tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post7620244493227403557..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Whips Must Issue Wake-Up Call to CandidatesIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4963852428733399842010-01-18T10:52:23.255+00:002010-01-18T10:52:23.255+00:00I agree, Childprotector, that "MPs' princ...I agree, Childprotector, that "MPs' principal role is to represent their constituents". I simply wanted to point out that a good proportion of that representation has to take place in parliament. Don't forget that most MPs justify their lengthy recesses as time they can spend in their constituencies.<br /><br />Of course if they are "sitting uselessly on the green benches" they shouldn't have become MPs at all!Adam Pritchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340875676361180846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20570690978168281522010-01-16T19:26:23.628+00:002010-01-16T19:26:23.628+00:00Being an MP is a fill time job, part to be spent i...Being an MP is a fill time job, part to be spent in the House, part in the Constituency dealing with matters there and electors' problems. If someone cannot or will not do this then they should stand aside and let someone else step up to the crease instead.<br /><br />Also newbees should remember that if they stood on the Conservative Ticket that is what got them elected and they ought to follow party policy. Only those old timers seeking re-election can claim that they were elected on their own personality and fame. <br /><br />As for rich prima-donnas with their special obsessions they ought to stand as Indepdendents paying all their election expenses themselves or stand under the label of a Party closer to their personal hobbyhorses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4499781294738938902010-01-16T18:06:27.790+00:002010-01-16T18:06:27.790+00:00The dead hand of the Whips, and the pathetic polit...The dead hand of the Whips, and the pathetic political games they force backbenchers to play, are two of the most significant reasons why the public had such a low regard for Parliament even before the expenses issue. The Tories sought candidates for whom desire to serve the country was more important than party affiliation, and it is going to be harder for the Whips to dictate to the more independent-minded of them - they can try to lean on constituency associations, but open primaries have reached beyond the ranks of devoted activists to give selected candidates a broader legitimacy, so the threat of deselection may be harder to use. <br /><br />PS Adam Pritchard - don't forget that MPs' principal role is to represent their constituents, a job most do well but without recognition. If that means being available in their constituency rather than sitting uselessly on the green benches, they should not be criticised.Enlightened Despothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06384983255525542165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33452479163684190462010-01-16T17:32:22.744+00:002010-01-16T17:32:22.744+00:00Hardly, Martha Tidville. The Tories voted against ...Hardly, Martha Tidville. The Tories voted against Second or Third Reading only four times in the last session, fully fifteen per cent of the time. They are in eighty-five per cent agreement with the Government.<br /><br />Cameron has packed the intake with his own type, but he doesn't seem to have cottoned on that they are all far too rich to care to what the hell the Whips tell them.David Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06839882674758833524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48395010774385166572010-01-16T16:20:17.884+00:002010-01-16T16:20:17.884+00:00I hope when you say `raft of new legislation` it a...I hope when you say `raft of new legislation` it actually means the swift repeal of just about everything these lying bozos have put into misplace....Mirtha Tidvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07940977481295375071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-28742546078317694562010-01-16T16:10:57.103+00:002010-01-16T16:10:57.103+00:00Thank you for reminding me that Zac Goldsmith repr...Thank you for reminding me that Zac Goldsmith represents today's Conservative Party. If I begin to waver in my voting intentions I need only remember that fact to keep me on the straight and narrow.Roland Deschainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06224091866358939619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79267366277207661712010-01-16T14:55:23.643+00:002010-01-16T14:55:23.643+00:00You'd have thought that these halfwits would a...You'd have thought that these halfwits would at least have mugged up on working conditions etc before applying.<br /><br />On second thoughts, as they are halfwits, perhaps not.<br /><br />But they'll be very carefully studying the Green Book.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39441022746728083742010-01-16T14:05:19.956+00:002010-01-16T14:05:19.956+00:00lol - It cracks me up how some candidates no nothi...lol - It cracks me up how some candidates no nothing of what they will be doing! I know i have a better grasp than many of them!