This statement has just been released by CCHQ:
"Commenting after the House of Lords voted by a majority of 227 - 166 to insist on Tony Blair’s controversial ID pass scheme being voluntary - as Labour’s Manifesto said it would be - Conservative Spokesman Lady Anelay said:
“The issue could not be simpler. Should any Briton wanting to pop over to Calais or go on holiday in Spain be compelled to buy a card they do not want, or, should they be able to join that system if they want to? The Government want to limit that freedom. We say ID cards should be voluntary.”
Conservative Leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, added:
“There is no constitutional issue here. The Lords are closer to Labour’s Manifesto than the Government Bill. The Government now admit their Manifesto was economical with the truth – deceit of that kind cannot bind Parliament. The Lords’ amendment allows the Government to go ahead with biometric passports and it lets them set up a voluntary ID card scheme they said they would.
“The Government should now look for compromise and go forward with the voluntary scheme they promised. The issues of personal freedom involved are too important to be foisted on the public by half truths and deception.”"
RELATED LINK: David Davis leads charge against ID cards.
Excellant news. It was an even bigger defeat than the last time the ammendments were passed. Both the Conservatives and Lib Dem's must hold firm on this issue.
Posted by: Richard Allen | March 06, 2006 at 18:15
Fantastic news. Brilliant result!
Posted by: James Maskell | March 06, 2006 at 18:22
This is goods news, but I'm worried that if this cycle continues the Parliament Act will be forced through...
Posted by: Jaz | March 06, 2006 at 18:36
great news, the best thing ive heard all day!
Posted by: spagbob | March 06, 2006 at 18:43
How long can the government go on losing votes???
Posted by: Frank Young | March 06, 2006 at 22:32
HERE HERE
Posted by: jphewitt | March 06, 2006 at 22:59
"How long can the government go on losing votes???"
Losing votes in the Lords does not undermine the government in the way that a defeat in the Commons does. The government can be defeated in the Lords at any time if both the Conservatives and Lib Dem's wish to do so.
Posted by: Richard Allen | March 06, 2006 at 23:53
This, and indeed any other parliamentary vote, could though be rendered meaningless if the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill passes. It will allow ministers simply to amend the Bill to make the cards compulsory. We shouldn't get carried away with each result in the current ping-pong process.
Posted by: Martin Smith | March 07, 2006 at 11:16
Great News, it at least delays the introduction of Citizens Licences.
As Martin Says however, The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill could allow them to bypass parliament to pass this kind of law.
Posted by: Serf | March 07, 2006 at 14:50