Independent MPs

[revsdd]

I'm not convinced that rearranging the seating would actually reduce partisanship.

I am. I absolutely am.

Most anecdotes from MP's themselves indicate that there is a more congenial atmosphere at play than we see in Question Period which is political theatre at its highest.

I used to work for an MP. I've known a lot of MPs over the years through involvement in the party structure. I'm not sure what anecdotes you're talking about. Everything that I ever heard (this would have been in the 80's) is that the level of partisanship was getting worse and worse and relations between members from different parties were increasingly distant or hostile. In fact, many rarely associated in anything other than a partisan (and often hostile) way with MPs from other parties. They might as well have been from different planets. That was in the 80's. I've seen no evidence that it's gotten any better since then and lots of evidence suggesting that it's worse.

I would rather see Partisan behaviours curtailed or eliminated during question period. The slapping of the desk (barking seal) bit does nothing for debate or ideas. Apart from that remove the video and allow Question Period to be audio only.

And a huge part of the problem during Question Period is the physical layout of the House of Commons. Government and opposition directly across from each other (two and a half swords lengths apart, as per British Westminster tradition, originally meant to discourage swordfighting between political adversaries) and sitting together as caucuses. The desk slapping (which has actually been replaced by straight out applause now) is exacerbated by having caucuses sitting together. They egg each other on. Hand clapping and standing ovations would be less "impressive" if it were scattered throughout the chamber rather than concentrated in the one caucus area. I disagree with getting rid of video. Canadians have a right to see and not just hear their MPs in action. But that's why I'd require MPs to sit in their assigned seat and not jockey around so that they can get in the camera shot by sitting behind whoever is speaking.

 

[Luce NDs]

Sounds like a polity bound institutional fixation to me!

As before in the darker realm ... the wee people can't see any movement towards better! Thus de fatuated underdogs ... flat out drying in Rhodes ....

 

[revjohn]

What do you think? Does this actually accomplish anything or just neuter their effectiveness by taking them out of "the system"?

It depends. Obviously, they can put together a personal platform with very little danger of every being in a position to put it into play.

In our most recent Provincial Election we sent two Independent MLA's to the House of Assembly. This is not an insignificant event. As the currently ruling Liberals have 20 seats to the Progressive Conservative 15 seats, the New Democratic Party's 3 seats and, as mentioned earlier Independents 2 seats. If the Liberals pick one of their own as Speaker they will have a minority. If someone from outside of the government agrees to act as Speaker the Liberals will have a majority.

The two Independents are Eddie Joyce (former Liberal) and Paul Lane (former Liberal). MLA Joyce vowed he would not sit in the Liberal Caucus as long as Sherry Gambin-Walsh was a member of the Caucus (an either she goes or I goes dust-up) after Gambin-Walsh alleged bullying and harrassment by both Joyce and Dale Kirby. Lane was suspended from Caucus after voting against the Government on a non-binding motion.

Joyce claimed 67% of the votes cast in his riding while Lane claimed 43%. Second place finishers were well behind both.

Would you vote for an independent if their platform appealed?

Not likely. There is no danger of an independent ever having to follow through on their platform.

That said, if they struck me as the more rational and capable candidate in the field I would vote for them.

Should MPs have more independence overall so they can represent their constituents instead of toeing the party line, as seems to be case most of the time today?

Candidates may get elected because of partisan support in their riding. It will be increasingly difficult to hold onto that seat if they routinely fail to serve their constituency. At some point they actually have to deal with the people and not just the party.

 

[Luce NDs]

We are all individually and independently made (says so in an impressive tome) yet many powers would deny parts ...

Look at it the other way and it could make you wish to fecund did date ... and thus depart ... so it goes! Knows hite when encountered as hype ... if living on a rock and wishing to fish ... settle close to the waters ... bottom lions? Scrod ...