Representing What?

Another fine day in this little corner of the Dis-United Kingdom.
Bright sunshine, cool wind, white clouds scudding across the china-blue sky.
Ideal weather for gardening.
After a morning's pottering amongst our rapidly growing runner bean and tomato plants, Nosher and I settled into our old deckchairs at lunchtime to listen to the one o'clock news on BBC Radio 4. When the programme finished Nosher leant down and switched off his little trannie.
'I wonder' he said 'if any of the MPs debating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will actually have changed their views by the end of the debate in the House of Commons?'
'Are you questioning the point of having a debate at all?' I asked.
Nosher pursed his lips as if the question was impertinent.
'I think' he said, saying his words with care 'that if they took a vote before the debate as well as after, and it turned out not one MP had changed sides, then the taxpayer would be entitled to ask whether the whole charade is worth the horrendous expense!'
'Surely the point of a representative democracy' I rejoined 'is that the MPs represent their constituents' views?'
Nosher gave me his 'you're so stupid' look. It was withering.
'Do you really think a Roman Catholic MP is going to come to the conclusion that his (or her) constituents' best interests is served by the abortion time limit remaining at 24 weeks, and pass up an opportunity to get it reduced to 22, in accordance with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, which wants to ban abortion completely?'
Now it was my time to stare at Nosher.
'Are you saying that MPs represent their own interests in Parliament and not their constituents?'
'I'm saying it looks very much that way' Nosher replied 'and if that is the case all that is happening when we vote in an MP is sending someone to Parliament who can do exactly as they please until the next General Election, whilst claiming it's for the benefit of their constituents, which may not be the case at all.'
There was a long pause during which the parsnip wine came in very handy.
'So what's the point of our kind of democracy?' I asked.
'It keeps a bunch of ambitious, opinionated, self-righteous troublemakers off the streets and discourages revolutions by giving the impression our best interests are being protected' Nosher replied. He stared at me as if challenging me to disagree.
'And' he continued 'it gives them membership of the best club in the world along with a very cushy lifestyle, and almost no accountability to anyone except themselves. Can't think why it attracts the kind of people it does!'
More from www.overthegardenfence.blogspot.com soon.
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Wishing you a wonderful day!