The Libertarian Party UK’s motion urging the Government to drop plans to nationalise British steel passed 47-42 giving it a majority of 5 in the House of Commons: Inflicting a major defeat on the Government. This will come as another blow to the Labour Party is dealt with Deputy Prime Minister Tommy1Boys coming out against the nationalisation plans of the Government despite voting against the motion due to CCR.

The motion passed with support of backbench Classical Liberal and Liberal Democrat MPs. 3 MPs from each party rebelled against the government whip including the current Chancellor of The Exchequer Duncs11 and veteran Liberal Democrat bloodycontrary. The Government would have already been expecting trouble with Liberal Democrat MPs supporting the LPUK’s motion in the debate debating Labour frontbenchers on the matter. The Telegraph asked former Prime Minister and heavyweight Liberal Democrat MP TheNoHeart, who rebelled and supported the motion, what he thought of the passage of the motion.

A satisfying decision by the House of Commons that speaks towards working with the government when they’re right and being open to tell them when they’re proposing ill-crafted solutions. TheNoHeart

There were several more abstentions on the government benches which helped the motion sail to victory.

For: 48



CON (27) LPUK (14) LD (3) CLIB (3)

Against: 42

LAB (26) CLIB (6) LD (4) CON(1) Other (5)

This represents a massive defeat for the Government and especially for the passionate advocates of the proposal in the Labour Party. This defeat alongside the Chief Secretary To the Treasury’s legislative agenda which is no doubt playing in many Classical Liberal MP’s minds as they vote whether to leave the Sunrise coalition with his recent Bill on the national grid being opposed by the Deputy Prime Minister. The passage of this motion will be a huge kick in the face for the government and may further fracture the Sunrise coalition as they decide how to reply to the motion.

The Telegraph spoke to the new Chancellor Duncs who said that “The Government recognises the vote cast in the House of Commons on the Steel Nationalisation motion.” and that “The Cabinet will now discuss the best way to proceed.” When pressed he was unable to rule out a nationalisation of British Steel and could not commit to the motions instructions but told the Telegraph the following

How the Government proceed from now will be discussed by the Cabinet and so I am unable to say with certainty what will be done now, although it is clear the vote had significance and I’m sure every political analyst will have the same view on what’s likely Duncs11, Chancellor of the Exchequer

There will likely be an internal debate between the Classical Liberals and Labour Party whether to follow this motion and this could be crucial in the future of the Sunrise coalition and how Classical Liberal MPs and ministers vote in the so called Clexit vote. Even if Labour wish to ignore the motion, the LPUK have released a press statement saying they will bring forward legally binding (primary) legislation to the House of Commons to prevent any nationalisation occurring and it’s possible this could secure Classical Liberal support if they leave the coalition. Whatever happens with British Steel, it will be an interesting few days ahead and this vote could prove to play a crucial factor in whether Sunrise survives or not.