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Old 21-12-2006, 17:33   #32
andrewb
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Re: If you were creating a government...

Quote:
Originally Posted by jambutty View Post
Nearly all new ideas will be flawed until they are discussed Cyfr. That’s the idea of floating new ideas to see what can become of them. Dismissing a new idea out of hand just because someone thinks it won’t work is crass in the extreme.
If an MP has to vote on a subject that is not in his/her manifesto the MP will either vote as his/her conscience dictates or seek guidance from his/her constituents although that may not be practical at times. What the MP won’t have to do is to vote as the party dictates. If your MP continually votes on matters not in his/her manifesto that do not suit you, you know what to do at the next election. Vote for someone else.

No doubt there would be some horse trading between MP’s and temporary coalitions will be formed – “if you vote with me on this issue, I will vote with you on that issue” but each MP will have a CHOICE. They don’t get much of a choice these days – except the independents but they are few. In fact they might as well get rid of MP’s and replace them with rubber stamps.
Yes let’s face it – if it wasn’t for the whips there would be much less bad legislation and the current PM wouldn’t be acting like a dictator. The whole Parliamentary system is supposed to be a servant of the people not their boss and that would make for a STRONGER Parliament not a weaker one.
Currently every single MP has a choice. The whips help influence a vote, but an MP is not forced to follow what they say.

I think we will have to disagree on the matter of stronger parliament as I don't believe a system of gridlock where a lot of legislation isn't passed helps stabilise a government or keep it together.
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