So they naturally gravitate to the camp of the leader who can provide the most largesse, often abandoning their party in the process.

ECONOMIST: The Philippines

In opposition he insisted on abandoning the Labour Party's commitment to restoring the earnings link for raising the basic state pension, ditched by Margaret Thatcher to save money.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Last year, the former television commentator and former aide to presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan split with Republicans after accusing the party of abandoning social conservatives.

CNN: fyi.com - Election 2000