Phil Craig affirmed that the MPC will still vote with the MPC in legislative bodies after the election
The Referendum Party (RP) has received a formal letter from the Multi-Party Charter (MPC) rejecting its application to join, a decision that has disappointed but not surprised RP leaders.
RP leader Phil Craig stated, “At our launch in November 2023, we promised voters that nationally we would vote with the Multi-Party Charter to play our part in at least trying to remove the ANC from power. Regardless of this decision, we will honour that promise and vote with the MPC whether we are formally admitted to the charter or not. We are a party who keeps their promises.”
The rejection, however, raises questions about the MPC's approach. Despite the party's acknowledgment of South Africa's impending crisis, no serious polling company has given the MPC a realistic chance of becoming the national governing party post-2024. While support for the MPC is symbolically important, suggesting it is the only solution is deemed naive. Cape Independence, for example, offers a legitimate and attractive solution to the people of the Western Cape, many of whom have never supported the ANC.
Supporting Cape Independence for the Western Cape should not preclude the RP from endorsing other solutions for regions where the political landscape differs significantly.
With the potential for an ANC/EFF government looming, the right to self-determination is seen as a powerful tool to counter the potential havoc such a government could bring. Many MPC parties are already openly campaigning for various forms of self-determination.
In rejecting the RP, Action SA described the pursuit of Cape Independence as 'constitutionally offensive,' a stance the RP finds absurd. The Constitution and international charters signed by South Africa explicitly endorse self-determination, including secession as one recognized form. Section 127(2)(f) allows provincial premiers to call referendums, and section 231(2) ensures that international charters guaranteeing self-determination are law in the republic.
In a curious twist, the MPC has turned down RP support, which sought to formally consult the people of the Western Cape in a constitutional referendum on how they wish to respond to the threats the MPC was created to address. This rejection contrasts with many MPC parties' support for devolution of power, indicating a desire to devolve power from the ANC but not as far as to the people themselves.
