To think this could be the end of brexit as mps take control of the process from the PM

[quittinaeete]

Theresa may now really cant go for a hard brexit, anyone else think it's brexit cancelled?

There's nothing democratic about your elected MP voting in the opposite direction to their constituents

Quite. We live in a leave constituency and our MP has supported remain. Goes both ways thanks to our representative democracy system.

There's nothing democratic about your elected MP voting in the opposite direction to their constituents

It is entirely democratic - just the poster in question fundamentally does not understand how a representative democracy works.

MPs do not have to slavishly follow the whims of the electorate.

There's nothing democratic about your elected MP voting in the opposite direction to their constituents

Do you understand how a representative democracy works?

My MP voted against equal marriage. I wasn’t happy at all, but he couldn’t be expected to canvass constituents’ opinions on everything. He was held to account at the ballot box at the next election when he lost his seat.

Own goal, perhaps? “Nest of vipers”.

Jaxhog

By your logic

"Fewer than 38% of eligble voters voted for remain.*

should that be enough to remain?

MPs do not have to slavishly follow the whims of the electorate.

Perhaps I should have caveated that with “in my opinion” because, in my opinion, there’s nothing democratic in an elected MP voted in the exact opposite direction to the vast majority of his constituents (it wasn’t a close thing where I live).

My MP voted against equal marriage. I wasn’t happy at all, but he couldn’t be expected to canvass constituents’ opinions on everything. He was held to account at the ballot box at the next election when he lost his seat.

In this case the MP doesn’t need to canvas his constituents opinion - his constituents voted. Clearly. He will lose his seat next time round, but that doesn’t change the fact that the majority of people in this area are not being represented by their MP.

I do think it’s equally wrong for an MP in a strong leave area to vote for remain as well. It’s not something I’m a hypocrite on.

If you fundamentally disagree with your constituents then step down and let them be represented by someone who will give an ounce of notice to their vote.

There are lots of issues where MPs vote against the majority of the electorate capital punishment and the legalisation of homosexuality are very famous examples.

Parliament should lead opinion not follow it.

We don't have a direct democracy we have representative democracy. We elect the best person for the job, usually on the back of their party 's manifesto. Shock horror! They don't always agree with you.

I'm with @lyralalala - if MPs always voted along conscience lines, the FPP system would collapse.

The DUP will be won over at the last minute and the deal will go through, or we leave with no deal. TM will resign either way as she has lost all authority.

If I was a remain MP I would be thinking very carefully if no deal was what I wanted, as we could end up there completely by accident. After all we have to the 12th of April, thats it, and last night showed us all (as if we needed confirmation) that there is no single agreed alternative so we are certainly not going to achieve that in two weeks.

The EU will refuse an extension without an agreement. We leave by default, as Macron predicted last week. EU are in panic mode now btw so they must know something we don't.

I know how the system works, it's just in my opinion it's not very demovratic, or representative, for the elected MP to go against the expressed views of his constituency when they have been made clear in a vote.

Just as the representatives from clear leave areas should be representing them MP's like mine should be representing the clear view of the constituents.

If the MPs are taking control of Brexit they have a funny way of doing it
Have been watching Hoc on Tv the words piss up and brewery come to mind !

How is it representative to go against the majority of your constituents?

You elect the best person for the job in your view. Not someone to voice your views. As pp have said, if a majority of people in a constituency want capital punishment, does that mean the MP should vote for capital punishment?

The straw man has just arrived.

Thanks to the 2016 referendum (you know, that thing leavers pin everything on), MPs have a clear mandate from their electorate to either leave or remain. It is up to them to represent that.

this says Fridays vote will not be a meaningful vote. What does that mean, what are the implications of a non meaningful vote?

How is it representative to go against the majority of your constituents?

Because we are not a direct democracy. Democracy is not a one size fits all thing it has lots of nuances.

Just imagine if MPs did have to do what their constituents wanted. Capital punishment would never have been abolished. Homosexuality would still be illegal. MPs made these decisions and then the general public catch up.

Some decisions are extremely complex and a knee jerk response is inappropriate...

You’re very cavalier about the Good Friday agreement @Springwalk, if the DUP destroys that they’re toast. And they know it. Ain’t happening.

MPs get a conscience vote for contentious issues, such as abortion, homosexuality law reform, capital punishment, etc.

For something that has been voted on and they have a clear mandate, there is no complexity.

It is their responsibility to represent the clear, unambiguous wishes of the majority.

Parliament should lead opinion not follow it.

∆

Of the people for the People.

Yemen.
Since the vote there has been strong movement to do everything to make it as unclear as possible.
As confused as possible.

They should do what is best for the country based on the evidence. What the country needs, not what it says it wants. I think.

Parliament should lead opinion not follow it.

Awesome.

Brexit's off, then. 👍

Especially not what it says it wants based on lies it was fed. 350m/week, right?