Star comment: Good that MP fights for voters
MPs routinely find themselves in a difficult position politically.
On a daily basis, they have to weigh up conflicting demands before putting their name to a vote.
They must consider party discipline and whether to follow the wishes of their political masters, to whom they must frequently feel subservient. But – crucially – they must also assess the needs and wishes of their constituents that might be in direct opposition to the MP’s political affiliation.
Take, for instance, the issue of a government that is proposing cuts that will have an adverse impact on an MP’s constituency. That individual must decide whether to toe the line or rebel.
There are other factors to consider too. MPs must also consider what is in their own hearts when it comes to making decisions. They were elected, in part, because people found them believable and warmed to them. They have a duty to deliver on their manifestos and make good on pre-election pledges.
There are occasions when those conflicting priorities do not align and MPs must make a choice about whether they serve their conscience, their party or their constituents.
And in the case of Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, he has made a clear choice: it is the needs of those who elected him to power that come first – and not party political concerns.
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Mr Kawczynski has made the decision to rebel against his own party in calling for increased funding for local councils. It is a move that will likely win support at Shirehall and among voters in the local area, but be deeply unpopular among powerful Government whips. He has broken rank and will no doubt find himself put under great pressure as a result of his stance.
The reality is that sometimes it must be difficult being an MP when your own party is in power and you have to deal with situations of the Government’s making that affect your constituents.
There is pervasive pressure to follow the party line. And yet saying nothing or doing nothing does not make things right. MPs should stand up strongly for their communities and make difficult decisions in the quest to do what is right. In this instance, Daniel Kawczynski is doing the right thing and fighting for his constituents.
He will rightly be applauded for his willingness to stand up to the government. We must now hope his concerns are noted and acted upon by the government.
