What happens when a person elected to a local authority or a parliament decides that the party they were elected under is no longer the one for them so they switch allegiance to another.
Apparently nothing. They’re allowed to carry on as though nothing has changed. Is this right? What about the people who elected them, don’t they have a right to have someone else representing them from the party they voted for? Someone who represents their political views rather than a ‘turncoat’?
This is something that’s being going on for years at all levels but given the current antipathy to politicians in the UK at the moment isn’t this something else that should be changed?
Several organisations are campaigning to give electors the power to “recall” their MP. This has grown out of concern over the expenses MPs are allowed to claim. But, what about when they switch party allegiance? What about if your local councillor does the switch or is caught with their hand in the till?
Election laws governing MSPs, MPs and MEPs are all governed at Westminster however, in Scotland, election laws for local authorities are controlled by Holyrood.
I believe there should be laws that force a councillor who switches political parties to resign from their position and seek re-election under their new political colours. Failure to do so means they have disenfranchised the people who voted them in. If a Councillor doesn’t resign within, say 30 days of switching, a by-election is forced with the offending person refused permission to stand in the by-election. Harsh? Maybe, but if it brings about a new spirit of integrity in our elected members it would be worthwhile.
