Democracy

[andrewducker]

[Poll #813091]

Comments

[guyinahat.livejournal.com]

The interesting flavour of this sort of question is how far a party-affiliated MP should vote by the direction of whips vs. the views of their local constituency. While the MP claims to following the will of the people by listening to vocal locals, there is also the argument that people vote for the party manifesto 'package' rather than the individual person standing.

[andrewducker]

Yup. I'd say that they should follow manifesto pledges, because they've effectively promised to do that. Beyond that they should generally put forward the wishes of their constituents, bearing in mind that a national strategy will mean that sometimes your own people can't come first. And on top of that they should stand by their principles. If the conflicts become far too large they can always resign and let another election take place, of course.

[guyinahat.livejournal.com]

But on the other hand, if MPs dont dissent or rebel, it restricts evolution within the party. They may argue that they within the spectrum of views within the party, they are at an opposing end to the current leadership.

A candidate may also quite openly campaign at odds with particular elements of the party manifesto. A prime example would be Tony Benn and quite a lot of the New Labour manifesto.

[andrewducker]

Oh, absolutely - which is why I put local needs first - I should also have mentioned the platform they stood on _in addition_ to the party manifesto.

It's a tricky one, innit?

[guyinahat.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

Hence I wont vote in your poll..
:p

Watching the soggy fireworks tonight?

[andrewducker]

Oh, the poll was mostly supposed to illustrate the divergence I hear from people along the lines between "We elected them, they should follow our every whim." and "If I was PM I'd sort things out by doing X, Y and Z."

And hopefully. Lilian's got me a seated ticket, so providing I'm back out of work by then I'll be there!

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

Depends how soggy!!!! What's the forcast?

[blackmanxy.livejournal.com]

Oh, the poll was mostly supposed to illustrate the divergence I hear from people along the lines between "We elected them, they should follow our every whim." and "If I was PM I'd sort things out by doing X, Y and Z."

That's what it got me thinking about, so I'd say you were successful in at least one case.

For me, the trouble with either of the options in the first question is that I have to trust one of those two parties. And I'm not sure whom I trust less: governments or the general population.