Parliament Crossing The Floor

By state political correspondent peter mccutcheon.

Parliament crossing the floor. Floor crossing in south africa was abolished in january 2009. Voting against party lines may lead to consequences such as losing a position e g as minister or a portfolio critic or being ejected from the party caucus. Madam speaker declare vacant seats of mps crossing the floor september 12 2020 lowani mtonga nyasa times 19 comments section 65 of the constitution is very clear about members of parliament. This is the only joint sitting held pursuant to s.

Floor crossing was a system introduced to the post apartheid south african political system in 2002 under which members of parliament members of provincial legislatures and local government councillors could change political party or form a new party and take their seats with them when they did so. Only 12 per cent of divisions were affected by these floor crossings. The expression comes from the seating arrangements in the chamber where the government party sit together on the right and the opposition sit together to the left. Crossing the floor occurred much more frequently in the senate than in the house of representatives.

What is the consequence of crossing the floor. For example a senator or member who crosses the floor may have to explain their actions to their party or face other consequences. To leave one political party and join another. 57 of the constitution the two houses do sit jointly on other occasions such as the opening of a new parliament or an address by a visiting head of government.

Although members who change party allegiance during the course of a parliament rarely stand for their new party in the same constituency at the following election crossing the floor does not mean political death. From 1950 to 2004 245 members of parliament crossed the floor representing 24 per cent of all members of parliament who served in this period. Although crossing the floor rarely occurs now it has happened more frequently in the past. There are examples of members being found safe seats by their new party and even taking their place on the front bench.

There may be consequences for senators and members who cross the floor but this is a matter that would be dealt with by the party and is not a matter for the parliament. Why an lnp backbencher crossing the floor in parliament is nothing for labor to gloat over. Crossing the floor may mean changing to a second party after being elected as a member of a first party or voting against the approved party lines.