News from the House of Commons

[dickieC]

217 MPs have just voted against the government over the war on Iraq. Largest backbench rebellion in history. That probably includes approximately 130 to 140 Labour backbenchers not supporting their government.

It may not sound like much, but to geeky political historians like me it's astounding.

[masterofNone]

That's democracy in action... a better showing than our wimpy Democrats that's for certain.

[RuneT]

Oh wow. So what consequences whil this give for Brittains stanse in the war?

Will it go down as a simple protest?

[lapietra]

I'm not understanding... CNN is showing an over 400 vote defeat of the opposition... is this something different?

[dickieC]

Yes, the vote on the motion itself (as opposed to the rebel amendment) was 412-149. That's still a lot of MPs voting against a 3-line whip (i.e. defying party discipline).

Apparently there were 139 rebels in the first vote. That's 1/3 of the parliamentary Labour party.

Rune: it won't affect anything. Troops are all breaking camp and moving to the Kuwait-Iraq border. But it is a big, big slap in the face for Tony Blair.

[Zyle]

That is pretty incredible. Kudos to them.