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Labour rebellion on post offices slashes majority
Joe Murphy, Political Editor20 Mar 2008
Five senior London Labour MPs rebelled last night in a vote against the closure of post offices.
They were among 19 who joined the Conservatives to demand a halt to plans to shut more than 2,500 branches, slashing the Government's majority to 20.
The London rebels were Hendon's Andrew Dismore; Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey; Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington; Jeremy Corbyn, Islington North; and John McDonnell, MP for Hayes & Harlington. Luton North Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins also joined the rebels.
It is highly unusual for so many Labour backbenchers to support a Conservative motion. Shadow business minister Alan Duncan said after the vote that the "hunt was on" for Labour
MPs who had voted with the Government despite having campaigned against local closures affecting their constituencies.
HOW THEY VOTED
Voted with Government: Ann Keen (Brentford & Isleworth), Stephen Timms (East Ham), Joan Ruddock (Lewisham Deptford), Sadiq Khan (Tooting), Joan Ryan (Enfield North), Andrew Slaughter (Ealing Acton & Shepherd's Bush), Dawn Bulter (Brent South), Nick Raysnford (Greenwich & Woolwich), Emily Thornberry (Islington South & Finsbury), Andy Love (Edmonton), Martin Linton (Battersea), Jon Cruddas (Dagenham), Mike Gapes (Ilford South).
Did not vote: David Lammy, (Tottenham) Glenda Jackson, (Hampstead & Highgate)
