NDP MP Looks to ban MP floor crossing

[Dexter Sinister]

Most people vote for a candidate because they support the platform they are running on and it's nothing short of crass ignorance to change platforms without getting approval from the electorate and it's quite obvious these jerks are putting their own fortunes ahead of their constituents.

I seriously doubt that's how most people decide who to vote for, and I'm unable to be as cynical as you seem to be about "these jerks." Certainly in any group of 308 people there will be some jerks, but it can't be all of them, or even most of them. I believe most MPs are serious, hardworking people trying to do the best they can; certainly the dozen or so I've met have been. It's not an easy job. You would deprive them of the right to follow their own consciences, which I think violates the most basic principles of freedom and democracy.

 

[Machjo]

Actually, has anyone noticed that just in this thread alone, it would seem that the deviding line between those who agree with banning floor crossing and those who don't does not seem to follow any particular ideological bent?

Heck, it's an NDP MP who proposed this bill, meanwhile, I, somewhat right-leaning but wtill with many left-leaning views oppose it; Colpy, unquestioningly right-leaning, supports it; and Durry, quite possibly equally right-leaning also, opposes it.

Banning floor-crossing would essentially put an end to any kind of debate that cannot be pigeon-holed into one particular party ideology or another.

Just something to think about.

 

[YukonJack]

Is crossing the floor equivalent to stabbing your old comrades in the back for greener pastures?

If it is, what should the appropriate punishment be? Should previous backstabbers be removed from politics?

How about Jean Charest? Or Bob Rea? Or the queer 'conservative' that jumped to the Liberals?

 

[JLM]

Is crossing the floor equivalent to stabbing your old comrades in the back for greener pastures?

If it is, what should the appropriate punishment be? Should previous backstabbers be removed from politics?

How about Jean Charest? Or Bob Rea? Or the queer 'conservative' that jumped to the Liberals?

Are you talkin' about Scott Bryson? The problem is he "jumped"..............what does his sexual inclination have to do with this discussion? The rest of us got over that sh*t 20 years ago..................why can't you? (It's sure a good thing Obama is straight)

 

[YukonJack]

Are you talkin' about Scott Bryson? The problem is he "jumped"..............what does his sexual inclination have to do with this discussion? The rest of us got over that sh*t 20 years ago..................why can't you? (It's sure a good thing Obama is straight)

Yeah, Scott Bryson. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, who jumps from anywhere to Liberals is queer.

 

[gerryh]

What about those that jump from liberal to conservative?

 

[YukonJack]

What about those that jump from liberal to conservative?

They are the ones who matured and got smarter.

 

[TenPenny]

Are you talkin' about Scott Bryson? The problem is he "jumped"..............what does his sexual inclination have to do with this discussion? The rest of us got over that sh*t 20 years ago..................why can't you? (It's sure a good thing Obama is straight)

Bryson didn't jump, the party left him.

If MPs can't cross the floor, I guess parties wouldn't be allowed to merge, either.

 

[weaselwords]

Bryson didn't jump, the party left him.

If MPs can't cross the floor, I guess parties wouldn't be allowed to merge, either.

Yes, considering the Conservative government we have now is a conglomeration
Progressive Conservative
Reform
Canadian Allince
DRC
and CRAP. Did I forget anybody else.
Well, I guess its not really floor crossing when they all sit on one side of the floor, just seat jumping.

 

[JLM]

They are the ones who matured and got smarter.

Of all people I figured you have enough brains to realize that there is no difference between parties, they are all tarred with the same brush and their main concern is their own longevity so they qualify for as big of a pension as possible. Conservatives = Liberals

Bryson didn't jump, the party left him.

If MPs can't cross the floor, I guess parties wouldn't be allowed to merge, either.

Uh ummmmmmmmmmmh, if I recall he was member of the Alliance Party, non? I'd say it's quite a leap from that to Liberal.

 

[weaselwords]

Of all people I figured you have enough brains to realize that there is no difference between parties, they are all tarred with the same brush and their main concern is their own longevity so they qualify for as big of a pension as possible. Conservatives = Liberals



Uh ummmmmmmmmmmh, if I recall he was member of the Alliance Party, non? I'd say it's quite a leap from that to Liberal.

Better review your information Scott Brison was a PC and crossed the floor on amalgamation with the Alliance.

 

[JLM]

Better review your information Scott Brison was a PC and crossed the floor on amalgamation with the Alliance.

OK, I'm fine with that, another poster said he didn't cross the floor so between that and my Alzheimers acting up I guess I was a little confused. :lol:

 

[Machjo]

Yes, considering the Conservative government we have now is a conglomeration
Progressive Conservative
Reform
Canadian Allince
DRC
and CRAP. Did I forget anybody else.
Well, I guess its not really floor crossing when they all sit on one side of the floor, just seat jumping.

There are a handful of libertarians, liberal conservatives, and possibly a handful of Christian corporatists and maybe a few liberal corporatists in the mix too. And add a few red tories just for good measure.

 

[Fingertrouble]

Nah, the NDP are just scared sh^tless that many of their members will leave them.
They are using this method as a way to prevent losing members.

Floor crossing is not a problem, it happens only very seldom and really does no harm to anyone. In the end, the voter makes the final decision .

I would support no floor crossing, as the MP was voted to represent his electorate and therefore if that individual wanted to change parties, then he/she should resign and the run as the other party candidate in the by election.

I do totally agree with you that the NDP are just worried all there Quebec MP's will turn on their heels and run to he Bloc as soon as their support in Quebec starts to get unhappy.

 

[WLDB]

I'd disagree. Political parties already have too much power. When you enter into a polling station to vote you vote for a person, the party name is nowhere to be seen. If I had my way all MP's would vote for the best interests of their constituents rather than towing the party line all the time.

 

[lone wolf]

I'd disagree. Political parties already have too much power. When you enter into a polling station to vote you vote for a person, the party name is nowhere to be seen. If I had my way all MP's would vote for the best interests of their constituents rather than towing the party line all the time.

They don't put the party name on the ballot where you vote?

 

[WLDB]

They don't put the party name on the ballot where you vote?

I've never seen the party name on either federal or provincial ballots.

 

[lone wolf]

It's been on federal ballots since 1974. 2007 was the first time the party name appeared on an Ontario ballot.

 

[WLDB]

Odd that I've not noticed. It shouldn't be. If it wasn't on it people would be forced to actually figure out who the local candidate is and then vote for them rather than just vote for a brand.

 

[lone wolf]

Could be confusing where two candidates have the similar names....