Smoking Ban Vote - do MPs really represent you?

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As another thought after this thread I was wondering if MPs really do represent the views of their constituents. I realise this doesn't just apply to the smoking ban vote.

You see in a whipped vote the MP must follow the party line. So if the people they represents disagree with the party line then tough, their views are ignored.

In a free vote the MP can vote according to his/her conscience. Now to me that means that if this disagrees with the people they represent then, again, it's tough, their views ignored.

Now in a free vote (like the smoking ban) I suppose an MP could find out what local opinion is and go along with it. However, do they really bother or is it like any clique just about winning brownie points with their peers and voting accordingly?

Any thoughts?
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[lilredmachine]

'democracy'

Sucks.
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[Dom]

When do they ever actually represent anything other than their own interests? Show me a politician doing his job for a reason other than personal gain and I'll show you a liar.
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[swampy]

To live in a true democracy we would have a referendum on every law that was debated. As we don't, I would consider us to live in an elected dictatorship. Just my
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[colin1]

we get to choose between 3 colours on voting day, and in most areas, our vote doesnt matter as that area is usually one particular colour due to who lives there

i think a lot of politicians are doing something they believe in rather than just for the money, but that doesnt stop them from being stupid and incompetant at times
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

Imo you elect a politician to best represent your views and make educated decisions based on knowing all the facts.

You may not want a ban, but maybe they know it is best for you and the country....

[colin1]

damnit maurice, you are not supposed to respect politicians !

did they take you away and brainwash you or something ?

i dont think most politicians are much more educated about the facts than I am. I doubt many have actually read the bill they are voting on
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[mattsmith95]

[Mrs Kickstart]

Hi,

...and it could be that a lot of people dont tell their MP what they think.

Of course it does not mean they will vote the way you want. The whip system is a great advert for an independent MP.

Regards
C
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[Flip]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[plugger147]

[ace2004k]

my opinion on this matter is that they have taken the law tooo far! i myself am a non smoker who hasent touched a fag in my life. i like that fact that wen the law comes into effect that i will be able to come outta a niteclub and not smell like an astray but at the same time i dont mind people smoking around me aslong as they dont intentionally smoke into my face

so yer, its gone 2 far

[Mister James]

And yet polls consistently show that a large majority are in favour of a total ban, and have been for some time.

We live in a representative democracy. The original greek method of making a 'true' democracy work was to limit the vote to a handful of the population - basically the political classes that would control it anyway! I think I prefer our system.

[colin1]

I live in a labour area, it has always been labour, and always will be. It doesnt matter whether I vote or not, or who I vote for as Labour will always win. So I dont bother voting.

If i did feel like campaigning for a party, I'd do it in a marginal seat not a safe one.

On things related to voting...
In ancient greece it was just the rich who voted.
In America I tend to think politicians just rely on big business to donate cash to buy votes with advertising campaigns. I tend to think Bush does what ever the Oil Companies want.

Today I was a bit curious about Dick Cheney (the one in Bush's government who shot someone). It turns out that he is an oil executive (Haliburton the same company killa works for) so the oil companies and government are one and the same in America. Not separate bodies scratching each others backs at all !

So when Bush invaded Iraq, his administraion were far closer to the oil companies than Id realised.

Im glad its not that bad yet in England.
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[Mister James]

[kal9001]

I understand the importance of voting and i do vote, but it does seem like no matter who we have in govenment or the local council its allways the same.
what would the libdems do different to labour (i am seriousley considering supporting them as they seem to be the only party who arent fuckwits that realy on making promises they have no intentions of keeping just so they win, or pulling off an elaborate stunt the month before an election!)

but my point is...noone could come into power and say "i want to do this" cos no matter who you vote in, the gits youve just voted out will always be there moaning and moaning and trying to interupt it all. i just seems a rather limited govenment to me.
which has its benefits, like if the BNP got in...then they could be stoped from turning the country into a racial battleground. or if the greens got in they couldnt just say "turn off the power stations" and we have to live with it...
it just seems the politicalprocess is VERY slow to change and one goventment doesnt seem to do any different from annother
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