TORY rebels are threatening to throw the government’s legislative agenda into chaos unless they get a vote on who can determine genocide.
In a bizarre parliamentary row Tory rebels are planning on inserting amendments on China’s treatment of Uighur muslims into dozens of bills after Ministers bundled the rebels clauses in with Labour’s changes to trade laws.
The rebel’s amendment would allow British courts to declare a genocide and force the government into action by withdrawing from trade agreements.
But they were blocked from voting on it – over fears they rebels would overthrow the government’s massive 80 seat majority.
But the move enraged the rebels, with a source telling Trending In The News: “By our count there are a dozen Bills left this session that could play host to a China amendment.
“If the Chief Whip thinks he’s clever now, wait until he has to tell the Queen that the new session of Parliament is delayed because he declared war on his backbenchers.”
Last night the government amendment – which was a compromise handing select committees to report raising genocide concerns – narrowly passes 318 to 303 – cutting Boris Johnson’s majority to 15.
One of the rebels, Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned that Parliament had gone “into the dark corridors of procedural purdah” during a debate this evening.
He even referenced the viral Handforth Parish Council video saying: “It reminds me, this little dispute’s a little bit like Handforth Parish Council and it’s always a good idea to read the standing orders. I read them and it told me what happened, the Government deliberately has blocked this.”
He added: “Today should have been a chance to stand tall, to send a signal to those who are without hope all over the world, whether it’s the Uighurs or the Rohingya.
“Instead of a beacon of light and hope, today what we have done is go into the dark corridors of procedural purdah and we need to emerge.”
Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry suggested that future generations will wonder why “procedural parliamentary games” are being played on an issue as serious as genocide.
Lord Alton – who introduced the genocide amendment in the Lords said he was going to preparing to re-introduce it “to enable the elected House to have the opportunity to vote on a fundamental issue.”
He added: “Denying them that right makes a mockery of democracy.”
