Michael McDowell has pointed out that political groups in Germany use a less strict whip system compared to what we operate in Ireland, stating that our own system is overly harsh and politicians should be granted the freedom to vote according to their own beliefs. A glaring example of the Irish system’s harshness was seen in 2013 when Enda Kenny, under the Labour Party’s insistence, threatened Fine Gael TDs that they wouldn’t be considered as party candidates for the upcoming general election unless they supported abortion legislation, directly breaking a vow made to the electorate in 2011.
During the same period, I had a conversation with several parliament members from Germany’s CDU, who were astounded that such a whip could be enforced on a contentious matter of personal belief. This lead to amusing remarks by one, suggesting a similar attempt in the CDU to enforce a whip on abortion would lead to the party’s breaking into three fractions with none certain of their authority to expel the others. However, such a comically absurd situation, reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch, does not deter Irish politicians, as demonstrated by Mr Kenny who removed nine Fine Gael TDs and Senators for honouring an election pledge.
The absurd severity of the Irish party whip was recently reflected in the actions of four Fianna Fáil MEPs, who voted against the reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission against their official party line. Their actions could have thrown the EU into months of political instability, but Fianna Fáil chose to impose no penalties on them. Though, had all four been Dáil or Seanad members and voted against even the most trivial committee amendment, they would have been promptly dismissed from the party.
Progress is long overdue for political parties to adjust their internal rules to enforce the whip only on critical votes of confidence, or on proposals that were clearly put forth in their election manifestoes.
If they resist to comply, it would be necessary to enact laws that make the whip’s reform a prerequisite for the substantial financial support political parties garner from the treasury. Kind regards,
BARRY WALSH,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.