Ideology, Grandstanding, and Strategic Party Disloyalty in the British Parliament

• Published in: The American political science review Vol. 112; no. 1; pp. 15 - 30
• Main Authors: SLAPIN, JONATHAN B., KIRKLAND, JUSTIN H., LAZZARO, JOSEPH A., LESLIE, PATRICK A., O’GRADY, TOM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Calculus; Debates; Discipline; Government (Administrative Body); Group Activities; Ideology; Legislators; Legislatures; Members of Parliament; Opposition parties; Parliamentary systems; Parliaments; Political science; Politics; Speeches; University colleges; Voter behavior; Voting; United Kingdom > UK

Strong party discipline is a core feature of Westminster parliamentary systems. Parties typically compel members of Parliament (MPs) to support the party regardless of MPs’ individual preferences. Rebellion, however, does occur. Using an original dataset of MP votes and speeches in the British House...