That some Tory MPs wouldn’t like the idea of Michael Gove scrapping the Human Rights Act has been known for some time, but there is something else worth keeping an eye out for in the next few weeks as the Tories draw up their proposals. Some Conservatives, like Dominic Grieve, have long been opposed to this sort of reform. But many others are waiting to see the detail before they react – and are still minded to rebel on the legislation.
Depending on what Gove and his team produce, they could find themselves with a group of rebels considerably larger than the majority of 12 the government has, who will enjoy the support of Labour and the SNP (oh, and the Lib Dems, but they won’t be necessary, really, will they?) in blocking the legislation. Some of those who are watching and waiting are considerably well-organised and could, if needs be, very quickly set up a rebel whipping operation for the government to suffer a defeat very quickly on a flagship reform. Given the size of the majority, that whipping operation wouldn’t even need to be a very good one to succeed, but a resounding defeat is always more dramatic and pointed.
On other matters, even though Tory MPs are still very happy about the fact they’re in majority government, I spot a number of backbenchers who feel rather powerful all of a sudden. They’ve realised that they can extract a lot from the government in return for their support at key votes, and are already plotting the barrels of pork for their constituencies that they will demand.
With this in mind, it is surely no coincidence that David Cameron’s PPS Gavin Williamson held a meeting with the DUP’s Nigel Dodds yesterday. Dodds might be feeling robbed of his chance to extract a very large number of expensive concessions for Northern Ireland in the coalition negotiations that never happened, but there will be times when the Tories need to call upon his party to get things through.
Comments