Howard Barrell and Barry Streek
How do you react to the perception that both parties are ganging up against blacks?
That is nothing new. They have been saying that about us and about the DP [Democratic Party] for as long as I can remember. The problem with the ANC [African National Congress] is that they want to design their own opposition. We will be the most representative party this country has ever seen.
Is there any indication of dissidence in the New National Party apart from Manie Schoeman?
There are individuals in both parties who are not happy. This is understandable. Many fought each other for decades. For some of them it will be difficult, but we are going ahead.
Are you not afraid of more tensions within the party over the merger?
No, not at all. We had a very good federal council meeting and some concerns were raised. But the decision was unanimous – and very enthusiastic. If there are individuals who are not happy they are pretty isolated.
What are realistic objectives?
A party that can push the ANC under 50%. This is possible as the leadership becomes more representative. A party that does not stand back from the fight with the ANC.
What are the differences between the policies espoused by the DA and the ANC?
Definitely how we approach the issue of race. We will be arguing on the basis of non-racialism and not the two-nation concept. The ANC has shifted on economic policy, but we will have a stronger emphasis on the free market. We will be a very delivery-orientated party. The ANC is a very rigid organisation. They seem to want to force all their people to tow the line – on abortion, the death penalty, the moral issues for example. We will allow more freedom so that people can vote according to their conscience.
Will you fight as one political party?
We are very mindful of the constitutional provisions. We will fight the local government elections in November under the banner of the alliance. There will be a gradual and well-managed process to transfer functions from the NNP and DP to the alliance until we are a party in 2004. We will allow dual membership. We are now waiting for the speaker to find out whether we can sit together and operate as one unit. We will start with joint caucuses. The sooner we get one single team of spokespersons, the better.