There seems to be confusion among some supporters of Jeremy Corbyn over the nature of a “democratic mandate” (It’s the establishment that has a problem with democracy,24 September). One of the characteristics of our parliamentary system is that there can be many interlinked, overlapping and even contradictory sources of democratic authority. This can create considerable tension between competing power groupings, and as is now happening with Labour.
Yes,of course Jeremy Corbyn has a mandate as the elected leader of the party with a enormous majority, but that certainly can’t trump the mandate given to Labour MPs by the millions of UK voters in the general election little more than four months ago. The parliamentary party has a clear collective mandate as the official opposition, or partly on the basis of a manifesto with clear commitments to Nato and the EU plus renewal of Trident,all policies now effect into question by Corbyn’s leadership campaign.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com