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Original poster

MPs leaving their party- how come they keep their seats ?

81 replies

Aridane · 20/02/2019 07:41

When an MP resigns from their party - whether to join another political party or become an independent- how come they keep their seat?

If I vote, I vote not just for the individual but also for the political party they represent.

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 20/02/2019 15:23

money that would be better spent on front line services.

Not by this government.

TalkinPeece · 20/02/2019 15:27

DGR
Electoral services are provided at District Council level .....
every by election results in more local cuts

Original poster
Aridane · 20/02/2019 21:43

Lol

Here is the DM's take on it!

Headline
Corbyn wants to tear up the law so party defectors could be forced to stand down like CRIMINAL MPs and expenses cheats after Labour was rocked by Independent Group split

*Labour has announced it will review the Recall Act to include party defectors
*Currently voters can sack their MP over jail terms and breaking Commons rules
*But Corbyn's party wants to extend the law to cover people who switch party
*Since Monday eight MPs have walked out of Labour slamming Jeremy Corbyn

Labour is considering changing the law to allow voters to force their MP to stand down if they change party it emerged today.

Less than 48 hours after seven MPs triggered the biggest split in politics since 1981 by quitting Labour, the party launched a consultation on changing the Recall Act.

The proposal is to treat MPs who change party the same as those who are sent to prison or are found to have seriously broken Commons rules.

If the change happen, a defection would allow voters to 'recall' their MP and force a by-election if 10 per cent of them signed a petition.

ADVERTISING

The only recall petition to have happened before was on Ian Paisley, the DUP MP suspended for 30 days for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan Government.

A second is expected on the Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya after she was jailed for perverting the course of justice.

Jeremy Corbyn issued a stubborn response to the 'gang of seven' yesterday, saying he was 'disappointed' but jibing they were arrested on his manifesto.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 20/02/2019 21:48

Somewhat entertainingly, despite the mild anti Corbin bias in the above article, posters on the DM website are agreeing with Corbyn

ReplyNew Comment
00Click to rate

Flivoless, Horsham, United Kingdom, 6 minutes ago

For once I agree with Mr. Corbyn. Many voters vote for a Party rather than the Candidate. This lot are a bunch of hypocrites, they want a second referendum, on the basis that Leavers didn't know what they were voting for but refuse to stand-down and fight a by-election as we now know that their constituents didn't know what they voted for

ReplyNew Comment
316Click to rate

sgb, England, United Kingdom, 15 minutes ago

They should stand down and have a by-election

ReplyNew Comment
210Click to rate

PJ, cardiff, 20 minutes ago

I actually agree with him on this. They stood as labour or conservative members. Not as independents. They had an unfair advantage with profile and funding compared to independents. They attracted votes because of the party they represented. Ironic how they want a second vote for the referendum but not for their own positions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 20/02/2019 21:49

(sorry for quote no the DM! Blush )

OP posts:
bingoitsadingo · 21/02/2019 11:27

Also I think laws forcing a by-election if party allegiance changes might be a really bad idea.
Not great if an MP can essentially be forced out of parliament if their political party throws them out. Unintended consequences and all that..

MillytantForceit · 21/02/2019 11:30

And you really do not want to live in a country where a political party or government can remove MPs who say things it doesn't like.

TalkinPeece · 21/02/2019 14:21

Farage did not stand down as an MEP when he left UKIP

Just saying .....

Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2019 22:01

Milly - that wasn't what I was saying.

An MP defecting from his party and / or joining another party is very different from just saying something the party doesn't like

OP posts:
Patroclus · 25/02/2019 14:23

Of course people vote for them regarding the manifesto they're under. Anybody who says otherwise is being disingenous. Do you think the people of Liverpool were previouly just really excited about the prospect of Luciana Berger?

Tubeworker · 25/02/2019 15:02

Do you think the people of Liverpool were previouly just really excited about the prospect of Luciana Berger?

It doesn’t matter. That may not be what they intended, that’s what they did. Imagine if everyone in one house believed that jumping up and down generated electricity, but they also paid their electricity bill, it doesn’t really matter that apparently jumping up and down generates electricity, it’s the electricity station and paying the bill that provides the house with power.

Just because people in an electorate believe they’re voting for a labour (or Tory or whatever) member, what they’re actually voting for is an individual who has the right to exercise their judgement, and party affiliation is not binding. That’s the point.

MillytantForceit · 25/02/2019 15:38

All that mind-numbingly stupid proposal would do is stop them formally resigning from the party. They would simply defy the whip (Jeremy Corbyn , hello?) and be suspended by party rules.

Corbyn's Stalinism is showing through.

Original poster
Aridane · 25/02/2019 16:53

Just caught up on last week's Question Time. Glad to see that I'm not alone in my view!

OP posts:
TalkinPeece · 25/02/2019 17:05

So should Farage have stood down as an MEP when he left UKIP ?

DGRossetti · 25/02/2019 17:12

Just because people in an electorate believe they’re voting for a labour (or Tory or whatever) member, what they’re actually voting for is an individual who has the right to exercise their judgement, and party affiliation is not binding. That’s the point

As was demonstrated in 2010 when a lot of people blurbled on about "no one voted for a coalition" ... well no. But no one votes for any government. Just your local MP. If that results in a coalition then (at the risk of circular logic) you did vote for that.

DGRossetti · 25/02/2019 17:14

So should Farage have stood down as an MEP when he left UKIP ?

Can and MEP stand down ? Would it trigger an election ?

Theworldisfullofgs · 25/02/2019 17:19

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e84412b6-34ea-11e9-b41a-ec1745518ba6

In the past Corbyn told people they voted for the MP not the party. And that's the problem with Corbyn, inconsistency. Expects party loyalty but gave none himself...

I dont like the Torys and currently labour wont get in. Corbyn no longer has enough credibility. He's a campaigner not a party leader.

birdsdestiny · 25/02/2019 18:53

I think to say that Luciana Berger who was the subject of horrendous racial abuse which her party failed to address should have to fight for her job because she could no longer stand that abuse is just beyond words.

MillytantForceit · 25/02/2019 19:58

Farage was not directly elected. He put himself at the top of the UKIP additional member list so if they got only one MEP it would have been him.

Patroclus · 26/02/2019 00:11

Lucian Berger's abuse was from the far right and UKIP supporters, Labour could do very little about that.

Patroclus · 26/02/2019 00:14

Although I realise that due to politics there is silence on the antisemitism from the Right in this country.

birdsdestiny · 26/02/2019 07:53

Patroclus that's not true. Whilst I am sure sone of it did come from the far right, much of it came from within the Labour party as has been acknowledged by the party. What you are saying is utterly incorrect.

Patroclus · 26/02/2019 11:03

I cant find any evidence otherwise? happy to be corrected as Im probably going to support these independents.

birdsdestiny · 26/02/2019 11:13

You can't find any evidence that there is anti semitism in the labour party? I don't know what to say to that. I say this as someone who has voted Labour all my life.

Patroclus · 26/02/2019 11:35

I've seen first hand anti-semitism in the Labour Party, thats not what I asked you though is it?