I have been asked if I, as the GPNS party leader, would ever whip a vote, forcing other party representatives to vote as I decree. My answer is quite simple, and clearly illustrated by what I am witnessing with recent events in the province.
In every election, candidates make statements about how important it is to have local representation, and how their first allegiance is to their constituents. If this is true, how can the leader of the ruling party tell all party members how they must vote in the legislature, even when constituents are clearly stating this is not the action they wish their representatives to take? Is this really what should happen in a democracy?
Some people put forward the argument that voters are actually voting for a platform, and that the party leadership must make sure to obey this stated platform above all else. But if that were the case, how does this come into play with the current teacher’s dispute? I do not remember reading in the Liberal platform that a Liberal government would deny teachers the right of fair bargaining and order a contract. Perhaps our local MLAs could explain to us exactly why they would vote for Bill 75. Is there any reason other than “Premier McNeil told me so”?
One of our pillars of the Green Party of Nova Scotia, in agreement with the international green charter, is participatory democracy. We strongly believe in consensus based decision making, which means that one person, even if he is a Premier in a majority government, should not have the power to dictate the actions of other party members.
So, would I ever enforce a vote along party lines? No, because the practice defies my understanding of democracy.
Yours is the third NS party site I have visited. I actually came to the website to peruse and gather more information regarding your platform. My overriding concern above all is the practice of parties whipping the vote. This is very frustrating (insert swears here). So, imagine, to my surprise, opening up your website and reading your paragraphs on “no” we will not whip the votes.
Thank you…. this goes a long way in my opinion (weighs in on about 95% of my voting decision).
Just a side note. There is literally no information on both the Ndp and Conservative websites about their platform. There are a couple of vague sentences and promises. Thanks for all of your info. I will continue to read and ask questions.
Agreed. Getting rid of whipped voting is such an easy political reform. Your party should represent the general way you tend to vote. Voting like sheep every time cannot truly be representing the people that voted you in.