Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Keir Starmer was embarrassed by an ambush in the Commons when the Conservatives forced a vote on a routine Liberal Democrat motion in favour of proportional representation. 

The motion was carried by 138 votes to 136, with more than half of MPs not voting. The Lib Dems voted for, the Tories voted against and Labour were split; but more Labour MPs voted in favour, 59, than against, 50.

The motion paves the way for a bill "to introduce a system of PR for parliamentary elections", but it will go no further. Today's vote was a piece of mischief designed to draw attention to Labour's divisions: Labour Party conference has voted in favour of PR; Starmer, who 18 months ago said he had a "longstanding view against" it, ignored it. 

Community note: a change to the first-past-the-post system was rejected by a 68 per cent vote in a referendum in 2011; anyone who thinks that a proportional system would fare any better will believe what they want to believe. 

Written by John Rentoul

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Tomorrow inside the Westminster bubble

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After facing Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions at noon, Kemi Badenoch will use an opposition day debate to force a Commons vote on the new inheritance tax regime for farmers. Nice idea in theory, as some Labour MPs in rural seats are jittery. But less so in practice, as MPs hardly ever vote for motions proposed by the other side.

Before that, MPs will start at 11.30am with questions on Scotland, on the day the Scottish government unveils its budget, including its plan to bring in a winter fuel allowance.  

Starmer will host Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, during his state visit.

Cat Little, the Cabinet Office's permanent secretary, will be questioned about its priorities by the public administration select committee at 10am. Georgia Gould, the Cabinet Office minister, will speak at the launch of a report on public sector reform by the Demos think tank at 10.15am. Mark Sedwill, the former cabinet secretary, will appear before the Lords constitution committee at 10.15am. Lucy Powell, the Commons leader, will be quizzed by the procedure committee at 3.15pm. 

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, will announce funding for pupils with special educational needs.

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

"A substantial minority of the group do not support our approach, despite it being the only viable strategy available"

Andrew RT Davies, outgoing leader of Welsh Conservatives

Quiz answer: Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George HW Bush and Joe Biden 

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