INDEPENDENT MP'S OR PARTY DRONES? THAT IS THE QUESTION?

One commonly asked question in exams tends to focus on how independent MP's / backbenchers really are. This is a classic debate.

• Are MP's elected to simply act as the mouthpiece of their constituents concerns?
• Are they simply elected as a representative and therefore they are free to make decisions on their constituents behalf or..
• Are they elected as the representative of a Political Party and therefore should they follow their Party line on all issues?

If you are looking to really understand this issue in detail and have a treasure trove of examples then you can do no better than look at Jeremy Corbyn's current struggle this week.  He faces a huge dilemma in an already riven and divided Labour Party. This week sees the Second reading debate stage in the Brexit vote to leave Europe. Corbyn has issued a THREE LINE WHIP to Labour MP's meaning they MUST vote for Brexit or face consequences.  His reasons are that the country democratically endorsed Brexit so therefore Parliament has to abide by the democratically expressed will of the people. On top of that a large number of Labour constituencies voted FOR Brexit - despite the majority of Labour MP's voting to remain. This disjoint causes the current problem. Many Labour MP's are still very opposed to Brexit and in some cases would rather resign over it than vote for it. Indeed two Labour WHIPS of all people have indicated their decision to vote against the three line whip and in favour of article 50. 

Read Ben Wrights fantastic article here to get to grips with this - It could be useful to you on so many levels for A Level

What can I use this article for?: Whips; Labour Party ; Party discipline, Backbencher power ; MP versus Party; Opposition; Control in the Commons. 

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Ben Wright Article on defying the Labour Party Whip