I'm doing some homework, please help.
2007-10-28 18:25:47 · 7 answers · asked by Zahra 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
The term comes from parliamentary democracies -- specifically the British House of Commons.
In the British House of Commons, the Government and Opposition sit on benches facing each other with the Government on one side of the House and the Opposition on the other side with a small floor in between them. When time comes to vote, members vote by entering into one of two lobbies (and tellers count the people as they enter each lobby). One of the lobbies is on the government side and one is on the opposition. To vote with the government, you enter the lobby on the government side of the House. To vote with the opposition, you enter the lobby on the opposition side of the House. For a member of the government party to vote against the government (or for a member of the opposition to vote for the government), they literally have to cross the floor to vote.
2007-10-28 19:11:17 · answer #1 · answered by Tmess2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Crossing the floor" means to leave one's political party and join another, or in a more general sense, to vote against one's own party.
It originates in the British House of Commons where, as in the Canadian version, the government and opposition face each other and a member might physically cross the floor to join an opposing party. However, the term now applies to any political defection, now matter how the seats are arranged.
2007-10-29 03:51:59 · answer #2 · answered by Alex B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excepting in cases of political opportunism to get some personal benefit , floor crossing occurs when some one votes against the wish of his own party for a just cause. In fact such people are the real democrats.
2007-10-29 09:11:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Voting against party lines..If a Dem sides with the President on something, he would be "crossing the floor"..IT DOES NOT MEAN SWITCHING SIDES, IT CAN BE FOR A SINGLE VOTE..
2007-10-29 01:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by jvwatson4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep it means they vote against the wishes of their own party. Tends to only happen in the senate. It's a sign of a healthy democracy... doesn't happen that often though. Barnaby Joyce made a name for himself that way.
2007-10-30 04:47:28 · answer #5 · answered by splurkles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
switches from one party to the other
yes he is right below me, its more for votes , i should of explained better.
2007-10-29 01:29:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
switches from one party to go and join another party.
2007-10-29 02:09:04 · answer #7 · answered by LADY WITH AN ATTITUDE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