There have been angry mutterings from the backbenches today about the passage of the Justice and Security Bill last night, with allegations of cunning play by the whips. It appears that the start of yesterday evening’s discussions was mysteriously delayed until 6.15pm and Closed Material Proceedings (secret courts) were debated at around 7pm. The first vote took place at 9.20, several hours after it was originally expected and very late in the day.
The whips were enormously active in the face of last minute amendments to derail ‘secret couts’: several peers were bussed in to bolster the government and at least one ermine-clad creature was plucked from abroad to answer the division bell. And that is not all. 007 and the queen renewed their partnership: Politics Home reported earlier today that special screenings of Skyfall and The Queen were arranged at 7.30pm to keep peers on-site to vote later in the evening.
This strong-armed chicanery follows a pattern.
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