I am completely opposed to the practice of telling elected representatives how to vote.  Their constituents elected them and not their political parties.  Their responsibility is to their constituents and not a party machine.

In Pembrokeshire we see so called Independents being told how to vote before each Council meeting.  How can they call themselves Independent under those circumstances?

I applaud the 14 Liberal Democrat MP’s (nearly 25% of the parliamentary group) who broke the 3 line whip over a referendum for the EU treaty for Europe.  They made commitments to their electors at the last election and I think they should feel proud of themselves. 

I just wish our elected representatives at every level would use their own brains to judge the issues more often rather than relying on the party machine or Council leaders all the time!  Maybe the public would then give our politicians more credibility?  Please let me know what you think?