Rebel Tory in call to curb whips’ power

After voting in favour of a referendum on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union, and in defiance of a three-line whip, Simon Reevell says the electorate deserve better than the Government “stifling debate”.

On the day a new Parliamentary report accuses David Cameron of swelling the payroll vote by appointing extra Ministerial aides in a bid to head off Commons rebellions, Mr Reevell questions whether the repatriation of powers from Brussels to Westminster will work if backbenchers do not have greater freedoms.

The Dewsbury MP, writing exclusively in today’s Yorkshire Post, says he was appalled a three-line whip was imposed on the decision to deploy the RAF in Libya as part of an ultimately successful mission to depose Muammar Gaddafi.

Mr Reevell adds: “If the Government can’t convince Parliament of its case for war on a free vote, our troops should stay at home.”

In its report today, the Commons Public Administration Committee said there were too many ministers and aides, and “patronage” was being used to control MPs.

We must end Commons vote circus: Page 11.