Unprecedented Labour rebellion on third reading of Education Bill

Biggest revolt at third reading for Labour since 1924

59 Labour MPs voted against the Government on selection. 46 Labour MPs voted against third reading along with huge numbers of abstentions

John McDonnell MP, Chair of the SCG, said:

“This is a very significant rebellion. On a succession of votes tonight on this Bill the Government's majority has collapsed and it has only been pushed through because of Tory party support.

“We are alienating not just large numbers of Labour MPs, but wide sections of the party and our supporters, to whom our commitment to comprehensive education is absolutely central.

“The polls today have demonstrated that we are losing in vast swaths the very people who put us into power and who trusted us on education. The Government is in free-fall. This is the largest Labour rebellion at the third reading of a bill since Labour first came to power in 1924.

“The Labour Party was not elected to govern in coalition with the Tories. We need to rediscover a real Labour direction and fast.”

-ends-