28 May 2007

Graham Brady MP to be sacked?

I'm not about to engage in Westminster gossip, I try to leave that to others (that is not to say I disapprove but that I recognise that other bloggers are better positioned to do it), but this article in the Telegraph which suggests that Graham Brady, Shadow Minister for Europe, is to be sacked, highlights an important issue.

Having a system where every MP of a particular party is expected to toe the line is not in the best interests of anyone; a party full of clones would lose its appeal and would undermine politics - it is one of the reasons why I find it difficult to respect all the New Labour stooges who vote in support of the Labour leadership when their vote is totally against the principles they stood for as an MP (and in some cases totally contrary to a manifesto they campaigned for).

However, I think it is reasonable to expect that a Shadow Cabinet Minister should toe the line and respect the policies put forward. You would expect him to argue his particular case in the right arena (such as within the cabinet), and if he has a real conscientious objection to policy, to resign and make his case from the backbenches. United leadership is just as important as allowing some rebellion amongst party ranks.

So should Graham Brady be sacked. I am in two minds; it depends on whether this is one of many issues where he has undermined the leadership, and I am not in a position to judge. He should certainly have had his runes read to him.

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