avocadia . # .

Suppresive effect on representation:

Parties can also cause have a restrictive effect on representation of an individual member\'s electorate. The member may be expected to support the aims of the party even when the member does not personally support a particular aim. The concept on Conscience Votes is intended for particularly controversial issues that don\'t necessarily relate to the stated philosophy of the party; the usual rules relating to enforcement of bloc voting are ignored to allow members to vote according to their own conscience. Conscience votes are rare, however. In situations were a conscience vote has been ruled out but a member, or the member\'s electorate, strongly disagrees with the party on an issue they must balance the benefits of membership against the strength of the conscience or the strength of electorate support for the contrary view. Inevitably, party loyalty will win out on issues where otherwise the member may have stood for the contrary view. The weakening effect this has on representative democracy is partially offset by the existance of Independants.