Just had the following information through from Charlie Elphicke MP himself for inclusion on this thread.
Many thanks to Charlie
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Charlie said....
"The committee is not Labour dominated. It was a bill committee so membership is in line with party strengths and Government MPs are in the majority. As a bill committee for a Government bill, Government MPs are expected to vote with the Government - or else!
I moved an amendment for Dover Harbour Board to be included as a quango for reform to add to the toolbox at the Department of Transport and send a clear message about what the people of Dover want. I persuaded Labour, Plaid, a Lib Dem and a fellow Conservative to support me. This meant the vote was won by 11-8.
For those interested my speech can be found here:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/pbc/2010-11/Public_Bodies_Bill/07-0_2011-10-11a.4.0?s=speaker%3A24777#g4.24
This amendment was not approved of and was opposed by Ministers. It amounts to a successful rebellion - the first Government defeat of this Parliament. I don't see it that way as my speech makes clear. People often wonder if MPs will put their own constituency first when it really comes to the crunch. I feel that I have answered this question decisively.
We are still far from out of the woods. The Government could take the amendment back out again at the next stage. Or they could still just sell off the port. My hope is that the point has been made stongly enough that it will make the Government machine think harder. It's still a long road for us all - do not underestimate the degree of inertia in Government! I am and will continue to do all I can to get to kind of future we all want to see.
Charlie"
