MP defies party bosses in standards reform vote
He accuses government of ‘moving goalposts’
HAZEL Grove MP William Wragg was one of just 13 Conservative MPs to defy the government and vote against a proposed review of disciplinary procedures that spares a party colleague from suspension.
Owen Paterson was found to be in ‘egregious’ breach of parliamentary rules after repeatedly lobbying ministers and officials on behalf of two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
The North Shropshire MP was facing a 30-day suspension from Parliament following a review of his actions by the Commons Standards Committee.
But the 65-year-old claimed he had not had a fair hearing and had been subject to a process that did ‘not comply with natural justice’.
Last Wednesday MPs voted by 248 to 221 in favour of an amendment to consider reforming the House of Commons standards system and prevent the immediate suspension of Mr Paterson.
In a screeching U-turn however, the government confirmed it would rethink its plans with Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg acknowledging changes to the system could not go ahead without cross-party support.
Mr Paterson later resigned as an MP.
However Mr Wragg had disobeyed a three-line whip - a strict instruction to back his party’s positionto vote against the proposal. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it had been ‘a vote of conscience’.
He said: “My fundamental problem with the amendment was that it mixed up an individual case with the system and reform.
“I agree that there should be reform of the system but I don’t agree with mixing that together with one particular case.
“And the moving of the goalposts on that one particular thing is my fundamental objection to it and I voted accordingly.”
Asked if he regarded it as a matter of conscience, Mr Wragg added: “Yes, and I will always take that approach and do my best to take that approach and vote in a way I feel comfortable and can justify to my constituents.”
Tory MP Angela Richardson was sacked as a ministerial aide following her decision to abstain on the vote – but was later reinstated as the government backtracked.
Mr Wragg said he was not unduly concerned over any potential detrimental impacts on his own Parliamentary career.
“Three line whips, you always try to follow them, but sometimes you don’t follow them – particularly if you disagree strongly on something for whatever that particular reason might be,” he said. “I’m happy being a backbencher representing my constituents and, when necessary, speaking out.”
All 248 ‘aye’ votes were from Conservative MPs bar those of independent Rob Roberts - who lost the Tory whip after he was found to have sexually harassed a staff member and the DUP’s Sammy Wilson.
Every Labour MP, as well as the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, voted against the move, while 13 Tory MPs voted against the government whip and 98 abstained from voting.
No vote was recorded for 98 Conservative MPs including four from Greater Manchester: Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Middleton, Mark Logan (Bolton North East), (Guildford), Mary Robinson (Cheadle), Wakeford (Bury South).
This this does not automatically mean an MP abstained, as they may have received permission to miss a vote or were taking part in a ‘pairing’ arrangement between government and opposition whips.