Do the debates about US health care make you view Parliament differently?

[TheBigotBasher]

The one thing that I have seen from the Senate and House is how independent Senators and Congress members are. That independence is certainly not valued or welcomed in UK politics, which has a much tougher whipping system.

The independence of the Senate I see as useful, especially as the UK moves towards an elected Senate / Lords. A lot of very badly drafted legislation has been passed because the use of the Whip has increased even in the Lords and at Committee.

That level of independence would however stop any radical reforms being passed. A major policy plank of Obama as candidate, was no mandates on health care and on the economy, the make work pay tax break. Both of which have been bent out of shape by Congress.

Strong Party whips mean you get the agenda delivered, the manifesto promises are kept, but as the Poll Tax now, dangerous dogs act, lone parent benefit cuts, soon to be £2billion education cuts, the badly designed employment support allowance (I would include the war in Iraq but it was never promised), sometimes the agenda is not worth delivering.

[T_i_B]

1. I've long been of the view that British MP's are not nearly independent enough

That's one of the main reasons why people are so disillusioned with UK politics if you ask me.

Here's a good article calling for the abolition of the 3 line whip

http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/2009/10/31/reform-parliment-abolish-the-whip/

[TheBigotBasher]

2. It was a pretty weak argument against the whip.

A three line whip means no pairing. Attendance is compulsory unless you have ministerial or constituency duties. No one is expelled for breaking 3 line whips. As for Labour MPs being rebellious, ask Tony Benn. Where is the Labour equivalent of Hugh Dykes for example? His replacement ended up being further to the right than hi, never mind the fact he has filled his pockets since getting elected. Labour MPs have been completely supine on the issues that matter.

Whether I want MPs to be is a different matter. No cuts of lone parent benefits, no ending of double jeopardy, no 28 days, no poll tax. However a continuation of clause 28, further restrictions on abortions (led by a Lib Dem of all people), and however many mad bits of backbench law.

This is an issue I am stuck on and the "blue dogs" in Congress tie me closer to the idea of a strong whip.