Abhisit calls on Yingluck, Suthep to hold talks on live TV
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Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Tuesday called on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban to told talks on national reform live on TV.
The live broadcast would create confidence among the people and prevent the spread of rumours that cause both sides to attack each other.
Abhisit was speaking to the Senate committee on political development and public participation in politics. The committee invited Abhisit to express his opinion on political reform.
Abhisit admitted that certain reforms could not be completed before an election because they would require charter amendments to implement them.
As a result, he said a public referendum should be held on whether the people want reforms so that politicians would have to commit themselves to carrying out reforms after the election.
“The most difficult thing about reforms is to find the starting point, as both sides are squabbling over whether the reforms should be introduced before or after the next election,” Abhisit said.
“Each side refuses to accept the other’s reasons. So, I think we must follow a middle path. We must carry out urgent things first because it is impossible to complete all reform issues fast. For example, decentralisation cannot be done in one or two years. And if an election is held now, no one will believe that it will lead to reform.”
