Blair loses key terror vote

[MIKE BURN]

Democracy in the U.K. prevails incl. the personal rights of the people.

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(CNN) Wednesday, November 9, 2005 Posted: 1831 GMT (0231 HKT)



LONDON, England -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has lost a crucial parliamentary vote on controversial new anti-terrorism legislation that would have allowed terrorist suspects to be held without charge for up to 90 days.



The defeat by 322 to 291 in the House of Commons on Wednesday was the first major defeat of Blair's eight-year premiership and was seen as a blow to his authority.



Lawmakers later passed an amendment that doubled the length of time that terrorism suspects could be held from 14 days to 28 days.



Opposition to the 90-day plan was intense and at least 41 of Blair's own Labour Party lawmakers rebelled. Defeat was a humiliating blow to the prime minister, and CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said it raised serious questions about his grip on power.



Opposition leader Michael Howard said Blair should now consider resigning as prime minister.



Howard, leader of the Conservative Party, said Blair's authority was "diminished almost to vanishing point. This vote shows he is no longer able to carry his own party with him. He must now consider his position."



The terrorism bill was drafted in the wake of the July 7 suicide bombings on London's transport system that killed 52 commuters and the four suspected bombers, and the failed attacks two weeks later.



Designed to tackle Muslim extremism, the bill aimed to outlaw training in terrorist camps, encouraging acts of violence and glorifying terrorism.



Many lawmakers feared a glorification clause could criminalize people supporting independence movements around the world.

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