Cameron votes against party
It is the fourth time Mr Cameron has voted against his party
The Royal College of Midwives is the professional association and trade union representing 95 per cent of all the UK’s practising midwives. |  |
The controversial human fertilisation and embryology bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons last night. |  |
Gordon Brown has announced a compromise on the human fertilisation and embryology bill, after weeks of speculation over whether Labour MPs would be whipped into supporting the bill. |  |
Wednesday, 14, May 2008 12:00
David Cameron was in a minority in his own party yesterday when he voted for the human fertilisation and embryology bill, which was passed by 340 votes to 78.
It is the fourth time he has voted against his party – the previous three occasion concerned the abolition of blasphemy legislation, gay adoption and an 80 per cent elected House of Lords.
Analysts are interpreting the independence of Mr Cameron's voting record as a sign he his beginning to fulfil his desire to be a Blair figure to his party. Tony Blair was famous for picking fights with his own party, and sticking to a political line regardless of whether it was palatable to the rank and file.
The Conservative mostly stayed away from last night's second reading vote which, among other things, allows for hybrid embryos, despite the fact they were offered a free vote. The party voted 37 to 49 against