPL’s in the Gauteng Legislature will function in one caucus. The new caucus will decide as to the attendance of committees and other Legislature activities. That the parties’ administrative services, within the rules of the Legislature, will be performed in consultation with each other.
2.5 On party political level, all members of the Federal Alliance on all levels are invited to also become members of the FF Plus and freely participate in branch and other activities in all the structures of the FF Plus.
3. Conclusion
What do we need in South Africa? We need our people to once again be inspired with hope and idealism for the future.
This new unity in the FF Plus is a continued action to give our people that hope and idealism again.
We believe that it is time for a political party to, with credibility and conviction, to oppose the governing party where necessary but at the same time offer solutions that would instill the people with true hope.
For that we do not only have to have a negative and destructive opposition. Rather a strong political party that could engage the government and render positive contributions.
A political party which is prepared to brazenly stand up for its people.
The FF Plus and the Federal Alliance, together wants to be such a party.
