THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUENCY WORK by Patricia de Lille
2004-11-11. MPs are most likely to represent constituent interests when: 1) they know precisely who their constituents are 2) they interact with them frequently 3) their political futures depend on gaining and keeping their seats in Parliament 4) they find a balance between Parliamentary work and visits to constituencies.
While some leaders often speak in the
abstract about the "people", legislators in functioning democracies
usually see constituents as people from whom they can learn how
government policies are working, and whose support they value.
MPs with strong ties to constituents are more likely to think about policies in terms of how they affect the people they represent. The question of how well government is working is answered by how well their constituents fare under government policies. The commitment to the electorate is vastly different between a list-based MP and a constituency-based MP.
List members place less emphasis on constituency work in the absence of a direct constituency link. This is because their electoral fate depends more on securing a high position on the party list than on securing the vote of their constituents.
MPs will have an easier time representing and interacting with their constituents when they have the necessary resources. Resource constraints do limit efforts to support the needs of constituencies.
The ID believes that Parliament should review the funding formula for constituency allowances so that it is fair and reasonable given the role parties must play in constituency building.
The ID currently services fifteen offices nationally and cannot keep up with the demand for more offices. There is no need to wait for the law to be changed, we are already working in different constituencies.
The Parliamentary programme must make provision for equal time being made available for Parliamentary work and constituency periods.
I agree with the Honourable Musa Zondi.
MPs with strong ties to constituents are more likely to think about policies in terms of how they affect the people they represent. The question of how well government is working is answered by how well their constituents fare under government policies. The commitment to the electorate is vastly different between a list-based MP and a constituency-based MP.
List members place less emphasis on constituency work in the absence of a direct constituency link. This is because their electoral fate depends more on securing a high position on the party list than on securing the vote of their constituents.
MPs will have an easier time representing and interacting with their constituents when they have the necessary resources. Resource constraints do limit efforts to support the needs of constituencies.
The ID believes that Parliament should review the funding formula for constituency allowances so that it is fair and reasonable given the role parties must play in constituency building.
The ID currently services fifteen offices nationally and cannot keep up with the demand for more offices. There is no need to wait for the law to be changed, we are already working in different constituencies.
The Parliamentary programme must make provision for equal time being made available for Parliamentary work and constituency periods.
I agree with the Honourable Musa Zondi.
