MC Cham Jr. Challenges Notion That Smaller Parties Must Align with Larger Parties to Effect Change

MC Cham Jr, Business Councillor KMC

By Seedy Jobe 

Mc Cham Jr., Business Councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a member of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has challenged the widely held belief that smaller political parties must join larger ones to effect meaningful change.

“The claim that smaller parties must always join bigger ones to bring change is false,” Cham said in a recent statement. “History shows that coalitions succeed based on leadership, vision, and public trust — not party size.”

Cham cited The Gambia’s 2016 political transition as a key example. “Change came through a broad coalition built around a shared goal, not because smaller parties submitted to a single dominant party,” he said, emphasizing the importance of unity around principles rather than party dominance.

He also pointed to political trends abroad, noting that in Kenya and parts of Europe, coalitions often form around candidates and reform agendas, with smaller or newer parties leading the momentum.

“In Kenya and parts of Europe, coalitions have often formed around candidates and reform agendas, with smaller or newer parties leading the momentum”. 

Highlighting the evolving nature of politics, Cham added, “Big parties can decline. New movements rise when they connect with the people.” He concluded, “Change is driven by leadership and ideas, not by labels.”