Embryo Debate : Independents want Free Vote

Every MP, including government ministers, should be free to vote according to their conscience, says Revd Dr Geraint Tudur, General Secretary of the Welsh Union of Independent Churches.

"Freedom of conscience is a cornerstone of the Christian tradition ," said Dr Tudur. "In view of the threat that Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy [pictured] and others may have to resign if they follow their conscience and vote against the Bill, my Union calls on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to allow a free vote on the issue."

"For a political party to insist that individual members should vote against their own conscience is reprehensible" said Dr Tudur. "It undermines human rights and dignity, and, indeed, democracy itself. That's why the vote should be a free one."

It's reported that Prime Minister Gordon Brown may change his mind and allow Labour members to vote according to their consciences - but only if the government is sure of winning the vote. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have already given their members a free vote on the more controversial parts of the Bill.

Footnote: The Bill includes measures allowing the creation of human-animal hybrids for the purpose of medical research. The government says it will will bring medical benefits to many people in the UK. Many medical charities agree. But other have called it "an experiments of Frankenstein proportion."