Shirley Williams has joined her party's Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes, and its President and still odds-on favourite for next Leader, Tim Farron, in refusing to support the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill and in explicitly rejecting the whole concept rather than only the specific provisions of this proposed legislation, bad though those are in themselves.
It is worth pointing out that of the two Labour MPs whose constituencies now cover parts of Williams's former seat of Crosby, one abstained at Second Reading and voted in favour at Third Reading under the usual neo-Blairite pressure in such cases, while the other has opposed this Bill every step of the way. I say again, both Labour.
And whatever the Lords ends up approving, if it does, still has to make its way back down to the Commons again. There to encounter Simon Hughes, Tim Farron, Bill Esterson and everyone else who will then be confronted with the reality that has never been lost on Joe Benton: that if they do not stop this now, then it might actually happen, so that mere abstention will not do, and so that activists who already wanted rid of them for other reasons, but who have chosen to seize on this as an excuse, need to be faced down.
But before the thing is ever sent back down the corridor, if it ever is, Shirley Williams's preferred amendment has not been adopted. She should vote against Third Reading. She is not the only one. In all parties and none. There is still all to play for.
"the reality that if they do not stop this now, then it might actually happen"
ReplyDeleteBut David, haven't you been saying for months that there's no possibility it could ever happen?
No, I have been saying that it was unlikely, and that it was perfectly simple to prevent.
ReplyDeleteThe first remains truer than most people think. The second remains as true as ever.
The return of the Bill to the Commons, if the Lords gives it Third reading, really will be the last hope. But that hope remains.
If they'd listened to you.
ReplyDeleteBill Esterton MP supported the Bill. He was unable to attend on the night of the first vote.
ReplyDeleteJoe Benton's constituency party executive unanimously expressed their disagreement for his stance.
I actually live in Crosby.
It didn't change Joe Benton's mind, though. Or his vote.
ReplyDelete"Unable to attend the first one"? Funny how they all have exactly the same line.
In Bill Esterson's case it happens to be true (because he told me personally)....he told enough people who asked him how he would vote and he did so on the first opportunity he could.
ReplyDeleteNo, Joe Benton is one of the small number of out-of-touch dinosaurs on the Labour benches, who really should retire. Still, they are a small number.
Oh, and did you know that Ed Miliband wrote to EVERY Labour MP explaining that whilst it was a free vote, he would be voting in favour, and he hoped every Labour MP would do the same?
Most of those who didn't are on their way out or are perennial backbenchers, but I think the careers of some might be rather stymied by their stance on this issue, which is pretty much basic equality to most socialists.
Yes, of course I knew that. I don't see what your point is.
ReplyDeleteEsterson would tell you that, wouldn't he?
Do you expect Gavin Shuker to retire any time soon? He is 31. And still a Shadow Minister after all of this.
But I know that was the case regarding Bill Esterson . That's because I know him and speak to him regularly.
ReplyDelete