Parliamentary democracy works on the basis that voters choose the type of government they want through proxies.
Specifically, a conservative voter might like Stephen Harper as Prime Minister but that voter cannot (unless they live in Mr Harper's riding) vote for him - the voter has to vote for someone else who supports Mr Harper. Similarly someone who likes Mr Harper's policies on, say, crime cannot vote directly on the issue but must vote for a member of Mr. Harper's party in the expectation that member will vote accordingly.
That means, of course, that some of the freedom an individual MP might have has to be limited so as the ensure that, broadly put, all Conservatives support the same policies.
And that's true for Conservatives, Liberals or members of the NDP.
As a result from time to time a leader (of any party) has to say "this is what we believe" and hold anyone running for that party to those beliefs. This isn't a matter of imposing policy - it's a matter of allowing voters to make choices.
Parliamentary democracy requires political parties to have a unified core of policies - without them the system fails.
2 comments:
I wonder when former Liberal, and now apparent hardcore Dipper, Warren Kinsella will pounce all over your 'defence' of Justin? From my vantage point here on the prairies, I find it amusing as I watch Warren flailing about casting aspersions in defence of ONDP and, slightly more obliquely, the federal NDP.
Should he still be found on LiberalsONLINE.ca or is there a retirement spot available for him at DippersOnline.ca?
I dont think most people really care about what the Leader of a political party asks or demands out of his party, but, young Mr Trudeau claims to be more open then Mr Harper, claims to have wanted open nominations. If you act the same as the guy next to you its a good idea to stop saying your different.
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