MPs are free to ignore referendum results and manifestos

Question 1

trustee model

Answer 1

-trustee model,Burke:placing trust in enlightened individuals to exercise their own judgement
-Burke believed MPs must utilise their ‘mature judgement’ and ‘enlightened conscience’ to make decisions even if they aren’t the most popular
-example trustee MP is Lisa Nandy for Wigan,she has been at odds with her constituents over issues e.g. Brexit (she was remain), she respectfully listens to her constituents but prefers to exercise her own judgement

Question 2

trustee model evaluation

Answer 2

The independence MPs exercise from their constituents should not be exaggerated. If it is likely to reduce the chance of re-election,
“single minded seekers of re-election” (MPs) will rein in their own views. Changes in policy and support for party leadership are often the result of struggles for power (Sunak unquestionably sought to become PM) rather than genuine exercises of “conscience” in the
Burkean sense. See the argument on the ‘delegate model.’

Question 3

backbench rebellions are at an all time high

Answer 3

-when MPs refuse to follow the instructions of the whips and exercise their free judgement on an issue
-if a government refuses to shift its position despite backbench concerns, MPs are expected to remain loyal and vote accordingly
-backbench rebellions are more commonplace today than any time post ww2
-high profile rebellion:2003 139 Labour MPs voted against the government’s decision on the war in Iraq

Question 4

backbench rebellions evaluation

Answer 4

Academics, like Philip Cowley, are keen to point out that this is all relative. In our system, members of the legislature do vote with their party the vast majority of the time even if there are a number of high-profile rebellions over issues such as the Iraq War, the EU, and Covid-19 restrictions. In other words, the whips are successful most of the time.

Question 5

MPs adopting delegate model

Answer 5

MPs take positions based on feedback from constituents rather than using their ‘mature judgement’
-an example delegate MP is the newly elected red wall MP James Grundy,fearful of loosing his seat
-this model has spread due to a loss of trust in MPs, 1 in 5 Britons trust their MP,Brexit,scandals,atomistic society,media, and partisan dealignment
-You Gov polling prior to 2019 election, 80% of MPs believed they had to exercise their ‘mature judgement’ only 7% of the electorate agreed

Question 6

delegate model evaluation

Answer 6

Although the delegate model is on the rise, many MPs still embody the Burkean ideal – and focus on the national interest rather than constituency or party interest. Many MPs join Commons Select Committees and work diligently in the national interest, taking positions that make them unpopular in their own party and often with their own constituents. 21 Tory MPs had the ‘whip removed’ by Boris Johnson (kicking them out of the Conservative Party) for refusing to
follow his Brexit policy.

Question 7

party whips

Answer 7

-whips instruct MPs how to vote
-‘three-line’ whips,are important and defying one can result in the whip being withdrawn from the MP,whips can end political careers
-whips can use positive incentives (appointment to a ministerial role) to control MPs too
-peerage and titles can be offered too, e.g. Sir Gavin Williamson
-whips can be known to practice the ‘dark arts’ (blackmail) tory MP William Wragg went to the police to accuse whips of such

Question 8

whips evaluation

Answer 8

It is important to not to exaggerate the power of whips. The whipping system is a two-way street. Granted, on the one side MPs are
expected to follow orders. But on the other, the whips report back to government the concerns of MPs. Keen to avoid an embarrassing defeat in the
Commons, the government will often adapt its position. MPs will then vote in-line with the whips instructions. Hence, at first glance, it looks as if
MPs are behaving as ‘sheep’ but in reality, there is a symbiotic relationship between the whips and MPs.