Motion of No Confidence

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

As I said to the people of the Republic, this is a great betrayal that shows that the DSP can not be trusted to honour their agreements. If they can't honour their agreements in this Parliament--how can the people of Alduria expect them to live up to the agreements they make to them? The answer is simple: they can't.

Madam Speaker, the leader of the DSP made much ado about the fact that the Government wasn't taking steps to address problems. As he himself admits--he never used his position in Government to step up to the plate to take charge on these issues.

This Government can and must improve--but the answer to the uncertainties facing the people of the Republic right now is not further uncertainty and an election. We're at war, and now more than ever we need a strong, stable, and experienced Government at the helm to guide the Republic to victory and ensure the security of the Republic. Quite frankly, Madam Speaker, the leader of the DSP was terribly irresponsible triggering these actions during the middle of a war and the Leader of the Opposition should also be ashamed of plunging our Republic into uncertainty during these difficult times.

I face reality: we are now a minority Government. I don't dispute this. That doesn't change the fact that we're at war--and we must do all we can to keep a strong Government at the helm--a Government with experience--a Government with a proven track record of funding and supporting the Defense of the Republic. That is this Government.

I recognize that we will not be able to pass controversial legislation with a minority government--and frankly, Madam Speaker, I don't think that's a bad thing given our current situation.

Let me offer a constructive alternative. Let's vote down this motion. Support this Government so that we can see the end to this war or reach the term where elections are mandated--whichever comes first. Once this war is won, this Government will commit to holding fresh elections. This is the responsible course. In the meantime, this Government will focus on legislation that can command a majority of this Parliament. We will focus on objections that can have broad cross-party support. I encourage this House to put the stability of the Republic above political partisanship and vote against this motion.