It’s happened again. Third time in recent months. A Conservative Member of Parliament has crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the governing Liberals.

I have mixed feelings about floor crossings. I recognize the history. There’s a long tradition of MPs (and non-elected politicians) changing their mind on what party best represents them.

Donald Trump, after all, used to be a Democrat. Now he reviles them.

At the same time, I think if you campaign for one party, it does the voters a disservice to switch after the election. The Reform Party, which was active in Canada in the 1980s and 1990s, required candidates to commit to resigning their seats and running in a byelection if they wanted to switch parties. I like that idea.

Politicians who change parties are theoretically going to answer to the voters at some point. That’s who should hold them accountable.

I just think that accountability should be sooner as opposed to later. The Conservatives who have crossed the floor recently may not have to face the voters for another three years.

I expect two of them will retire from politics rather than face another election. So much for accountability.

I haven’t talked to any of the new Liberal MPs about their decision. Nor am I likely to – I don’t travel in their circles. Hanging out with politicians just isn’t my thing.

The self-righteous peals of anguish from Conservatives that have accompanied each floor crossing does seem a little hypocritical though. It wasn’t that many years ago that it was Liberals crossing the floor to join the Conservative government. Including one who switched before the House of Commons returned after the election.

Where was the outrage then?