What is the role of Independent Members of Parliament? Independent Members of Parliament are those who do not belong to a political party. Their role in the Parliament is to represent their electorate and secure the best results for that electorate from the government of the day. Independent Members of Parliament are sometimes in a position to hold the balance of power when a vote is taken in the parliament. The government will try to negotiate with the Independent member or members to ensure their support for a bill. It has traditionally been difficult for an Independent to gain election to parliament without the support of a political party or group. Some Independents have previously been party representatives who have resigned from their party. Following the 1999 State election in Victoria, neither major party had a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly. Only after protracted discussions with the three Independent Members of Parliament, could a government be formed by the Australian Labor Party when the Independents agreed to give limited support to the A.L.P. under the leadership of Steve Bracks.