United opposition is not balm we need: iLIVE

I refer to the continuing debate about the importance of a united opposition.

There are a number of reasons why a united opposition is a bad idea.

Disillusioned ANC supporters could balk at voting for the DA (or a DA-led coalition), so it is in the interests of all who love democracy and hate corruption that voters be offered as many choices as possible.

The ANC did not spend many billions on the arms deal to hand over power to a "white" party (or white-led coalition), so the opposition must guard against providing the ANC with a target that is easy to isolate and attack or dismiss.

The needs of the poor, who hold the key to power and support affirmative action, are vastly different to those of the rich.

Accordingly, a coalition built on a desire to do something about corruption is not likely to last long, and could see the DA experience the same sort of problems experienced by COPE.

Leaders who refuse to give their supporters what they want rarely last.

The DA will have to become more like the ANC if it is to have any chance of winning a national election.

The DA is full of fallible people, including Helen Zille who in her newsletter of September 18 2011 confused plea-bargaining with the section 204 indemnities received by Brett Kebble's killers.

Placing all our eggs in one basket makes very little sense and could backfire badly.

We must resist the urge to fix things that are not broken.