NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has introduced a private member’s bill that would compel floor crossers to face their voters before switching parties.
NDP leader introduces bill that would require floor crossers to face voters first
It’s a matter of political philosophy and historical context. Back then, before we had TV, the internet or even the radio, communities were more tightly knit and your world was your community. You elected your MP to represent you and didn’t care how they did it.
Nowadays, people’s horizons have expanded and their community is the world, so people don’t vote for their MP, but for the party and/or prime minister. Therefore, our Westminster system is no longer aligned with its original goal of representing its constituents above all else.
It’s a matter of political philosophy and historical context. Back then, before we had TV, the internet or even the radio, communities were more tightly knit and your world was your community. You elected your MP to represent you and didn’t care how they did it.
Nowadays, people’s horizons have expanded and their community is the world, so people don’t vote for their MP, but for the party and/or prime minister. Therefore, our Westminster system is no longer aligned with its original goal of representing its constituents above all else.
I’ve been around a long time, and I have never witnessed an election where people didn’t vote for the party. It’s been this way for a very long time.