Quote:
Originally Posted by Ark2
I understand the point that you are trying to make, but I don't think it adheres to reality. While in theory you are supposed to vote for your local representative, in practice, they will most likely be a back-bench MP that yields no power and will be whipped into towing the party (IE the PMO) line. Voting for an MP while completely ignoring the fact that the leader of that MP's party is an absurdly under-qualified candidate for the position of prime minister is far more irresponsible than simply voting by which leader you prefer.
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That way of thinking is just wrong on so many levels and is far more likely to lead to lame duck representative being elected than your preferred method of voting. There are far too many alternative outcomes possible that make voting only for a leader such a dangerous play for voters, with the following 2 being the most obvious:
1.) A minority government would place far more importance on each and every MP or MLA elected to place significant influence beyond the party line.
2.) The leader you have irrationally voted for winds up not winning their own riding or a new leader is chosen for a variety of reasons (retirement, illness, death, scandal) during the term.
No matter which way you spin it, you cannot simply assume your representative will be some insignificant backbencher. It happens, of course but our democracy just doesn't work effectively under those assumptions. Even a small player who is any good is going to make strides to improve their riding. It's unfortunate that some of these people don't get the chance to do it simply because of misguided voters not doing what is best for their own ridings.