Independent (politician): Difference between revisions
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{{Image|Ryuhei-kawada.jpg|right|250px|[[Japan]]ese independent [[politics|politician]] [[Ryuhei Kawada]] campaigning in [[election]]s to the [[House of Councillors|upper house]] of the [[Diet of Japan|Japanese parliament]] in 2007. As Kawada's campaign particularly focused on [[health]] issues, he sought office separately from national [[political party|political parties]].}} | |||
'''Independent''' refers to the status of a [[politics|politician]] who is not associated with a [[political party]]. Such an individual may stand for [[election]] to some office or seat in a [[parliament]] or other elected institution without a commitment to uphold the policies of a political group, and so may represent any political view. A party politician may also be allowed to disaffiliate from their colleagues and sit outside their group, again choosing to be known as an independent. Independents may well have been elected on a manifesto, however, in which they pledged to represent certain interests and vote according to a particular cause; the term does ''not'' necessarily mean that they are politically impartial. | '''Independent''' refers to the status of a [[politics|politician]] who is not associated with a [[political party]]. Such an individual may stand for [[election]] to some office or seat in a [[parliament]] or other elected institution without a commitment to uphold the policies of a political group, and so may represent any political view. A party politician may also be allowed to disaffiliate from their colleagues and sit outside their group, again choosing to be known as an independent. Independents may well have been elected on a manifesto, however, in which they pledged to represent certain interests and vote according to a particular cause; the term does ''not'' necessarily mean that they are politically impartial. | ||
Independents might choose to vote for or against proposed laws according to their personal preferences, the wishes of some other group, such as members of the public who voted for them, or for any other reasons; they are not required to vote with or against a government or party. In practice, elected independents are rare unless they have unofficial support from parties or organisations. For instance, in the [[1997 United Kingdom general election]] independent candidate [[Martin Bell]] was elected when two main parties did not field candidates, allowing their supporters to unite and elect Bell on an "anti-sleaze" ticket. In [[Japan]], independent candidates are often backed by political parties, particularly in regional politics, but are not bound to fully represent them. For example, [[Shintaro Ishihara]] (石原 慎太郎 ''Ishihara Shintaroo''), the [[Governor of Tokyo]] since 1999, stood as an independent on first and subsequent election to the office, with support from the [[Liberal Democratic Party of Japan]] (LDP) and [[New Komeito]]; indeed, Ishihara had previously been an LDP member. | Independents might choose to vote for or against proposed laws according to their personal preferences, the wishes of some other group, such as members of the public who voted for them, or for any other reasons; they are not required to vote with or against a government or party. In practice, elected independents are rare unless they have unofficial support from parties or organisations. For instance, in the [[1997 United Kingdom general election]] independent candidate [[Martin Bell]] was elected when two main parties did not field candidates, allowing their supporters to unite and elect Bell on an "anti-sleaze" ticket. In [[Japan]], independent candidates are often backed by political parties, particularly in regional politics, but are not bound to fully represent them. For example, [[Shintaro Ishihara]] (石原 慎太郎 ''Ishihara Shintaroo''), the [[Governor of Tokyo]] since 1999, stood as an independent on first and subsequent election to the office, with support from the [[Liberal Democratic Party of Japan]] (LDP) and [[New Komeito]]; indeed, Ishihara had previously been an LDP member. | ||
Revision as of 01:30, 8 April 2010
Japanese independent politician Ryuhei Kawada campaigning in elections to the upper house of the Japanese parliament in 2007. As Kawada's campaign particularly focused on health issues, he sought office separately from national political parties.
Independent refers to the status of a politician who is not associated with a political party. Such an individual may stand for election to some office or seat in a parliament or other elected institution without a commitment to uphold the policies of a political group, and so may represent any political view. A party politician may also be allowed to disaffiliate from their colleagues and sit outside their group, again choosing to be known as an independent. Independents may well have been elected on a manifesto, however, in which they pledged to represent certain interests and vote according to a particular cause; the term does not necessarily mean that they are politically impartial.
Independents might choose to vote for or against proposed laws according to their personal preferences, the wishes of some other group, such as members of the public who voted for them, or for any other reasons; they are not required to vote with or against a government or party. In practice, elected independents are rare unless they have unofficial support from parties or organisations. For instance, in the 1997 United Kingdom general election independent candidate Martin Bell was elected when two main parties did not field candidates, allowing their supporters to unite and elect Bell on an "anti-sleaze" ticket. In Japan, independent candidates are often backed by political parties, particularly in regional politics, but are not bound to fully represent them. For example, Shintaro Ishihara (石原 慎太郎 Ishihara Shintaroo), the Governor of Tokyo since 1999, stood as an independent on first and subsequent election to the office, with support from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and New Komeito; indeed, Ishihara had previously been an LDP member.