Is non-decision a way to decide?
The so-called non-decision-making process should also be allocated its part in the discussions of the British Parliament. A position, I strongly agree with, is the one expressed by Philip Cowley in the book ‘Developments in British Politics 8 (2006)’, and that is: ‘Only those who have a very limited understanding of the concept of political power focus solely on the number of times a government is defeated in the division lobbies’[1]. This is to explain that even with few or no defeats at all, a government is still opposed and influenced by some of its back-benchers. Knowing that a number of MPs will rebel against a bill, party leaders initiate debates and negotiations with back-benchers to amend the bill in question before it is presented in Parliament, so that defeat and the embarrassment that follows are avoided. The sole existence of the non-decision-making process is a great support for the assertiveness thesis, because it shows how greatly the government is influenced by the parliament and that parliament does matter! Another practice in Parliament, that adds to its credibility as a democratic institution is the ‘free votes’ practice. Without being provided with any instruction by party whips prior to votes on ‘embryo research, capital punishment, euthanasia, gun control, homosexuality and hunting’, MPs are left to exercise their vote using their own morals and judgement.
For example is a decision on biodiesel is known no to be supported by many MPs but is what the Government wants to decide the party whip will either try to convince the rebels or the party will withdraw the proposal altogether. It is an embarassment for the Government to lose in voting
[1] P. Dunleavy et al (2006), ‘Developments in British Politics 8’. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers
, page 44
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