On Eric Joyce, (currently and likely to remain) MP

[danieldwilliam]

Reports today that Eric Joyce MP, recently famed for allegations that he was involved in a fracas in the Palace of Westminster has had an affair with a 17 year old school girl who worked in his constituency office.

Whether you approve or not of people headbutting Tory MP’s or shagging school girls I note that you won’t be able to seek Eric Joyce’s recall unless he’s convicted *and* his fellow MP’s decide that you are allowed to.

A right of recal that is contingent on someone else’s acquience is not a right.

Comments

"We have found a witch, may we burn her?"

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I'm quite conflicted on a right of recall. On the one hand, I'm not sure that I'd want a hard drinking womanising MP representing me, in case they thought I was like that. On the other, I don't think I'd want my MP to be removed because the Daily Mail accused her of being a hard drinking womaniser, and started a write-in campaign against her (and let's face it - Joyce will be gone as soon as he is convicted, surely?).
In general, I think that if someone is elected for a parliamentary term, then they should be there unless convicted of a crime that makes them unsuitable to hold office.
Personally, I'd be furious if my MP wandered off to represent another party, or no party at all, but I'm not sure even that is a good reason to recall them.

Re: "We have found a witch, may we burn her?"

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

Generally in favour of elected representatives serving a full term but I can think of many circumstances where I wouldn’t be and I’d like to have the right to decide and the ability (or not) to persuade my fellow consitituents.

So I favour recalls set off by constitutuent petition but with a relatively high threshold.

The system seems to work okay in the States.