Charlotte
01-02-06, 05:13 PM
The Prime Minister has vowed to push on with his reform agenda after last night's shock double defeat on plans to combat religious hatred.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/02/01/ublair.jpgBlair: I'll turn up next timeMr Blair dismissed accusations by David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, that he would not be able to carry the Government's agenda through Parliament.
Mr Cameron said: "Following the two defeats in the House last night, what confidence can the country have that you will be able to carry your agenda."
The Government lost two key votes on their plans to combat religious hatred last night. In the second, in which the Prime Minister himself did not vote, the administration lost by just one vote.
Mr Blair laughed before replying to Mr Cameron: "Put it like this, I think for the education vote it's probably a good idea if I turn up!"
He went on: "We will carry through the programme of change and reform - in particular in relation to schools, welfare and anti- social behaviour and crime - because we believe it is the right agenda for the country.
He insisted it was the "right agenda for the country" and accused Mr Cameron of changing his policies and "dithering" on key issues.
Mr Cameron taunted Labour chief whip Hilary Armstrong over her role in last night's debacle for the Government.
And there was further embarrassment for ministers as Speaker Michael Martin interrupted question time to rebuke another Labour whip for "shouting" across the chamber.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/01/upmq.xml&sSheet=/portal/2006/02/01/ixportaltop.html)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/02/01/ublair.jpgBlair: I'll turn up next timeMr Blair dismissed accusations by David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, that he would not be able to carry the Government's agenda through Parliament.
Mr Cameron said: "Following the two defeats in the House last night, what confidence can the country have that you will be able to carry your agenda."
The Government lost two key votes on their plans to combat religious hatred last night. In the second, in which the Prime Minister himself did not vote, the administration lost by just one vote.
Mr Blair laughed before replying to Mr Cameron: "Put it like this, I think for the education vote it's probably a good idea if I turn up!"
He went on: "We will carry through the programme of change and reform - in particular in relation to schools, welfare and anti- social behaviour and crime - because we believe it is the right agenda for the country.
He insisted it was the "right agenda for the country" and accused Mr Cameron of changing his policies and "dithering" on key issues.
Mr Cameron taunted Labour chief whip Hilary Armstrong over her role in last night's debacle for the Government.
And there was further embarrassment for ministers as Speaker Michael Martin interrupted question time to rebuke another Labour whip for "shouting" across the chamber.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/01/upmq.xml&sSheet=/portal/2006/02/01/ixportaltop.html)