There is a myth going around, especially on social media, that Labour MPs could have defeated the Government on the Bedroom Tax if only the 40-odd that were missing or abstained had turned out to vote. This is simply not true. If it was true, it would be one of the biggest acts of betrayal ever witnessed by any Parliamentary Labour Party, never mind this one. The truth is that, because of a an unofficial system called pairing (arranged by the whips), some MPs are excused from voting on the basis that their vote (in this case a yes to abolition of the Bedroom Tax) has been cancelled out by another non-attendee (usually from the opposite party) who was intending to vote the other way (in this case, no to abolition). So before we go on attack mode, understandable though it is, it is important that we establish which MPs had made that arrangement in place and which MPs genuinely abstained (i.e helping the government directly to defeat this motion). This seems to be the most up-to-date list of those Labour MPs who didnt vote for the motion: Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) Douglas Alexander (Paisley & Renfrewshire South) Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) Hugh Bayley (York Central) David Blunkett (Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough) Gordon Brown (Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath) Chris Bryant (Rhondda) Ann Coffey (Stockport) Huw Irranca Davies (Ogmore) Geraint Davies (Swansea West) Gloria Del Piero (Ashfield) Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton) Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) Brian Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) Frank Doran (Aberdeen North) Clive Efford (Eltham) Frank Field (Birkenhead) Paul Flynn (Newport West) Mike Gapes (Ilford South) David Hamilton (Midlothian) Margaret Hodge (Barking) George Howarth (Knowsley) Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley) Siân James (Swansea East) Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood) Gerald Kaufman (Manchester Gorton) David Lammy (Tottenham) Ian Lucas (Wrexham) Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) Alan Meale (Gateshead) Meg Munn (Sheffield Heeley) Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire) Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) Dawn Primarolo (Bristol South) Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) John Spellar (Warley) Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South) Chuka Umunna (Streatham) Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) Dave Watts (St Helens North) Alan Whitehead (Southampton Test) Shaun Woodward (St Helens South and Whiston) Maybe it would be an idea for Red Labour supporters to contact their MP if theyre on this list and just ask for clarification - for the sake of transparency. Of course, there is the issue of whether MPs should be allowed to pair, especially on an issue as important as this. How many of these MPs had genuine reasons not to be there? How many were ill and unable to get there? How many just didnt see it as a big enough issue to get to the House of Commons to voice their members and constituents opposition to the Bedroom Tax? These are all questions that should be asked if we are to have any accountability within the party. If you get a reply or have any updates, please comment below.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 10:16:43 +0000