Collective Responsibility -v- Individual Responsibility.

[DanaC]

Recently I've been in a position where my usual acceptance of collective responsiblity has been challenged. It's left me mulling it over.

I've always maintained that I would not vote for something that ran against my conscience, regardless of the group position on that issue. I have also, always maintained that once the group has debated and voted on an issue, that the group position should be held once we walk into the chamber. I think most people in the group share that stance to a lesser or greater degree.

I recently broke the group line. Along with one other group member, I voted against something which the group had taken a position and to which a three-line whip had been applied. The other councillor and myself argued against the group's strategy and were explicit in our intention to vote against, despite the liklihood of diciplinary action being taken. I did this partly through conscience: I am fairly sure that the people who voted for me, and members of the wider party do not support the group's position on this matter. But, the same strategy was entered into last year and I voted for it. This time, I believe the group are a) committing a slow, political suicide and b) have failed to adequately assess the impact that this strategy has had in the previous two years. In other words, the argument has not been sufficiently made this year, but is not in itself one of my absolute 'red lines'.

I was, accused of 'cherry picking' those issues I stand with the group on. Everyone has voted for things they didn't necessarily agree with, because they lost the argument in the group. Disagreement on strategy; unease about a policy. There are times, when we all must swallow our disquiet and show a united face with our party colleagues. I have done, and will no doubt do again. I haven't until now rebelled, because I have not up until now encountered a situation where the argument for has not been good enough to sway me.

So. My question to this board is: in the context of a political party, what role is there for such collective positions?