The 42-day detention without charge

Yesterday Gordon Brown scraped through his 42-day detention without charge project, when the House of Commons voted with a majority of only nine votes, corresponding to ç last minute votes from Ulster Unionists. Labour's majority of 66 was therefore wiped out in the biggest parliamentary rebellion since GB became Prime Minister. Still, he will have been relieved that after a lot of arm-twisting and concessions to Labour MPs he won the vote, as a defeat would probably have meant the end of his premiership. But his obstinacy on the subject will have done nothing to restore his authority in the party and the country at large. And the fight will go on in the House of Lords, where Labour has no majority and where strong opposition is expected. The Conservatives have also pledged to abolish the legislation if they get back to power. See the article in the Guardian.