British MPs approve May government’s first policy plans

In order to secure the confidence vote of the MPs, government ministers were forced into a major concession hours before the vote: agreeing to pay for women from Northern Ireland to travel to England for abortions.

May’s minority government had earlier announced it would change abortion rights for Northern Irish women ahead of a threatened revolt by MPs in a separate vote.

But the minority Conservative government squeezed through with the help of the 10 MPs from the DUP who have agreed to support them after getting £1 billion for Northern Ireland.

Therefore, depending on how one looks at it, this election can be a foregone conclusion for the Conservatives; alternatively, one can look back at Brexit and the USA elections and build a case for a chance of a huge upset!

On Wednesday, the government defeated the Labour Party’s amendment to scrap a pay cap for public sector workers by 14 votes. The proposal was opposed by 313 Tory MPs.

And Mrs May’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “The Government will respond later today”.

Two of the largest public sector unions have given their backing to an amendment tabled by Labour which calls for more funding for the emergency services and an end to the sector’s 1% pay cap.

Staying in the single market is not Labour policy and Mr Corbyn had ordered his MPs to abstain – but 50 rebelled.

Another Labour MP, Wes Streeting, told Radio 4’s World at One he was “surprised and disappointed” at Jeremy Corbyn’s position, as he did not believe the party could “achieve its objectives of tariff-free, barrier-free access to the single market and a jobs first Brexit, outside of membership of the single market”.

The votes also produced some awkward moments for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He noted the increased influence of Hammond and the Scottish Conservatives, who did well in the election and have also emphasised maintaining trade ties with the EU.

Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, he said their attempt to “divide Labour MPs a week and a half in” was “a little disappointing”.

Last week, key figures across local government and the health sector sharply criticised the Queen’s Speech for a lack of information around fundamental issues, such as devolution, business rates retention and social care reform. They have to pay around United States dollars 1200 for an abortion.

Daniel Zeichner, the MP for Cambridge and former shadow transport secretary, said it was clear that “any diversion from the published line” will no longer be tolerated by the party leadership.

“I believe we will have an announcement that is certain, is fair and does the equality job”.

Several Conservative legislators said they would support the amendment because it corrected a longstanding injustice, prompting the government’s scramble to change its policy.

“I received strong support for my position from my constituents, particularly young people voting for the first time and many others who voted Labour for the first time”. If you’ve already got five children, don’t conceive another one.

Another asked: “why did you vote against the manifesto?”

Sir Peter said women should not be prevented from having an abortion because they do not have enough money.

The rebels were denounced by Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison public service union, who said it was “totally inappropriate” for Labour MPs to create a split over Europe.