It cannot take them for granted.There have been instances of a rebel MP securing a mandate for re-election as the party’s candidate, on its ticket, despite opposition from the party’s leader in the Commons. Her successor, John Major, sensing a revolt, forced an election that he won, retaining his premiership.The rebels were led by a former attorney general, MP Dominic Grieve.Margaret Thatcher fell because the whip told her she would be defeated in the election to the party leadership.Thus, the MP has the capacity to rebel. Candidates for election to the Commons are elected by the constituency party after going through an elaborate procedure; though not without an overriding veto by the central leadership, however rarely exercised. The Congress has been run by a leader without following democratic norms. Only 48 letters from 15 per cent of Conservative MPs can trigger a leadership poll. Particularly noteworthy was Ms Soubry’s remark that they were acting on behalf of their constituents — not the party bosses.A democratic constitution worked by political parties that are run undemocratically is an incongruity. Free elections to party organs are mandatory. The chief whip keeps in touch with them and reports to the leader. Prime Minister Theresa May discovered this on December 13, 2017, when her government suffered a major defeat as rebels from her own Conservative Party allied with the Labour Party and other Opposition parties to push through an amendment to Brexit legislation, the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, in the House of Commons. MPs acting independently are a rarity.By arrangement with Dawn.In no other democracy are its political parties run by unelected party bosses as an oligarchy, if not worse. Parliamentary democracy, established by the Constitution, goes for a toss.In 1975, Thatcher defeated Heath; in 1979, a stalking horse challenged her and demanded a poll.

The party executive and representatives to assemblies of delegates must be elected by secret ballot.In Britain, political parties are organised constituency-wise. Surely, it is not a matter of the rules. This, however, is the norm in most parts of the Third World. In both parties, the party ticket to candidates for elections to Parliament and the state Assemblies is awarded by the "high command" in New Delhi. The government could have fallen if three more MPs had joined the rebels. It comprises 41 articles divided into seven chapters, dealing with internal organisation; nomination of candidates; public financing (reimbursement of election campaign expenses); presentation of accounts; and miscellaneous provisions. Another rebel, MP Anna Soubry, talked of "the ability of those of us in this place, acting on behalf of our constituents, to change some of the drift of the negotiations, to get a deal that suits everybody in our country". It was a close shave.A parliamentary system necessarily rests on a democratically elected Parliament whose members, while elected on a party ticket, nonetheless have the capacity to dissent.However, one is not sure that one is not taking a rather legalistic view. Likewise, party candidates for election to Parliament must be elected by secret ballot by the party. Society itself must Wholesale Garden Gazebos be democratic. In 1965, Edward Heath ousted Alec Douglas-Home as leader. It is thus not open to any cabal or party boss to hand out party tickets to persons whom they select as candidates for election to legislatures. She wisely resigned as Prime Minister. The high command continued to operate after independence. During the struggle for independence from colonial rule, their political parties had a highly centralised governing structure.

The rules flow from a certain political culture, and a certain political outlook. It obligates political parties to maintain a written constitution, rules and programmes. He is a political bondsman who supports the party obediently in the legislature.The amendment was passed with 309 MPs supporting the motion and 305 opposing. This requires the government to also persuade its supporters in the Commons. What is needed is not a change in the rules, welcome as that would be, but a change in outlook. The person so chosen lacks not only the will but the very capacity to rebel.In India, the BJP is run by the RSS, which not only provides the cadres and the muscle during elections but also seconds its officials to serve as secretaries in the BJP.A noteworthy model for emulation is Germany’s Parteiengesetz, the Political Parties Act.Parties’ executive committees must be elected at least every second calendar year. The rights of members are defined. India’s feudal past lingers still, which is why its political class clings to its archaic system. Besides, the related federal electoral law lays down that a party’s candidate must be elected in an assembly of party members in his constituency. They collect the funds, nominate the candidates and ensure their obedience in Parliament.

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