Reply to: Dave Must Be Spitting Feathers

[SueEllen]

But there are those (and my FIL is a classic example of this) who will vote for someone (in this case a Lib Dem) because he's a very nice man and works very hard for the local area.
.

This is why Lib Dems MPs get (or should actually now say "got") themselves elected.

There are also some areas - I grew up in one - where it looks like the area is a safe seat with a massive majority for a party but it actually isn't.

The only reason the current party maintains their seat for decades is because the sitting MP and party members including the possible replacements, actually pull their finger out to make themselves well-known long before any general election happens.

It's actually annoying seeing your local MP and his/her possible replacement everywhere for years in the local paper and in leaflets through your door.

[SueEllen]

I disagree totally. No matter how competent or honest an MP is, the public are sensible enough to realise that he is just one of 300+ in the government and it is the party and the leaders of it that will determine the direction of the government.

It depends where you live.

For the past 3 elections I've lived in marginals.

However the sitting MP hasn't reflected the government it reflects the candidate who campaigns the hardest in the preceding years whether as a party member or councillor for the main opposition party who makes up the local council. This is due to the sitting MP not making themselves well-known locally and not bothering to campaign properly at election time.

[zoco]

I disagree totally. No matter how competent or honest an MP is, the public are sensible enough to realise that he is just one of 300+ in the government and it is the party and the leaders of it that will determine the direction of the government. There have been several Labour MPs I have had respect for but I would never be daft enough to vote Labour.

But there are those (and my FIL is a classic example of this) who will vote for someone (in this case a Lib Dem) because he's a very nice man and works very hard for the local area.

I can't imagine that the party he represents have any policies that chime with a Daily Express reading, nineteenth hole raconteur like my FIL but every time he votes for the same guy.

[EternalOptimist]

I disagree totally. No matter how competent or honest an MP is, the public are sensible enough to realise that he is just one of 300+ in the government and it is the party and the leaders of it that will determine the direction of the government. There have been several Labour MPs I have had respect for but I would never be daft enough to vote Labour.

it seems to me that we are trying hard to come up with a system that will do the least damage.
forget the lofty ideals.. this is a damage limitation exercise

[xoggoth]

Don't see why. The whole point of Parliamentary Democracy is that you elect your preferred representative, not the party they belong to. OK, Joe Public is way too uneducated to understand that

I disagree totally. No matter how competent or honest an MP is, the public are sensible enough to realise that he is just one of 300+ in the government and it is the party and the leaders of it that will determine the direction of the government. There have been several Labour MPs I have had respect for but I would never be daft enough to vote Labour.

[eek]

Turns out UKIP already have a Parliamentary candidate in that constituency. He's refusing to step down for Carswell, adding that Carswell can "get in the queue and hand out leaflets with the rest of us"

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/...wn-for-douglas

Yep, it appears that the local party selected him without telling ukip as a whole about the selection.

[NickFitz]

Turns out UKIP already have a Parliamentary candidate in that constituency. He's refusing to step down for Carswell, adding that Carswell can "get in the queue and hand out leaflets with the rest of us"

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/...wn-for-douglas

[ZARDOZ]

I had a bit of banter with Carswell on Twitter and he spat the dummy when I accused his government of being spineless perhaps he was really feeling the same thing, hence the over-reaction.

[northernladuk]

Joe Public is way too uneducated to understand that, and the parties aren't about to tell them, but a mandatory re-election won't happen..

Absolutely. That's why you should be allocated a number of votes depending on how much tax you pay... Oh.. Hang on, that's not going to work is it

[malvolio]

A re-election should be mandatory when changing parties, you have to applaud him for doing so. 'Call me Dave' must be bricking it

Don't see why. The whole point of Parliamentary Democracy is that you elect your preferred representative, not the party they belong to. OK, Joe Public is way too uneducated to understand that, and the parties aren't about to tell them, but a mandatory re-election won't happen.

I have a different take: the guy is too minor to make a difference by himself and lacks the balls to stand up and say he disagrees with the Cabinet, so let's change hats and make sure everyone knows who I am. Unless he is an exceptional constituency MP - and most of his constituents won't know who the hell he is - he'll get smacked by the safe seat vote and disappear. If that happens, and it's the way to bet, Dave will be delighted that UKIP are having another egg-on-face moment.

[kal]

A re-election should be mandatory when changing parties, you have to applaud him for doing so. 'Call me Dave' must be bricking it

[Flashman]

A politician resigns on principle and is prepared to put it to the voters.

A wonderful contrast to the appalling set in Rotherham.

Salute Mr Carswell!

[Gittins Gal]

Fantastic news!!

[darmstadt]

Another side to it: Can I have my free golliwog now? asks Carswell

[moggy]

majority or not it is a tory safe seat not a vote for Douglas Carswell i'd imagine.

..a slap in the face for Dave though