<br /><br />Maybe they should try this:<br />http://tinyurl.com/yjphez8<br /><br />Its called MP for a week and is produced by education section of Parliament.uk - it is fairly realistic some MPs say but you need a fair bit of spare time as it lasts about 40 mins.<br /><br />I wonder if Zac was trying to say Susan Kramer followed the party whip 100%? I looked at Kramers details on They work for you and am surprised the Lib Dems have not insisted she surrunder those options in that company and it simply wont do to attack Goldsmith on tax when Kramer has the potential to cash in work from a consultancy. She should sign the rights away whether she is an MP or not? Is this not want Kramer wants Goldsmith to do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75894716246143158242010-01-16T13:57:24.911+00:002010-01-16T13:57:24.911+00:00The dubious authority of whips is partly what has ...The dubious authority of whips is partly what has got us into such a mess in the first place, depressing the conscience of Labour backbenchers to ensure bad legislation hit the books and our lives.<br /><br />The balance of power between Westminster and constituency has for too long been tipped wholly in the direction of that there London. A canny candidate would campaign with a catalogue of individual policies that related to their consituency and upon successful election tell the whips where to stick their lines.<br /><br />The wake-up call is for the whips not the candidates. If legislation is good it will get support, if it is bad it does not deserve it.Garethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182144080955551878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69851472936175496612010-01-16T13:45:20.479+00:002010-01-16T13:45:20.479+00:00It would be a refreshing change and signal a new b...It would be a refreshing change and signal a new beginning in politics if on many occasions the new intake told the whips "to go to hell"Sinbad the sailorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00778035294422436063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63983832509518765072010-01-16T13:30:16.216+00:002010-01-16T13:30:16.216+00:00"Don't get me wrong, I am all for MPs hav...<i>"Don't get me wrong, I am all for MPs having minds of their own and being independent minded on causes close to their hearts..."</i> <br /><br />...as long as they remember who's the daddy, I suppose?<br /><br />Does anyone ever think maybe it's the slavish voting along party lines that puts people off?JuliaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844126589712842477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69210028400063764912010-01-16T12:45:31.221+00:002010-01-16T12:45:31.221+00:00Of course the Commons could be reorganised along c...Of course the Commons could be reorganised along civilised working hours (9 to 5) and the whips abolished save only on manifesto promises.<br /><br />Then again, who wants MP's voting with their constituents views at heart rather than the government/opposition of the days?Quiet_Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575652127079681825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31756439621744662272010-01-16T12:21:53.765+00:002010-01-16T12:21:53.765+00:00Good post, but don't be so naive about what ne...Good post, but don't be so naive about what new MPs do and don't know. When they start they are provided with a great deal of information, and most importantly, what they can and can not claim back. I am sure this will change in future, and only those that ask for the claims forms will be told how to make them. (I have heard from an MP there is apparently a "New MPs Guide" floating about which explains all about how to make money from claims. I have been unable to obtain a copy, or verify its existance, but it does stand to reason, aside from the Green book, which explains very cleaerly what Not to do, there is this book which explains how and whot to cliam for.<br /><br />http://www.juryteam.org/ claims to be politics without parties, which is what you would have if each MP actually stood for what they believed in. Which is not possible in a party system.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16223569254835124953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40175848260479660182010-01-16T12:08:25.597+00:002010-01-16T12:08:25.597+00:00I think this post completely overstates things. Th...I think this post completely overstates things. The Conservative candidates I come into contact with are fully aware of what is required, even if some of them haven't been massive politicos all their lives.