Quote:
Originally Posted by Rifleman
This is one process of the Canadian political system that I have never agreed with, even when I had first heard of it in Social Studies.
Why do we have it, and what is it good for? Yes, it's good for keeping the party in line, but I've always felt it was the responsibility of the MPs to vote what was their constituent's wishes.
Has there ever been an incident where someone said "screw this" and voted the way they felt they should?
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It depends on the situation. Sometimes the party wants to project unity so the whip will force all votes for (remember politics is dirty, even if nothing is shady, if not all the members of your party vote for it the other party mouthpieces will shout out dissention or chaos when there might not be any, just a difference of opinion on an issue or 2.
What is happening now is a perfect example, lets say after this 2 month timeout Harper is able to convice 10 or so Liberals to call in sick for budget day. That would allow the budget to pass because they could win that vote. The Liberal whip would very likely want all members to vote against to try to force the coalition.
I think durring JC erra Kilgour in Edmonton voted against the Libs a couple of times and was demoted to the back bench or kicked out.
Its very rare I would think that people vote for the candidate first, and party second. I know for me I vote party first, leader second, candidate third.