Editorial
Accusations and innuendo do not behove leader of the opposition
Let us have statesmanship and responsibility, please
WE couldn't help being disappointed by the vague and unsubstantiated accusations and allegations that the leader of the opposition leveled against the government in a major speech recently. Instead, we urge her and her party to present before the nation credible evidence so that we can be persuaded to her point of view. Failing that she and her party should refrain from trading in inflammatory innuendo that is not backed up by evidence.
It would not to be too much to term the opposition leader's statements about the government alarmist. There is no call for such an irresponsible tone in political debate. Even worse, when such statements are made without a shred of accompanying evidence, we really must question their prudence.
We would welcome the opposition leader presenting her point of view, criticising the government, and opposing its policies. Indeed that is the constitutional role of the opposition, and it is a very important one, without which no democracy can function. But criticisms must be logical and grounded in fact, not wild and unsubstantiated.
The leader of the opposition has no lack of access to the media to make her case or to parliament to present her point of view. But we ask that she do so responsibly and with maturity. As one who has twice served as prime minister herself, as well as leader of the opposition, we are sure she understands the nation's expectations of her in her current role.
The issues she has brought up are serious ones, touching on national security. But to simply trade in alarmist rhetoric without any evidence and in so reckless a manner is to trivialise a serious matter. She should know that "crying wolf" is, in the end, counter-produtive.
Finally, her statement that she will co-operate with the government only if policy is changed to accommodate her views, is undue pressure, almost tantamount to blackmail, and something that we would hope she would know better than.
The nation needs maturity and statesmanship from the opposition, as much as from the government. This kind of slinging of accusations does a disservice to the people of the country, and, frankly, it does not advance the cause of the opposition, either.
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