> It is important to distinguish between two conceptions of democracy. A > representative votes for what he perceives to be the wishes of his > constituents. The US constitution, with its division of powers between the > executive and the legislative branches, favors this concept. > > The British tradition does not have this division. Members of Parliament > are expected to vote for what they perceive to be in the best interests of > the country and their constituents. They are delegates and not > rpresentatives.
This is true. In Britain and Canada, a Member of Parliament can be thrown out of the party for not voting the party line. He'd still retain his seat, but he'd not be a member of any party, unless he joined another one. Members not aligned with a party find it hard to get speaking time, and when they're up for re-election, they won't have any party's endorsement which will cost them votes. In the US, a representative can't be expelled for voting different to the majority other representatives in his party. He's expected to vote the way the majority of his constituents want him to vote. Stephen Gallagher
