This content requires the Adobe Flash Player. Download Adobe Flash Player here.

Commons votes on Section 28


On Monday 10th March, MPs voted on an amendment by Edward Leigh MP to keep Section 28. The amendment was defeated.

MPs voted against keeping Section 28 by 368 votes to 77.

Edward Leigh's amendment was co-sponsored by Ann Widdecombe, Andrew Selous and Christopher Cope.

The Conservative Front Bench moved amendments which tied the repeal of Section 28 to a new procedure for consulting parents by ballot. The amendments also required the Secretary of State to publish a report every two years detailing the effect of repealing Section 28. MPs rejected these amendments by 356 votes to 127. The amendments were sketchy because parliamentary protocol does not permit detailed amendments to education law in a Local Government Bill.

The results of the votes were not a surprise. The real battle will be in the House of Lords.

Much can happen before the Local Government Bill becomes law.

You can see how MPs voted using the following links:

MPs who voted to keep Section 28

MPs who voted for the repeal of Section 28

You can also read the full debate by clicking here.



Top