UKC

There's been lots of talk of late about reforming our voting system, with widespread discontent with FPTP being a common theme.

Another issue of concern is that party whips are too prevalent on important matters, such that elected representative MPs are not free to vote in accordance with what they feel is best for their constituents or for the country as a whole, and are strongly pressured to follow the party leader's instruction instead (notably on matters that were not in any manifesto).

Here's another idea. What about ending party whips by introducing Parliamentary secret ballots, then publish each MP's voting record 3 months before the next election. Let MPs stand and be reelected on what they believe, rather than what they're told to support.

Any thoughts on implications and consequences?

Wow! That's a bold idea

You'd have to introduce PR at the same time as the two big parties were smashed to smithereens. I like it!

It’s an interesting thought but whipping works both ways. The trouble we’re in today with Brexit is arguably because of a lack of party discipline in the Conservatives. Anti-EU MPs have been consistently voting against their party whip since Major’s government, and their continual fractiousness was the reason Cameron called the referendum.