NOTE: The Blasphemy Laws were repealed by s.79 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which came into force in July 2008.
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In a nutshell
A vote on whether to abolish the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel.
The details
On the 7th February 2005, during the Report Stage of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, the House of Commons voted on an amendment by Dr Evan Harris MP to abolish the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel.
MPs voted against abolishing the offence by 82 votes to 341.
The Labour Party whipped its MPs to support keeping the blasphemy laws. Conservative MPs had liberty to vote according to their conscience. The Liberal Democrat Party whipping position is unknown. One Liberal Democrat MP (Mike Hancock) voted to keep the blasphemy laws; 25 Lib Dem MPs voted to abolish the blasphemy laws.
How we recorded the vote
Voted for abolishing the blasphemy laws
Abstained deliberately on the vote for abolishing the blasphemy law
Voted against abolishing the blasphemy laws
Abstained or was absent on the vote for abolishing the blasphemy laws
