Whips in Parliament, part 2
In the House of Commons, there's a big difference between a "free vote" and the "three line whip." Do your students understand how party unity is maintained while being flexible?Minister's threat as cardinal joins embryos row
"The government is facing a resignation from the cabinet if Gordon Brown refuses to allow Labour ministers to vote against contentious proposals to allow medical research on human-animal embryos.
"The Welsh secretary, Paul Murphy, is one of several Catholic senior government figures pressing the prime minister to allow all MPs a free vote on the human embryology and fertilisation bill later this spring...
"Pressed again on the issue at prime minister's questions, Brown indicated he would soften his stance by allowing MPs to "exercise their consciences". However, since this is a government bill, Labour members will only be allowed to abstain, while opposition parties will allow their MPs a free vote..."
See also:
- Brown criticised over embryo bill
"[Scottish] Cardinal Keith O'Brien... will also call on Gordon Brown to allow Labour MPs a free vote on the issue at Westminster..."
- Pressure mounts over embryo bill
"[Archbishop of Cardiff Peter Smith wrote] to the prime minister asking for Labour MPs to be released from the three-line whip that would force them to vote for the legislation - ministers who did not support a whipped vote would be expected to resign..." - Gordon Brown 'to respect MPs' conscience' for fertility vote
"Gordon Brown yesterday opened the door to a climbdown over proposed laws on fertility and embryo research.
"The Prime Minister said he would "respect the conscience" of every MP as he came under growing pressure to offer a free vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill." - Whips in Parliament
Labels: legislature, parties, political culture, UK
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:23 AM
1 Comments:
PM to allow free vote on parts of embryo bill
"Godon Brown today moved to avert damaging cabinet resignations over the fertilisation and embryology bill by offering MPs a free vote on the "ethical" aspects of the legislation.
"The prime minister said that he would respect the consciences of MPs when voting on stem-cell research..."
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