Cameron votes against party

David Cameron was in a minority in his own party yesterday when he voted for the human fertilisation and embryology bill, which was passed by 340 votes to 78.

It is the fourth time he has voted against his party – the previous three occasion concerned the abolition of blasphemy legislation, gay adoption and an 80 per cent elected House of Lords.

Analysts are interpreting the independence of Mr Cameron’s voting record as a sign he his beginning to fulfil his desire to be a Blair figure to his party. Tony Blair was famous for picking fights with his own party, and sticking to a political line regardless of whether it was palatable to the rank and file.

The Conservative mostly stayed away from last night’s second reading vote which, among other things, allows for hybrid embryos, despite the fact they were offered a free vote. The party voted 37 to 49 against