I would like to give an example of this in respect of the free vote. Let us say the House decides we would like to address the concentration of power in the Executive by allowing a limited number of free votes. Several Deputies on the Government side have said they would love to have the Whip removed on occasions. Let us say the Government parties agree and allow free votes for the next three votes. At this stage it is important to address the mindsets. The current mindset for a Member on the Government side who does not vote along Government lines is that the Chief Whip will call on that Member's office and he or she might be in a lot of trouble. If a free vote is allowed from time to time but that is still the mindset, then nothing will change because everyone will still vote according to the Whip. If we could change the mindset so a Government backbencher felt he or she was expected also to hold the Cabinet to account and to bring in new ideas, and if we allow the free vote, then we will begin to get a shift in the outcomes. I encourage the Minister of State to think about that. I would be delighted to sit down and talk about various places where I have seen this work.

See this item in context