Books, Big Ideas, Q&As

‘By far the most powerful hidden element of party discipline is the social pressure on MPs to toe the party line’: Alex Marland on his book Whipped

Alex Marland talks about his sensational new book, Whipped: Party Discipline in Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured speaking at a Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 23, 2020. Asked why Canadian Parliamentarians so rarely stray from party boundaries, Alex Marland says a big reason that MPs toe the line is that they perceive too many negative consequences for breaking ranks. At a minimum, someone from the leader’s office or whip’s office is going to phone to ask what’s going on, and some caucus members will probably give you an earful.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feature

BY KATE MALLOY

December 21, 2020

Alex Marland has delivered another banger of a book. The award-winning author and Memorial University political science professor, who has carved out a niche as an expert in political communications, political marketing, election campaigning, and Canadian political parties, dishes up another delig...

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