The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between parties and their Members of Parliament in Zambia. This will be done by first contextualizing political parties and their relationship to Parliament in Zambia. Secondly, we discuss the role and structural organization of parliamentary groups. Thirdly, the relationship between Members of Parliament is analyzed within the context of influence, control and competition. Fourthly, inter-party Parliamentary cooperation is discussed, especially regarding building coalitions of support for or against motions and bills. The concluding section makes some tentative proposals regarding the future of party MP relations, arguing for a system which will reduce the influence of political parties on their MPs and their protection from undue victimization.
