theories of representation

what is the purpose of MP's in parliament?

to represent their constituents

what is the delegate model?

sees MP's as acting as a mouthpiece for their constituents, directly reflecting their views and wishes in parliament regardless of their own opinions or party stance

what is the trustee model?

devised by Edmund Burke and argues an MP should defend their constituents interests by exercising their own judgement according to each issue

how did Edmund Burke justify his trustee model?

on the basis that he knew and understood more than his constituents

what is the mandate or party representation model?

MP's are elected for belonging to a particular party and are not elected on their own merits, voters may expect MP's to always vote with their party wishes and in line with the party's manifesto

what is the constituency representation model?

places the constituency at the heart of how an MP votes which may mean defending the interests of the constituency even if they clash with party policy

what is the resemblance or descriptive/functional model?

aims to create a parliament that reflects society at large due to arguments that parliament needs greater diversity, such as 52% of the UK population being women meaning 52% of MP's should be women