During a heated debate in the House of Commons, 59 Tory MPs voted against a controversial bill, causing a rift within the Conservative Party. Among them was Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who expressed her opposition due to concerns about its impact on businesses. This move put at least six members of the government payroll at odds with Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s proposal, with another cabinet minister abstaining.
In an effort to quell dissent among his own party, Sunak offered a free, un-whipped vote to allow his parliamentary troops to vote according to their conscience without fear of punishment. The opposition Labour Party, which is gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming election, supported the bill and ordered its MPs to vote in favor of it.
Despite the historic nature of the bill and Sunak’s efforts to placate his party, some former Tory leaders criticized the measure. Liz Truss, who served as prime minister for just over four months before being ousted by Boris Johnson last year, branded the bill “un-Conservative” and voted against it. She warned MPs about potential further restrictions by what she called “the health police.”
The intense division within the Conservative Party over this bill’s vote highlights the various factions and differing opinions within the party. While some MPs support Sunak’s plan for economic recovery after COVID-19, others are concerned about its impact on individual freedoms and civil liberties.