Judith Collins MP National Party Clevedon MP

04 July 2003

Still no conscience vote for Labour

National Party MP Judith Collins is appalled that Labour, the Greens, and the Progressive Coalition have decided to vote along party lines for the controversial smoke-free law changes.

"I believe this now proves that there is only one opinion in Government, and it's that of Helen Clark.

"For the second time in a little more than a week I have questioned the role of Helen Clark in the supposedly democratic decision-making process," Miss Collins says.

"Just last week, Labour's Ashraf Choudhary shocked his Muslim supporters by allowing the prostitution law changes to become law.

"That was promptly followed by rumours that he'd been pressured by the ninth floor," Miss Collins says.

"With the smoking ban, Labour's done away with any pretence of a conscience vote, essentially denying lower ranked MPs their democratic rights.

"It would seem obvious that any Labour MP who wants a better place in the list would not want to break ranks with their boss, the Prime Minister.

"Smoking has always been a conscience issue, the importance of this ban to the social fabric of our country should not be underestimated," says Miss Collins.

"National Party MPs are rightly being granted the freedom to vote with their heads and hearts because that's what democracy is all about.

"It's not the first time the Labour Government has used its friends in the loony left to ram through politically correct laws, and it is unlikely to be the last," Miss Collins says.

Ends

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