Labour’s Idea of a Free Vote

BBC On-Line reports that Gordon Brown is preparing to allow (Catholic) Labour M.Ps to vote against the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Good news?

Not really. The BBC cites a Government spokesman as saying “[t]he votes would be permitted only if they did not threaten the passage of the bill.”

In February, I watched a news report of the Russian Presidential election campaign. The election itself was still a few weeks off, but the reporter still said, “When Dmitry Medvedev is elected – it’s that kind of election – …”

Democracy under Gordon Brown looks like it is turning into that kind of democracy. Vote against me if you wish – just as long as I still win… Labour M.Ps cannot be pleased with this patronising and dictatorial stance. What Brown has done in respect of the Embryology Bill today, he may do in regards any other bill in the future. 

If they value their vote, Labour M.Ps should stand up to Mr Brown and tell him this: he may be the prime minister but he is still only first among equals and the servant of his people and the country.   

The HFE Bill: Some Responses

Further to yesterday’s post on the Government’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, I note that Holy Smoke and CentreRight both have posts on the subject. The CentreRight article is of particular interest as it is written by Louise Bagshawe, a Catholic and prospective (Conservative) parliamentary candidate. She notes that the Tories do not whip conscience votes – what the Labour leadership is attempting to do with its Catholic M.Ps. I am glad that that is so. Given that neither Conservative or Labour Party hold policies that can be completely acceptable to Catholics, it could be the difference between choosing to vote or giving up altogether on the whole wasteful process.