The recall procedure for MPs is lax where it should be stringent, and stringent where it should be lax.
Lax, because constituents cannot recall their MP of their own volition. They can only do so if given permission by the Commons’ Standards Committee – i.e: by MPs themselves.
Stringent, because the signatures of a mere ten per cent of constituents can then trigger a by-election – thus imposing one on the other 90 per cent, who may not want a contest at all.
So recall should be reformed so that, first, constituents themselves can trigger a recall petition directly but, second, that a higher percentage of them than at present must demand one – say a quarter or a third.
Were such change to have been effected, the voters of Mid-Bedforshire, who are effectively unrepresented at present, would have a choice presently denied them.
For they would be able to trigger a recall petition and then a by-election were the new, higher threshold reached. One of two oucomes would follow.
Either a petition would be begun, triggered and the necessary threshold reached, in which case a by-election would follow speedily…
…or it wouldn’t be. Perhaps there would be no petition at all. Or there would be one, but it wouldn’t reach the necessary number of signatures.
At any rate, the voters of Mid-Bedforshire would tell us something interesting to know. Either that a significant percentage of them want rid of Nadine Dorries…
…or that, however many do or don’t, not enough want rid of her to impose the fuss and bother of a by-election on their fellow constituents. They would rather get by unrepresented until 2024, or whenever the general election comes.