Ideas: MPs accountable to their constituency

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Ideas: MPs accountable to their constituency

29.11.2009 // by Guest

This idea comes from Richard in Norwich:

What's the big idea?:

MPs should be held to account by the electorate in their wheelings and dealings. If there is the slightest chance of abuse of privilege, over expenses, for example, the matter should be referred back to the voters rather than left for internal party disciplinary hearings. There should be a constituency referendum to decide what, if any, action should be taken. And Parliament must be ordered to act upon the wishes of the people that the MP is elected to represent.

Why is this change important to you?:

MPs feel "safe" or "threatened" depending upon the way they toe the party line. Take the recent incident over Dr Ian Gibson. He remained true to the old Labour policies in many regards, and voted against his Ideown Whip during "free" votes. He was regarded as a "troublemaker" within the Party elite, and had the Party Whip removed. Here in Norwich, the electorate does not view his alleged "crime" as abuse of privilege, more a cynical move by New Labour to install one of their "own", even if it meant losing the seat!