Losing the whip

ILikeBananas

Earlier today Labour TD Tommy Broughan voted against a point of order in the Dail and thus lost the party whip.

What are the down sides to losing the whip? Is it simply a case that you will never be in line for a top job in the future or will you lose the party backing (and funding) in the next election?

Broughan also said that he hopes that all Labour party TDs will join him on the Opposition benches to oppose elements of the Government's economic policy. Do they actually physically move across to the other side of the house or this just a turn of phrase?

nesf

They no longer sit with the Labour Party and can vote however they like however they run the risk of having Labour pick a different official candidate for the next election in their constituency and losing any financial support from the party.

Generally the people you see doing it are strong on local issues and they figure they can get reelected as an Independent if the above happens. Or they are very ideological like Tommy and stick to their principles (rare in politics).

Sunnyisland

I am being a sinic in thinking that the two labour TDs who have voted against the whip and have been moved out of the labour party in the dail know that with the massive majority the government has that everything will be passed anyway and there just removing themselves from the backlash when it comes at the next election ?

nesf

realies wrote: »

I am being a sinic in thinking that the two labour TDs who have voted against the whip and have been moved out of the labour party in the dail know that with the massive majority the government has that everything will be passed anyway and there just removing themselves from the backlash when it comes at the next election ?

That would be my cynical view of it. Though I don't doubt Tommy Broughan's convictions.

Scofflaw

nesf wrote: »

They no longer sit with the Labour Party and can vote however they like however they run the risk of having Labour pick a different official candidate for the next election in their constituency and losing any financial support from the party.

Generally the people you see doing it are strong on local issues and they figure they can get reelected as an Independent if the above happens. Or they are very ideological like Tommy and stick to their principles (rare in politics).

Plus, of course, losing the chance to have their friends and relatives appointed to quango boards.

cordially,
Scofflaw

anymore

Jackie Healy Rae will be able to tell you all about the ' DISADVANTAGES' of being independent !:D