It seems like a breach of trust with the voters, which I guess is why it would be bad for an individual member's reputation.
Yes. Personally I think it's good when a Member of Parliament votes or acts according to his conscience, rather than along party lines - but I'm not big on parties and allegiances anyway. Since a lot of people vote according to party politics, it can undestandably be infuriating when the left-of-centre guy you voted for crosses the floor to right-of-centre in midstream. Or vice versa. And of course it isn't always done in good conscience; this sort of thing can have all sorts of motives of personal greed, power-plays, or dishonest strategy.
In this case, the parties (and individuals) aren't changing their policies or party affiliations, they're teaming up in the face of economic crisis. What are the implications of that? Anybody's guess. My hope is that it would empower them to do something practical - if allowed. And since it's the people and parties whom I like and support who are going for the coup - using the word with a certain frivolity here - I'm all in favour of it. If it were the shoe on the other foot? Probably not, because I don't trust Harper's Conservatives to do anything effective or positive at all.
I also like the idea that there is more than one way to form a government and to make democracy work.
it sounds like Steven Harper is acting like a child.
I think so, but I'm hardly likely to give his actions a positive interpretation at the best of times, simply because I know his politics. Inaction during crisis? Par for the course.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-12-05 07:00 pm (UTC)Yes. Personally I think it's good when a Member of Parliament votes or acts according to his conscience, rather than along party lines - but I'm not big on parties and allegiances anyway. Since a lot of people vote according to party politics, it can undestandably be infuriating when the left-of-centre guy you voted for crosses the floor to right-of-centre in midstream. Or vice versa. And of course it isn't always done in good conscience; this sort of thing can have all sorts of motives of personal greed, power-plays, or dishonest strategy.
In this case, the parties (and individuals) aren't changing their policies or party affiliations, they're teaming up in the face of economic crisis. What are the implications of that? Anybody's guess. My hope is that it would empower them to do something practical - if allowed. And since it's the people and parties whom I like and support who are going for the coup - using the word with a certain frivolity here - I'm all in favour of it. If it were the shoe on the other foot? Probably not, because I don't trust Harper's Conservatives to do anything effective or positive at all.
I also like the idea that there is more than one way to form a government and to make democracy work.
it sounds like Steven Harper is acting like a child.
I think so, but I'm hardly likely to give his actions a positive interpretation at the best of times, simply because I know his politics. Inaction during crisis? Par for the course.