Dual mandate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A dual mandate is a term used for a person who has been elected to two different bodies with different competencies, for example being a member of both a national legislature, and of a local authority.

[edit] Ireland/UK

In the Republic of Ireland, the dual mandate was recently abolished by the Local Government Act 2001[1]. As part of the proposed reform in Northern Ireland, it has been suggested that the dual mandate be abolished in the United Kingdom also.

In the United Kingdom there are currently a few members of the European Parliament who are also members of the House of Lords. This is to end with the 2009 elections. [2]

[edit] Colonialist Africa

In early 20^th century Africa, a dual mandate stemmed from a doctrine that a colonial power had a double responsibility, on the one hand to the colonial peoples under its rule and on the other hand to the outside world. To the colonial peoples it owed material and moral advancement leading ultimately to self-government. To the outside world it had the obligation to see that the natural resources of its colonies were developed and that they found their way on to the world market.