April 23, 2008
The Field rebellion gathers strength
Frank Field has now gathered 45 Labour names for his amendment to the finance bill - which would provide compensation to those hammered by the abolition of the 10p rate.
At this rate the rebel former minister looks increasingly likely to defeat the government.
This morning we wrongly wrote that - having claimed 39 names yesterday morning - the list was down to 31.
Simple explanation: Frank’s spokesman left a message on my phone last night with the wrong number. Today he apologised for confusing 31 (rebellion losing steam) with 41 (rebellion gathering steam). Ahem. We’ve all been there.
Gordon Brown is now under pressure to pull a more convincing rabbit out of his hat this week.
These are the MPs who joined the revolt overnight.
Kelvin Hopkins
Jim Hood
David Chaytor
Bob Marshall-Andrews
Rosemary McKenna
Hugh Bayley
Mark Durkan (SDLP)
