Regulating political parties, conflicting financing

The controversy over the financing of political party campaigns, especially by external forces, continues to rage locally the closer we come to the date of the next elections. The row is so big that it has spread to the rest of the region, and beyond.{{more}}

First, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves wrote an open letter to the people of the CARICOM region, including Heads of Government and the CARICOM Secretariat, making serious allegations about what he termed “foreign interference” in the politics of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In it not only did he accuse the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of harbouring foreign elements, but went on to accuse the NDP of being funded by those sources.

In turn, the NDP has replied in like manner, also writing openly to the people of the region. In the reply NDP leader Arnhim Eustace not only rubbished Gonsalves’ charges, but opined that it was the Prime minister himself, by refusing to account for a $1 million deposit in the National Commercial Bank, who was “exposing our country to suspicions of money-laundering”. Whatever one thinks of the merits or demerits of the political charges and counter-charges, it is obvious that it is the good name of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its people which is in danger of being tainted.

Any non-national can be forgiven for thinking that our political system is whorish in character with political parties open to funding, and possible manipulation by external forces. While the accusations across the political divide are no doubt serious, it is that negative perception of our country which must be of even greater concern to all of us. That is not going to be fixed by simply voting for the “right” people. Far more fundamental change is needed to our body politic in order to guard against such nefarious dealing.

A real glimmer of hope has flickered across the horizon early in September. The Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Jamaica held a two-day conference in Jamaica for political parties in the CARICOM region, both those in government as well as their counterparts on the Opposition benches. There could not have been a more timely meeting (at least where SVG is concerned, given the proximity of our elections) or more relevant topic, “financing political parties and campaigns”. The deliberations on this topic, and the conclusions reached, in the Conference itself, but even more importantly in full discussion by the people of the region and their respective Parliaments, can go a long way towards helping to provide solutions to this thorny problem.

General Secretaries of political parties throughout the CARICOM region were invited to participate in the meeting. It is my understanding that the governing ULP was not represented, for whatever reason still to be disclosed, but the opposition NDP was represented by its General Secretary, Allan Cruickshank. One can only hope that the NDP, through Mr.Cruickshank, would take the opportunity to publicise the conclusions of the Conference, to encourage its members to engage in debate on the issues arising, and to spearhead wide public debate, including in Parliament, on the issue. As for the ULP, having raised “blue murder” about alleged foreign funding of its opponents, it is now incumbent on it to take up the challenge of the OAS and seek to get cross-party support for legislation to cure the ills of the current system.

Central to the Jamaica meeting was model legislation developed by the OAS which it hopes will be taken up by the respective parties, publicized widely and canvassed for support with the aim of the various countries themselves enacting appropriate variations to suit their particular circumstances. As OAS Secretary General Jose Manuel Insulza pointed out, the OAS draft is not meant to be a “one size fits-all” prescription, to be implemented blindly throughout the region, but rather is to be used as a basis and adopted to suit the peculiar circumstances of each country.

Just a couple weeks ago, this column referred to the new Constitution adopted by the people of Kenya. Included in that document are instruments providing for the regulation of political parties as a key element of the democratic system. It is interesting to note that the OAS model goes down that road as well. Thus, the OAS Head speaks of three areas which need to be addressed in our region. He begins with the political party, as a key institution in our system of governance. In spite of the critical role of the political party in our system, there is no clear provision for regulation. Any Tom, Dick or Mary can claim to have a political party, there is no legal requirement governing membership, etc. No wonder we get so many fly-by-night and phantom parties!

Thus, Sr. Insulza says: “Political parties need a juridical definition. Are they public or private institutions? Should they rely on private contributions, public funds or a combination thereof? Should it be a state responsibility to provide funds for the functioning of political parties and their campaigns?”

It is an issue right at the heart of the debate about political party financing and governance of parties. For if the institution which provides us with a government by virtue of its success in general elections, is not regulated, has no watchdog as to how it functions, what can we expect from it when in government? It makes no sense for us to be all over the place, frothing at the mouth about million-dollar deposit, $5 million contribution and the like if we are not going to take a rational look and ensure that we fix the broken parts in the system. Party regulation is seen by the OAS as one such solution.

We continue next week.

Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.