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THE CAUCUS
A caucus is a party’s group of elected representatives in a government. Its role is to ensure
that the party’s policies and programs are converted into political decisions in government.
The caucus group members inform each other about what is happening in different policy
areas and committees where they are representatives. The caucus must have a close
relationship with the party headquarters – and to the Cabinet, when the party is governing –
to ensure that there is coherence and efficiency.
THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
A portfolio committee consists of elected representatives from different parties that are
selected by their party to represent specific policy areas. Portfolios can be housing, finance,
social policy, justice, etc. The party with most seats will chair the committee. This section
deals with both the caucus – the party group – and the portfolio committee –
representatives from all parties.
The elected councilors and the party Branch should be working closely together and we
will deal with this in more detail further on. Councilors must remember that their mandate
derives from the voters and the policies they are set to implement derive from the party. It
is important to have close communication for inputs and report-backs. The Branch has to
go back to the voters to communicate why, or why not, decisions have been made by the
party’s councilors. The councilors also need the party structures for support and as
channels for campaigns and information.
HOW ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES DEAL WITH ISSUES
Elected representatives must deal with the following issues and entities:
The political task – goals and strategy
Caucus and portfolio committees
Being in opposition – opposing and being opposed
Relationship with the party organization
Relationship with the citizens
Relating to the media
Relationship with the trade unions
Relationship with public servants (municipal officials)
Gender equality
Integration and non-discrimination