| Blair’s first major defeat: fails to pass tougher terror laws |
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The House of Commons yesterday saw what is considered the first important defeat for Tony Blair’s premiership. His proposal to increase detention period for terror suspects to 90 days without charge got lawmakers voting 322-291 against it. Those voting against the proposal included 49 members of Mr Blair’s own party.
Home secretary Charles Clarke said the defeat was a one-off, while the opposition said Mr Blair was losing control over his party. He ought to “consider his position”, said Michael Howard, the Conservatives party leader.
Mr Blair was desperately trying to assess the implications of the negative vote, discussing with police and security services. He also called the opposition members “deeply irresponsible” for ignoring the police’s advice on steps needed to counter the terrorist threat Britain faces.
Meanwhile Mr Clarke protested to the charge that Mr Blair had urged him to press for the 90 day detention against his will. He also believed that Mr Blair would be able to get the House to approve the Terrorism Bill despite the rebellion from his party.
Mr Clarke explained to the media the causes for yesterday’s defeat. Many lawmakers voted against it fearing it would raise the civil liberties issue. Most of the opposition had voted without respect for the issue, while “serial rebels” within Mr Blair’s party (referring to those who voted for a 28 days compromise) had simply tipped the scales. He regretted it and accepted personal responsibility for failing to persuade the MPs to vote in favour of the government proposal, a “position that I thought was right” he said.
The government and the police had been pressing to extend the detention period without charge to 90 days. A majority of 323-290 voted for just 28 days, one third of what the government wanted.
The only other major defeat for Mr Blair has so far been another negative vote last week also on the Terrorism Bill. However, yesterday’s rebellion of 49 party members hardly compares with the one Mr Blair faced on the issues of university top-up fees last year and foundation hospitals the previous year.
Posted
on : Fri, 11 Nov 2005 01:35 GMT | Politics News
By : Pippa Fielding
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