Abhisit damages party by declaring his ‘no’ vote

Coming from a person educated in British elite institutions that have high regard for fair play, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s unequivocal rejection of the constitution draft on Wednesday was truly a below-the-belt punch, one that was not expected from a person of his calibre and background. 

It is the convention under British law that a referendum of this nature, such as remaining in or leaving the European Union, is not based on party lines but rather on free votes according to individual conscience. If it is Khun Abhisit’s personal choice and that of his mentor, Chuan Leekpai, they should have said so. It is unfair for them to lead others in their thinking. They should be the last ones to broadcast their preferences.

In the same light, Sunday’s referendum on the draft constitution, which is somewhat democratically grey in the eyes of many, has been rejected outright by the sector previously in power more as self-interest. But it is beyond comprehension that the leader of an influential and respected party previously in opposition, which should have remained neutral, has taken a side as though as it were the party line.

Irrespective of the referendum result, the credibility of the Democrat Party has never been so badly dented by so few individuals. 

Songdej Praditsmanont