Large Rebellion on Amendment to Terrorism Bill - 36 Labour MPs Vote Against Government

Government's Majority Collapses to 1

The Government's Terrorism Bill is collapsing under pressure from its own backbenchers. A Labour rebel amendment tabled by Bob Marshall-Andrews came within a whisker of defeating the Government. 36 Labour MPs (inclusive of 2 tellers) voted against the Government and an unspecified further number abstained.

John McDonnell MP, Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, said

“Such a show of widespread opposition shows that this Bill is now dead in its current form. This vote is a clear signal to the Lords to kill off the Bill and any subsequent attempt to remove our key civil liberties. The Government has now been forced into a position where it has no alternative but to accept substantial amendments.

“That a large majority of 66 should so completely disappear shows that the Government has utterly misjudged its own party. This vote is a lesson on how not to govern. You do not split the party by pushing people into positions they can not support.”

Bob Marshall-Andrews, the Labour MP leading on the issue, said

“This Bill is now completely untenable. The government should abandon it before they suffer any more damage.”

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