Freedom In Politics

Party politicians operate under the party whip.  They are instructed how to vote in Parliament and the Senedd by their party.  If they deviate from their instructions they risk sacrificing their career in the party, or ‘losing the whip’.  Ultimately, they risk being deselected and not being able to contest the seat for their party at the next election.  While this brings order it also limits free speech and free will.

Open Party MSs and MPs are free to speak and act as they wish.  They are not answerable to the Open Party, they are answerable to you, their electors.  There is no party whip in the Open Party.

We all toe the line at work to enable us to progress in the organisation.  This means we might stay quiet about things we disagree with.

This is dangerous in politics.  If MSs and MPs are prioritising their career over speaking up for what they really believe, this is a big problem.

In the Open Party, your MS is not trying to climb any ladder in our Party as we don’t hold the key to their seat, you do.

They are therefore free to vote, to speak and to act in whatever way they consider is in the interests of their constituents.

We think the freedom to speak the truth is vitally important.  People don’t expect to get a straight answer from a politician.  Interviews are like getting blood out of a stone.  Politicians receive media training to avoid letting anything slip.  Trust is diminished.

Party politicians are never going to be totally honest; they play a complex strategic game.  But we need to give at least some politicians the opportunity to speak freely, so the subjects and positions that are taboo can be spoken about.  This is essential for a healthy democracy.