[CCS]

Those who aren't certain why a ban on waka jumping is bad (and anti-democratic) should think not just about the formation of the Green Party but also the Maori Party. Turiana Turia left Labour over differences over the Seabed and Foreshore Bill. Because a waka jumping ban was in place at the time, she had to quit parliament and a by-election was held (at cost to the taxpayer) to vote on her now empty Maori electorate seat. She was voted back in and from this, the Maori Party was born. But consider what would have happened if she hadn't been voted back in. No Maori Party, and a parliament less representative of voters (the point of MMP is to be more representative of voters). No party representing the voice of Maori people (Labour does a shit job of representing Maori).

Turia took the risk of not being returned to Parliament because she believed strongly enough in her position that she left the Labour Party. Not every politician would have the courage of conviction to do such a thing and therefore would not be willing to disagree with their party leaders, lest they lose their job.

Why is this anti-democratic? Because an electorate MP is voted in not just because of the party they belong to, but also because they are representing the community in that electorate. If the party leaders take a position on something that works against that community, then the MP can do little to oppose it. That's bad for that electorate.