In a previous post on 24 August I asked:

<< Why can’t the independents and the Green MP just say that they won’t block any supply bills that are put forward by whichever party wins power, for as long as they are sensible and proper bills, without committing themselves to an alignment with either party? >>

Wilson replied:

<< Because the first thing whichever side is in opposition will do is put in a vote of no confidence against the minority government of the day, in which case the independents will still have to make a decision or you go back to square one again. Realistically, it just makes it a lot easier for everyone if these 4 or 5 non major party aligned members of the house can negotiate an outcome. >>

I can’t see it. It seems to me that the LAST thing an independent would want to do is align himself with one of the major parties in order to determine which party governs.

While the independents would then remain essentially independent, except for the agreement that they have struck to not block supply bills or whatever, the act of aligning themselves with a major party for the purpose of deciding who governs, absolutely violates the principle of independence, and enormously so!

Tony Windsor said yesterday something to the effect that whichever party he ends up supporting will result in a swag of his supporters, in his electorate and around the country, condemning him for it.

So it is surely very strongly in the interests of the independents to NOT support either party, but to simply say that they will not block essential bills and that the party that wins the most seats should govern.

If it came to a no confidence motion against a minority government, the independents would again have the balance of power and they would surely vote it down, unless the incumbent government started really playing up.

Just how independent are the independents?

Hmmm….good question!

We need INDEPENDENT independents !!