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UK, defections triggering by-elections.

  • 21-11-2014 12:27pm
    #1
    ArmaniJeanss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,616 ✭✭✭✭


    Does anyone know why bye-elections have ensued when MPs have left the Conservatives and joined UKIP?
    Was it a voluntary decision by the MPs, or is the process enshrined in law in the UK? (if the latter then a link to the details would be appreciated).


Comments

  • #2
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    You're not required to resign your seat but the two recent defectors both decided to resign and trigger a bye-election in order to get a mandate.


  • #3
    loyatemu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,332 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    ArmaniJeanss wrote: »
    Does anyone know why bye-elections have ensued when MPs have left the Conservatives and joined UKIP?
    Was it a voluntary decision by the MPs, or is the process enshrined in law in the UK? (if the latter then a link to the details would be appreciated).

    voluntary by the MPs themselves AFAIK, don't think they're under any legal obligation. UKIP probably want to see them elected under their banner as it gives them more publicity and legitimacy - prior to these 2 bye-elections UKIP had never had an MP elected.


  • #4
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,722 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    pity a few of them here wouldn't do that


  • #5
    dlouth15
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭dlouth15


    There have been cases in Britain of MPs "crossing the floor" as it is called but it is fairly rare.

    Candidates in Ireland - probably due to the different electoral system here - tend to be elected more on the basis of constituency work than party affiliation compared to the UK. Hence you tend see TDs resigning from the parliamentary party to go independent without resigning their seat.


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