| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Rupa Huq - the tory | |
| Posted by: | Richard Greenhough | |
| Date/Time: | 21/07/15 10:54:00 |
| "I would also hope that MPs vote from individual conscience and not simply follow-my-leader." There are some issues on which MPs are given leave to vote on individual conscience - capital punishment being one such - but for much of the time they are expected to support their party's policy and vote as required by the whips. If a governing party was unable to know whether it could muster support from its own MPs to put its legislation through the result would be anarchy in parliament and the end of effective government. As far as this issue is concerned, the decision by a group of Labour MPs to vote against their leader's recommendations demonstrates just how unready for government, or indeed for leading an opposition, the present parliamentary Labour Party is. If you want an unfettered Conservative government with no serious opposition, then continue to encourage Labour MPs to defy their party whip. |