Press release from the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs
Almost half the PLP go missing for key vote on rail ...
Approximately 30 Labour MPs vote against the Government on the issue of public ownership of rail franchises ... as predicted, huge numbers of Labour MPs simply would not turn up to vote for the Government and against their own party's policy
Less than half the PLP were actually prepared to vote for the Government and against a rebel amendment demanding that there should at least be an independent assessment before any rail passenger service is re-franchised.
John McDonnell, Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group, said; "The Government is rocking on the basis of its inability to count on the support of the majority of the PLP."
"Labour MPs have voted with their feet in terms of numbers refusing to support the Government's blinkered privatisation agenda on rail. There must be deep seated concern in Government at the new methods backbenchers are using - this sort of sick note rebellion looks set to grow."
"There is simply no way that the majority of Labour MPs wish to be seen backing such a deeply unpopular policy. What reason is there not to hold an independent value for money assessment before re-franchising a rail passenger service, apart from a fixation with privatisation at all costs."
Voting Figures on Rebel Amendment No 17:
For: 49 (+2 tellers) / Against: 208 (+2 tellers)
No guts
It's good to see weakness in support for Blair even from his Parliamentary colleagues. But I think we should be more critical of the 'stay aways'.
They may not have been to prepared to vote with the Government - but they also lacked the guts to turn up and vote for renationalisation ie. for their own party policy, the labour movement's policy, and the overwhelming view of their constituents.
And if MPs worked under the same punitive rules for non-attendance that rail workers do, they would think twice before skiving off!