Proposed Terror Laws rejected

Link [bbc]

Im quite surprised really, all the muttering over the past few days seemed to suggest Blair was going to get this bill through. The Conservatives seemed to be split somewhat on this bill, but apparently they all voted, as one, against it.

Defeated by 31 votes, when your government has a 50+ majority, this will be tough for Blair to reconcile I feel.

Edit: vote for law with 28-day maximum instead of the 90-day, backed by 323 to 290.

[edit on 9-11-2005 by squarepusher]

Yeah took me by suprise as well considering that public opinion (or The Sun inspired support) seemed to favour the 90 day period for detention.I thought it would be pushed through but by a handful of votes rather than that amount.
I think the Tory Party as well will get some flak for not supporting this,so much for them being the hardline party on issues such as these.

Frankly I am glad.

I think the proposed 90 days was a daft idea.

28 days with the facility to have the courts extend the detention further (which is what I believe was passed as an amendment) sounds much more reasonable.

I do agree that this episode (amazingly the first Labour defeat in the HOC in all of their 8yrs+) will do far more harm to the tory party 'out in the country' than it will hurt the Labour party.

Glad its been rejected..

90 days borders on policies that the former Soviet Union used. I am worried that Blair is flirting with police state tatics.