Should MPs be accountable to the party or the Electorate

B.A.Ware · 08-02-2005, 02:01 PM

Personally I think Politicians should be firstly accountable to their electorate and secondly to their party. An MP is supposedly a servant of the people, they are in Westminster under a broad party banner, but they should be there mainly as a voice for their constituency.
I think if major issues like the Gulf were to arise they should take a consensus from their constituents and vote that way, as would be the same for fox hunting. MPs should not be at Westminster to represent their own personnel beliefs.

Should MPs even have their personnel beliefs quoted on such matters, I have seen so many MPs tripped up by Interviewers asking them their own personnel views on things like hanging.
My stock answer for that would be either, I will vote the way my constituency requires me to, not for what I personally believe or I would take the party line on big issues like Europe and other key polices. I believe this would bring back politics to the people and make them feel they could make a difference.

mkpdavies · 08-02-2005, 02:11 PM

I hate it when people have to talk the party line all the time. It is a joke! MP's should tell it how they see it, and should look to represent their constituents views first and foremost.

If UKIP put a policy out that I don't like but can tollerate, I will make it clear now, I will be honest about that.

For example, I will never support the policy that goverment should discriminate in favour of certain lifestyles over others. It is not enough to make me leave, but don't expect me to agree with it in public.

Everyone can do what they like as far as I am concerned, as long as others are not affected in any way!

Sarumano · 09-02-2005, 01:18 AM

Way to go, B.A!

The problem is though, that the MP in question does not necessarily have the time (or inclination) to consult the populace over every small decision that needs to be made, and he cannot say 'whoops' and withdraw a vote when it becomes obvious that the populace would NOT have wanted him to vote the way he did (does that make sense?

There has to be a certain amount of 'trust me on this, lads'. But who nowadays trusts politicians? Some don't much trust the ones in OUR party!

Popular referenda are possibly an answer; there would be a certain number of straws blowing in the wind before any referendum were to be called, they would give the MP the chance to vote in the wind's direction.

B.A.Ware · 09-02-2005, 01:26 AM

I agree on the smaller motions you cannot take a consensus. But on the bigger motions an MP can put an advert in his local paper and if people respond he is obliged to vote that way if they don’t, fair enough he votes his way.

Sarumano · 09-02-2005, 02:03 AM

Only if we know the bigger motions are on the way.

Have we just had an obscene conversation?

And who says this vote needs popular guidance, this needs only my thoughts? Our hypothetical MP, is who.

Do away with party Whips, let EVERY vote in Parliament be a free vote. That would go part of the way to training MP's to think for themselves, too

Intbel · 09-02-2005, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarumano

Do away with party Whips, let EVERY vote in Parliament be a free vote. That would go part of the way to training MP's to think for themselves, too

Only about 10% of folks think for thmselves- the rest prefer to be told, not only what to think but also how to think.

M.P.s are no exception.

http://www.very useful stuff for UKIP folks.org

UKIP MAN · 09-02-2005, 09:43 AM

That screensaver! :? I thought they were supposed to save your screen?

Ive got RK embossed on my screen now :shock:

Intbel · 09-02-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKIP MAN

That screensaver! :? I thought they were supposed to save your screen?
Ive got RK embossed on my screen now :shock:

It could be worse

I have another idea in the making ... see "Gadfly Club" this forum.

08-02-2005, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
B.A.Ware Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 4,506 Party: UKIP	Should MPs be accountable to the party or the Electorate Personally I think Politicians should be firstly accountable to their electorate and secondly to their party. An MP is supposedly a servant of the people, they are in Westminster under a broad party banner, but they should be there mainly as a voice for their constituency. I think if major issues like the Gulf were to arise they should take a consensus from their constituents and vote that way, as would be the same for fox hunting. MPs should not be at Westminster to represent their own personnel beliefs. Should MPs even have their personnel beliefs quoted on such matters, I have seen so many MPs tripped up by Interviewers asking them their own personnel views on things like hanging. My stock answer for that would be either, I will vote the way my constituency requires me to, not for what I personally believe or I would take the party line on big issues like Europe and other key polices. I believe this would bring back politics to the people and make them feel they could make a difference.

08-02-2005, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,850 Party: Libertarian Party	I hate it when people have to talk the party line all the time. It is a joke! MP's should tell it how they see it, and should look to represent their constituents views first and foremost. If UKIP put a policy out that I don't like but can tollerate, I will make it clear now, I will be honest about that. For example, I will never support the policy that goverment should discriminate in favour of certain lifestyles over others. It is not enough to make me leave, but don't expect me to agree with it in public. Everyone can do what they like as far as I am concerned, as long as others are not affected in any way! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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09-02-2005, 01:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sarumano Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Salisbury Posts: 309	Way to go, B.A! The problem is though, that the MP in question does not necessarily have the time (or inclination) to consult the populace over every small decision that needs to be made, and he cannot say 'whoops' and withdraw a vote when it becomes obvious that the populace would NOT have wanted him to vote the way he did (does that make sense? There has to be a certain amount of 'trust me on this, lads'. But who nowadays trusts politicians? Some don't much trust the ones in OUR party! Popular referenda are possibly an answer; there would be a certain number of straws blowing in the wind before any referendum were to be called, they would give the MP the chance to vote in the wind's direction.

09-02-2005, 01:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
B.A.Ware Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 4,506 Party: UKIP	I agree on the smaller motions you cannot take a consensus. But on the bigger motions an MP can put an advert in his local paper and if people respond he is obliged to vote that way if they don’t, fair enough he votes his way.

09-02-2005, 02:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sarumano Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Salisbury Posts: 309	Only if we know the bigger motions are on the way. Have we just had an obscene conversation? And who says this vote needs popular guidance, this needs only my thoughts? Our hypothetical MP, is who. Do away with party Whips, let EVERY vote in Parliament be a free vote. That would go part of the way to training MP's to think for themselves, too

09-02-2005, 09:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
UKIP MAN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,898	That screensaver! :? I thought they were supposed to save your screen? Ive got RK embossed on my screen now :shock: