31/10/2026
Leadership requires the maturity to work through disagreement.
In my view, NFP, like SODELPA, has jumped the gun while the parliamentary process is still underway. The Special Committee is bipartisan, bringing together government and opposition members. It is still considering public submissions, with room for negotiation, compromise and agreement.
Why draw final battle lines before the committee has completed its work and presented its report to Parliament?
The purpose of public consultation is to listen and allow people’s views to shape the outcome. Contentious proposals must be debated, differences worked through and common ground pursued. Taking a position is every party’s right. Treating that position as the end of the discussion undermines the very process established to resolve these issues.
These premature declarations also put their own MPs in a difficult position and risk deepening public disillusionment, division and distrust.
Our people expect us to sit at the table, talk through disagreements and find a way forward. They deserve representatives who can disagree firmly and still work together.
The Special Committee is still sitting. Its mandate is still in motion. Let it finish its work.
Principles should guide how we negotiate. They should never become an excuse to stop listening.
If we cannot manage disagreement within a bipartisan process, what confidence can we give our people that we can unite the country?
Leadership takes patience, judgment and the courage to compromise. Putting political pride ahead of that responsibility is political immaturity.
National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says he expects every member of the party’s parliamentary caucus to comply with a formal directive to vote against the Constitution Amendment Bill at its third reading.
