Your representative's vote

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Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

[Posit]

In my view they aren't "our" representatives. They are "party' representatives for the constituency. This is not a participatory democracy. It is a simple aristocracy.

[geoffrey]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

That's their personal choice. I'll decide if I made the right decision in sending them the next election based on those choices.

[jbg]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

That's their personal choice. I'll decide if I made the right decision in sending them the next election based on those choices.

And if their nomination papers aren't signed?

[PolyNewbie]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

If they just do that then why even have them ? Have a vote and see who gets in and whoever wins the Prime Ministership gets to be king. Thats basically how it works now anyways.

[Topaz]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

If they just do that then why even have them ? Have a vote and see who gets in and whoever wins the Prime Ministership gets to be king. Thats basically how it works now anyways.

Well, in my area, the farmer's were the ones that really back the Con that won. It has been reported they are sorry they did because they weren't getting anywhere with Harper until last week. It really comes down the person who was elected and if he agrees with the party leader.

[[email protected]]

One of the problems of our system, something we what to change, is the monopoly that the two major parties have on (almost) all the routes to power. Its a Catch 22 scenario:

In order to have a reasonable chance of getting elected you have to join one of the two major parties and be approved by the leader to run. In return you have to promise to vote as the leader says. Yes you can vote against the party line but you have to give everything up to do it, because you will be cashiered (in Canada we say Nunziata-ed).

[[email protected]]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

If they just do that then why even have them ? Have a vote and see who gets in and whoever wins the Prime Ministership gets to be king. Thats basically how it works now anyways.

Well, in my area, the farmer's were the ones that really back the Con that won. It has been reported they are sorry they did because they weren't getting anywhere with Harper until last week. It really comes down the person who was elected and if he agrees with the party leader.

What should happen if the riding says one thing and the leader another?

[dlkenny]

No, if what the party is proposing is against what the respective MP's jurisdiction wants then that MP should vote accordingly. Otherwise what good is the representation?

[[email protected]]

No, if what the party is proposing is against what the respective MP's jurisdiction wants then that MP should vote accordingly. Otherwise what good is the representation?

Absolutely correct.

[Charles Anthony]

What if, during the course of an MP's term, everybody in his riding changes their mind and develops a different opinion?

should the MP still follow the orders of what he was elected to do????

[[email protected]]

What if, during the course of an MP's term, everybody in his riding changes their mind and develops a different opinion?

should the MP still follow the orders of what he was elected to do????

It should be left up to the rep to decide. The rep should not be coerced.

[Charles Anthony]

It should be left up to the rep to decide. The rep should not be coerced.

So, what do you expect from your MP?

1) an MP should always follow his election platform no matter what happens during his term.

2) an MP should not be obligated to follow his election platform throughout his term.

Which one is it?

I do not think it matters because I do not expect MPs to act in the best interests of their constituents.

[[email protected]]

It should be left up to the rep to decide. The rep should not be coerced.

So, what do you expect from your MP?

1) an MP should always follow his election platform no matter what happens during his term.

2) an MP should not be obligated to follow his election platform throughout his term.

Which one is it?

I do not think it matters because I do not expect MPs to act in the best interests of their constituents.

In an ideal world a representative, after hearing a free and informed debate, should vote according to a mix of:

What is best for his/her constituents

What is best for the common good, ie all citizens (The Burke-ian position)

The trade off of voting with a voting block/party or not; “if I vote with my block/party on this issue, a vote which I would not normally do, will I be able to garner support later for something more important”

These three influences always exist. The key is that each rep be free to balance them and then decide. In our current system this is not allowed.

[Charles Anthony]

It still seems to me like you are reluctant to say bluntly: an MP should be allowed to vote whatever he wants regardless of his election platform. There. I said it on your behalf.

These three influences always exist. The key is that each rep be free to balance them and then decide. In our current system this is not allowed.

Of course it is allowed. An MP can quit his party and vote his conscience.

[Mad_Michael]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

In our Westminster model, yes.

If a representative stands for election under that party label, they must toe the party line for that party label. To do otherwise is to commit fraud against the electorate.

If any representative finds themselves unable to vote the party line, they must either resign their seat or resign from the party. I cannot imagine any valid exceptions to this rule.

[Mad_Michael]

No, if what the party is proposing is against what the respective MP's jurisdiction wants then that MP should vote accordingly. Otherwise what good is the representation?

That would be 'misrepresentation' for a representative to pretent they support the party in order to get elected but once elected, to reject the party (regardless of the issue).

[M.Dancer]

One of the problems of our system, something we what to change, is the monopoly that the two major parties have on (almost) all the routes to power. Its a Catch 22 scenario:

In order to have a reasonable chance of getting elected you have to join one of the two major parties and be approved by the leader to run. In return you have to promise to vote as the leader says. Yes you can vote against the party line but you have to give everything up to do it, because you will be cashiered (in Canada we say Nunziata-ed).

You know, the NDP also runs in Atlantic Canada..I hear they even elect the odd person or two......and then there's the spirograph party......the leader is even running in McKay's seat.

Not that Canada needs another regional party, but if you want to be taken seriously, you should be serious about the choices.....

[[email protected]]

One of the problems of our system, something we what to change, is the monopoly that the two major parties have on (almost) all the routes to power. Its a Catch 22 scenario:

In order to have a reasonable chance of getting elected you have to join one of the two major parties and be approved by the leader to run. In return you have to promise to vote as the leader says. Yes you can vote against the party line but you have to give everything up to do it, because you will be cashiered (in Canada we say Nunziata-ed).

You know, the NDP also runs in Atlantic Canada..I hear they even elect the odd person or two......and then there's the spirograph party......the leader is even running in McKay's seat.

Not that Canada needs another regional party, but if you want to be taken seriously, you should be serious about the choices.....

We are a provincial party in the four Atlantic Canadian provinces.

[[email protected]]

Should your representative in the legislature\parliament always vote the party line?

In our Westminster model, yes.

If a representative stands for election under that party label, they must toe the party line for that party label. To do otherwise is to commit fraud against the electorate.

If any representative finds themselves unable to vote the party line, they must either resign their seat or resign from the party. I cannot imagine any valid exceptions to this rule.

What is the role of the representative?

[Mad_Michael]

What is the role of the representative?

Good question.

One role they are expected to serve is that of a representative for (all) their constitutents with respect to the Government bureaucracy and whatnot. That is to say, they provide help/advice/assistence to constituents dealing with the Government bureaucracy. This is a 'local' function that they are well suited to perform.

And as individual human beings, they have the right to stand up if the oppose the party's decision (by resigning from the party).

[M.Dancer]

I've always wondered why Quebec isn't an Atlantic province...they got more atlantic coast line than PEI....

[[email protected]]

What is the role of the representative?

Good question.

One role they are expected to serve is that of a representative for (all) their constitutents with respect to the Government bureaucracy and whatnot. That is to say, they provide help/advice/assistence to constituents dealing with the Government bureaucracy. This is a 'local' function that they are well suited to perform.

And as individual human beings, they have the right to stand up if the oppose the party's decision (by resigning from the party).

Yes our reps do serve as a sort of ombudsman (ombudswoman?) role, which is fine. But why do we vote for and elect representatives, not just as ombudspeople (not sure if that is a word)?