The Independent Group

[MillionMilesAway]

They won't, as technically their constituents voted for them as individuals and not the parties they were part of.

Wouldn't matter anyway. The job isn't "be a Labour MP", it's "be an MP".

 

[aguero93:20]

Fair yes. I am presuming they wish to be elected next time around though.

I presume most of them are sure they will. However, as UKIP have shown, you don't even need to win seats to influence policy.

 

[Henkeman]

He was right first time :)

Agree. I don't see any reason for them to resign, though I do note that it weakens any call for a vote if they refuse to submit to a vote themselves. It's not a good look, even if the circumstances differ.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Surely they voted for the party’s manifesto which is enacted through the local representative...at least that’s what I do.

They can still support every item on the manifesto.

 

[Henkeman]

I presume most of them are sure they will. However, as UKIP have shown, you don't even need to win seats to influence policy.

Well, again that's fine if they wish to be single issue. Not if they want a viable new centre grouping.

 

[aguero93:20]

Surely they voted for the party’s manifesto which is enacted through the local representative...at least that’s what I do.

Whilst that might be the way you as an individual see it, the reality is you've elected them as an individual, to represent you at parliamentary level for 5 years. Parties come after that.

 

[aguero93:20]

Well, again that's fine if they wish to be single issue. Not if they want a viable new centre grouping.

Yeah as I said that depends on what they want. I presume Coffey and Soubry would be happy enough to return to Labour/Conservative once the current crisis is over.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

So genuine question. Will these breakaway MP’s resign their positions since they can no longer carry out the job they were mandated to do representing the party their constituents voted for ?

If not, why not ?

You vote for your MP not for the party. Only in the political bubble do people demand loyalty to a manifesto. In practice MPs are elected to act in the interests of 1 the country and 2 the constituents (all not just those that voted for them).

If an MP takes the view their party membership no longer enables them to act in the best interests of 1 and 2 above they are obligated to act as they see fit to do so, either against the whip or by fully resigning. That is all there is to it.

 

[happyman]

The majority of MP's are voted in because of the colour of their rosette not because of who they are, they should be forced to stand in a by election and stand by their convictions.

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

Whilst that might be the way you as an individual see it, the reality is you've elected them as an individual, to represent you at parliamentary level for 5 years. Parties come after that.

Fair enough. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for them.