Justin Trudeau says abortion rights trump MPs' freedom to vote their conscience

[Zipperfish]

This isn't a jab at Justin, but when should any issue trump an MP's freedom to vote their conscience? Do we not live in a democracy? No politician should be made to vote against their conscience regardless of party.

Party politics did away with that notion a long time ago. When you join a party, you sign up 100%. I don't care if it's NDP, Liberal or Conersvative, if you stray from the party line you will be puished. They even have a rather telling name for the person that does the punishing: the party whip.

Before jumping up and down on Trudeau for his fundamentally undemocratic stance on abortion, maybe ask yourselves why there has been minimal discussion on abortion from the Conservatvie caucus, for whom, one would think, an anti-abortion stance would be more prevalent.

Nary a peep from them though. Why? because Harper is cracking his whip, just like Trudeau is cracking his.

The problem with a lot of the anti-abortion crowd is that they are one-issue politicians. For many of them the horror of abortion is so pressing that for any other issue it's like "Well apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Party politics did away with that notion a long time ago. When you join a party, you sign up 100%. I don't care if it's NDP, Liberal or Conersvative, if you stray from the party line you will be puished. They even have a rather telling name for the person that does the punishing: the party whip.

Before jumping up and down on Trudeau for his fundamentally undemocratic stance on abortion, maybe ask yourselves why there has been minimal discussion on abortion from the Conservatvie caucus, for whom, one would think, an anti-abortion stance would be more prevalent.

Nary a peep from them though. Why? because Harper is cracking his whip, just like Trudeau is cracking his.

The problem with a lot of the anti-abortion crowd is that they are one-issue politicians. For many of them the horror of abortion is so pressing that for any other issue it's like "Well apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

Actually my post was a blanket statement on all parties.

 

[Cannuck]

I blame the media for not continually asking party leaders why they are against free speech. Unfortunately, it's an accepts part of our political system.

 

[Zipperfish]

Actually my post was a blanket statement on all parties.

Fair enough, cheers

 

[Corduroy]

Obviously MPs should be able to vote their conscience, but voting a certain way on certain issues is the criteria for being a member of a political party. If the Liberal party wants to make voting pro-choice necessary for MPs to call themselves Liberal, then they should be allowed to. Maybe it's not a smart move politically, but maybe it's about the time the Liberals actually stood for something.

 

[Zipperfish]

I blame the media for not continually asking party leaders why they are against free speech. Unfortunately, it's an accepts part of our political system.

Because it works. Check your ballot next time. Chances are their are a couple of Independents on there. At the end of it, they'll have as many votes as they have friends and family.

 

[Tonington]

This isn't a jab at Justin, but when should any issue trump an MP's freedom to vote their conscience? Do we not live in a democracy? No politician should be made to vote against their conscience regardless of party.

I agree. I think it's ridiculous that parties whip votes. Some think it should only apply to confidence votes, like budgets. I don't think any vote should be whipped, ever. The foundation of our democratic system rests on the elected representative being accountable to those they represent, not to party leaders and partisans.

 

[Grievous]

I agree. I think it's ridiculous that parties whip votes. Some think it should only apply to confidence votes, like budgets. I don't think any vote should be whipped, ever. The foundation of our democratic system rests on the elected representative being accountable to those they represent, not to party leaders and partisans.

Here here.....absolutely right.


Makes you wonder why voters would drop one tyrant for another one....this is a move that foreshadows the type of government Trudeau would run.

 

[55Mercury]

Here here.....absolutely right.


Makes you wonder why voters would drop one tyrant for another one....this is a move that foreshadows the type of government Trudeau would run.

makes ya wonder, if elected, what his "just watch me" moment will be.

Daddyo's, of course, was invoking martial law.

 

[Grievous]

makes ya wonder, if elected, what his "just watch me" moment will be.

Daddyo's, of course, was invoking martial law.

No need to wonder, look at the current guy and Chrétien....paints a nice picture.

 

[Cannuck]

Because it works. Check your ballot next time. Chances are their are a couple of Independents on there. At the end of it, they'll have as many votes as they have friends and family.

I don't think it works

 

[Colpy]

Obviously MPs should be able to vote their conscience, but voting a certain way on certain issues is the criteria for being a member of a political party. If the Liberal party wants to make voting pro-choice necessary for MPs to call themselves Liberal, then they should be allowed to. Maybe it's not a smart move politically, but maybe it's about the time the Liberals actually stood for something.

True, as far as it goes. But issues that touch on deeply held moral/religious views have traditionally been free votes. I see no reason to tighten an already overwhelming regimen of party control over votes in the House.

 

[damngrumpy]

Actually he is right the law already grants the right of a woman to make her decision.
As for Trudeau, well I 'm not sold on him yet but I won't be voting Harper so I have a
choice Mulcair or Trudeau.

 

[Colpy]

Actually he is right the law already grants the right of a woman to make her decision.
As for Trudeau, well I 'm not sold on him yet but I won't be voting Harper so I have a
choice Mulcair or Trudeau.

Not quite true.

There is no law, nor any right.

 

[JLM]

Actually he is right the law already grants the right of a woman to make her decision.
As for Trudeau, well I 'm not sold on him yet but I won't be voting Harper so I have a
choice Mulcair or Trudeau.

Be ready for your taxes to soar. Remember how Papa ran up $400 billion worth of debt.

 

[El Barto]

Be ready for your taxes to soar. Remember how Papa ran up $400 billion worth of debt.

Yes and I remember Mulroney complained about that only to add more to it himself.

No Government should ever run up a debt like that, too bad we can't prosecute them after monumental gaffs like that.

 

[JLM]

Yes and I remember Mulroney complained about that only to add more to it himself.

No Government should ever run up a debt like that, too bad we can't prosecute them after monumental gaffs like that.

Yep, a couple of white collar criminals if there ever were any!

 

[mentalfloss]

I agree with the direction the Liberals are taking on this issue.

There are circumstances where whips can be in order and every party has their own defining virtues.

I am glad to see that they will enforce the pro choice mandate as part of their brand. Most Liberal supporters would agree with being pro choice so there is little collateral damage.

 

[captain morgan]

I agree with the direction the Liberals are taking on this issue.

There are circumstances where whips can be in order and every party has their own defining virtues.

I am glad to see that they will enforce the pro choice mandate as part of their brand. Most Liberal supporters would agree with being pro choice so there is little collateral damage.

hehehe

Trudeau is his own worst enemy.

All the COns and NDP need do is let him keep talking

 

[taxslave]

This isn't a jab at Justin, but when should any issue trump an MP's freedom to vote their conscience? Do we not live in a democracy? No politician should be made to vote against their conscience regardless of party.

Happens all the time. That is what whipped votes are all about. Notice that often there are empty seats in the house or some members abstain on a vote. Those are basically te options if you dissagree with the party line but don't wish to loose your membership.