David Wilks last week transformed from a entirely unknown
backbencher in the Conservative caucus to one of the best-known Conservative
MPs in Canada. Mr. Wilks (CPC – Kootenay-Columbia, BC) committed one of the
most familiar errors in democratic politics – he was caught telling the truth.
During a meeting with constituents on the omnibudget bill expressed concerns he shared with his constituents.
In the YouTube video linked above Mr. Wilks admits (confides?) that he and other MPs have major reservations
about the Harper budget.
Wilks offers startling, and frank insight into how the
Conservative caucus, the House of Commons and Canadian politics works. He
states bluntly to his voters that he has no power as an individual. While he
has major reservations and problems with the legislation unless thirteen other
CPC MPs object with him, nothing will happen. So, if a vote against won’t do
anything, he might as well vote for and not rock the boat.
Perhaps the most alarming thing Mr. Wilks discusses was
that backbencher MPs get 10 minutes a week to raise questions and concerns. I
recently spent time with academics, and they fail to ask brief
questions/comments, I can only imagine a politician. This is not how the system
is designed to work.
To paraphrase V for
Vendetta, people shouldn’t be afraid of their governments, governments
should be afraid of their MPs. In a Westminster parliamentary system the Prime Minister
and cabinet only hold power at the consent of the caucus. Caucus revolts are
not unheard of or uncommon in the United Kingdom. Even after vigorous whipping
MPs will vote against their government if their constituents, or their
principles would not go along with it. Political parties are merely alliances
of candidates/MPs, if a leader loses authority or trust over this alliance
their government falls.
Canada has strayed from this system. We elect party
leaders directly which gives them extra clout. In previous weeks I have
discussed the alarming concentration of power in the hands of our Prime
Ministers. The toothlessness of the MPs are a key component of this. Aaron
Wherry is entirely correct in this piece when he speaks about what David Wilks’comments mean.
I would like to see greater independence amongst Canada’s
MPs (and MPPs/MLAs for that matter). They are our representatives. Citizens
often have limited power in relation to their governments, but MPs constantly
have the ability to influence and shape events. The five political parties in
our House of Commons cannot possibly represent the full spectrum of opinion in
Canada, marching lockstep behind party leadership only weakens our democracy.
Bruce Hyer (IND – Thunder Bay-Superior North, ON) claims to be much happier now
that he is free of party discipline.
However, there is a caveat. We probably do not want to
see a parliament filled to the brim with independent-minded MPs. The House of
Commons may begin to look much more like the United States’ House of
Representatives. Congressmen and -women are only moved to vote for legislation
if a particular provision of theirs – some pet project, or favour – is supplied.
This is how you end up with boondoggle infrastructure projects and ludicrous
public policy.
A certain level of party discipline has its place, but
the rigid control and silence of dissenting voices helps no one. The saddest
part of all is that no one took away MPs’ power, they surrendered it. In order
to please the leadership in hopes of future advancement many have neutered
themselves. On the positive side to return the system to order they merely have
to act. They’ll need pressure though, and the only place that can come from is
from voters.
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