Letter: Tory quandary over leadership
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Yesterday in the House of Commons the Prime Minister put his finger on exactly what has been wrong with the government of this country in the recent past, particularly under Conservative governments. In response to criticism by Tony Marlow, John Major said:
I remind you that it might be a useful novelty if from time to time you were prepared to support the government you were elected to support.
There speaks a former whip. But that view of an MP's responsibilities is incorrect. MPs are elected to represent, first, the interests of all their constituents, and, second, the interests of their country. These will often coincide; but they are likely to clash with government policy when the latter is based on dogma rather than reason and lacks popular support.
While support for party is the primary criterion by which MPs determine how to vote, we shall suffer bad government, lose economic ground and become an increasingly divided society.
Yours sincerely,
A. M. HULME
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
30 March
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments