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The leader of the Democratic Party, Paul Chow, has said that the Seychelles is on the verge of major change. There is no doubt, he said, that in 2006 the Seychelles will experience change.

Chow made the remark during his keynote speech to the gathering of over 100 party members gathered at the Mahe Beach Hotel on 28th June, for the party's annual party conference. The theme of the conference SESEL APRE SANZMAN 2006 (Seychelles after the change in 2006) was chosen Chow said, because the party is convinced that 2006 will be a watershed in our history as inevitable change in the political, social and economic spheres will take place from this year onwards.

In his speech, Chow, however, chose to dwell on the immediate change that will come about when the opposition in the person of the single candidacy of Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) wins control of the government. Earlier, the conference ratified by acclamation the decision of the party Executive to form an electoral arrangement with SNP to fight the election under a single candidate. Chow confirmed that under the arrangement, the DP will be invited to form part of the new government. Chow was also ratified by the assembly as the new President and Leader of the party for a five year term as required by the party's constitution.

Refuting propaganda being spread on the doorsteps that if the SPPF is defeated, social welfare payments will be abolished or many employed with the government will lose their jobs, in order to scare voters to remain faithful to them, Chow said that on 31st July all the benefits and jobs will continue to be there. This is because, Chow said, the money to pay for all these things comes from government funds not the SPPF's private bank accounts. The latter, however, may well be empty by the time the election is over considering the largess being shown by SPPF canvassers, he said.

Chow said that the success of the combined campaign strategy by the DP together with SNP has changed the political landscape despite the massive, expensive and saturated propaganda effort by the SPPF on behalf of its candidate for the past two years. He availed of the occasion he said to reassure voters that all the benefits and jobs will still be there on 31st July after the opposition victory. But Chow said, on 31st July there will also be real changes too.

First he said, the climate of fear and intimidation will disappear. No one will fear being seen to be a supporter or member of any political party although, many will be embarrassed to admit they are still sympathisers of the SPPF anymore. Removing the fear of association is crucial for the conduct of multiparty politics Chow said. With an opposition victory, the people will for a change, be able to hear different opinions being expressed on SBC about all the issues that affect the country and, therefore, will be able to make informed decisions about their political leaders.

Other changes that will come about, Chow said, include those that will affect the economic spheres. A licence, for example, will no longer be a permission to do business but a right.

Let there be no doubt, however, Chow said, there will be great challenges ahead of us. The country has to find a way to restore the full convertibility of the currency if any progress on the economic front is to take place. How do we repay the massive public debt that SPPF, after 29 years in power, will leave behind? How do we create new opportunities for the new generation while at the same time repay the national debts? It is because of these challenges that the DP decided to join with SNP for this election.

The aim of the DP, he said, is to restore the spirit of joie de vive which is at the core of the DP culture set out by its founder, the former President James Mancham.

The conference was followed by a grand gala dinner and dance to mark the 30th anniversary of independence as well as 42 years of the party's existence.