<br /> Then we get True Belle @ 11:14 slagging off all Conservative candidates.Conandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18028671462205997161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33816919942619856012010-01-16T12:07:22.490+00:002010-01-16T12:07:22.490+00:00Having to work up to four days a week? Oh - the hu...Having to work up to four days a week? Oh - the humanity! :-)thermalsatsumahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40176310291245625532010-01-16T11:53:30.160+00:002010-01-16T11:53:30.160+00:00Even at the 2001 election, candidates in marginal ...Even at the 2001 election, candidates in marginal seats had a call from the whips office in the lsat few days, and plenty of information in training sessions beforehand, with the clear message 'meet you in the members' lobby on Tuesday, whereupon your ass will be mine!'Village Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660425348032462759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6922170095076752472010-01-16T11:49:35.206+00:002010-01-16T11:49:35.206+00:00"Another candidate thought she would pop up t..."Another candidate thought she would pop up to the Commons on Monday morning and return to the constituency on Tuesday evening and not bother with voting the rest of the week."<br /><br /><br />I sincerely hope that this isn't a candidate for a winnable seat. If she is, she clearly has no idea what being a Member of Parliament is like, which is disgraceful when so many good people who do have a good idea of what the job entails haven't been able to find a seat.Lord Palmerstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01110646627638591271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65887401403488179532010-01-16T11:49:22.792+00:002010-01-16T11:49:22.792+00:00Good grief, are you suggesting that MP's will ...Good grief, are you suggesting that MP's will have to work for their money and even their expenses?Demetriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17198549581667363991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84026367810088539462010-01-16T11:33:17.351+00:002010-01-16T11:33:17.351+00:00"Zac Goldsmith made clear in a quite remarkab..."Zac Goldsmith made clear in a quite remarkable interview yesterday that he will be ploughing his own furrow."<br /><br />Perhaps, but probably not as an M.P.Colinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16949877777934292635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-27261284504033426182010-01-16T11:26:46.696+00:002010-01-16T11:26:46.696+00:00"...raft of new legislation."
Small sta..."...raft of new legislation."<br /><br />Small state?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687635207336160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74142268206507454382010-01-16T11:26:46.426+00:002010-01-16T11:26:46.426+00:00Surely the thing for the new batch, on all sides o...Surely the thing for the new batch, on all sides of the House, to do, is to start by changing the rules so that the House sits from 0930 to 1730 on Monday to Friday. The House, not the Government or any party leader, makes the rules. The power is in the hands of MPs. It is up to them whether they use it, and if they do not, they have only themselves to blame.<br /><br />It would also be a great improvement if the new batch, again on all sides, collectively made it clear that all whipping would be ignored. If, instead, they choose to behave like sheep, and do what the whips tell them, then they will be acting in a way that is unworthy of rational human beings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51950631566891775892010-01-16T11:14:35.112+00:002010-01-16T11:14:35.112+00:00I suppose this is the equivalent to having a seat ...I suppose this is the equivalent to having a seat at a soccer match or at Lords/MCC , but spending all ones time in corporate hospitality tent/bar, tanking up. <br /><br />Thus denying enthusiastic cricket / footbal/racing fans the chance of a decent ticket.<br /><br />I have always believed that the current crop of candidates are there because it is satisfying tick boxes of things to do, before they open a vineyard/ buy a stud/or have shares in a moor/ or Caribbean paradise.<br /><br />Times have changed , and they are all sleeping on the job.True Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16296161522047947133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83999225318793833502010-01-16T11:08:14.848+00:002010-01-16T11:08:14.848+00:00Great post Iain. It's about time MPs of all pa...Great post Iain. It's about time MPs of all parties remembered that their role is to scrutinise legislation at Westminster not to endlessly run around their constituencies peering into potholes, turning up at parliament only to pass EDMs congratulating their local football team. Of course, it is good that the days of MPs only going to the constituency twice a year have gone, but the pendulum seems to have swung in the opposite direction. This suited New Labour who preferred MPs to be kept busy away from London, but now it's time to reverse this trend and make parliament matter again.Adam Pritchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340875676361180846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48467494363200671782010-01-16T10:59:12.849+00:002010-01-16T10:59:12.849+00:00"They need to be clear that if there is a Tor..."They need to be clear that if there is a Tory government there will be a raft of new legislation..."<br /><br />Yes Iain, I'm sure there will, but is there going to be a raft of scrapping a huge haul of crap Neo Labour's laws?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com