Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has decided that all of his MPs will have to vote against a Conservative motion to repeal the long gun registry, regardless of whether the individual MPs support the registry.

It reeks of a desperate attempt by the Liberal leader to force the legislation’s defeat. Instead of allowing a free vote on an issue like the long gun registry, Ignatieff has decreed that every one of his MPs has to show unwavering support for the registry.

It’s not a democratic approach. It’s the method of an autocrat or a dictator.

And while some ardent Liberals will defend Ignatieff’s decision, there are a lot of undecided voters and long-gun registry detractors out there who want to know the real reason that Ignatieff is imposing his will on his MPs.

This isn’t a debate on whether the long gun registry should be abolished. (I think it should be repealed, but many out there think it has a place). This is a criticism of Ignatieff’s decision to force his MPs to vote a certain way.

Long-time Souris-Moose Mountain residents will remember that Bernie Collins represented the constituency as a Liberal in Parliament from 1993 to 1997. And when the initial gun registry legislation was tabled during Collins’ term in Ottawa, he did the right thing, and voted according to the wishes of his constituents. Collins voted against the registry.

(Note: Collins was one of nine Liberal MPs to oppose the registry. He was the only dissident defeated in the 1997 federal election).

Western Canadians had many reasons to feel alienated during Jean Chretien’s 11 years as prime minister, but at least Chretien gave MPs the right to vote according to their conscience, and according to the wishes of their constituents, on the gun control issue.

So what will Ignatieff do to any dissidents? That’s hard to predict. But it’s upsetting that he would attempt this power play, particularly on an issue that is such an important one for people in Western Canada. It certainly won’t help the Liberals chances of gathering support in the west in the next federal election. And the Liberals will need a few seats in the west if they expect to form the next government.

Let the MPs make up their own minds. Let them do what they are supposed to do – represent the people and the needs of their constituency first, and represent their party second. If constituents support the long-gun registry, then an MP should support it. If constituents want to see the long-gun registry’s extinction, then their wish should be granted.