Difficult Decisions

Parliamentarians are responsible to both citizens and their parties. Senators represent regions, and Members of Parliament (MPs) represent people in their constituencies. Some parliamentarians sit as independents, but most are members of political parties.

Think

If you were a parliamentarian, what would you see as the challenges of representing both your political party and the views of your citizens?

Locate

Locate a story in the news about a Senator or an MP who may disagree with his/her party over an issue.

Identify

Identify the issue.

What is the party’s position on the issue?

What is the parliamentarian's position on the issue?

Determine

Determine what options are available to the parliamentarian that could resolve the conflict.

Which solution would you recommend? Why?