Tories "attempt to block Schools Bill with Inquiry amendment"

[noblegiraffe]

I don't understand what happened in Parliament yesterday, I've seen that the Tories put forward an amendment to the Schools Bill to try to force an inquiry into the grooming gangs and that this was an "attempt to block the Schools Bill".

Why were they adding an inquiry to the Schools Bill and not just presenting it as a separate vote? Was it just politicking? I know they're not happy with the Schools Bill.
Why would voting for the inquiry block the bill?

I've seen Tories claiming that Labour 'blocked an inquiry because they support grooming gangs' and I've seen Labour claiming that the Tories tried to 'block a bill that would protect and feed children'. The whole thing seems pretty grim, can anyone explain?

The bill is needed and should have cross party support.

I too do not understand why, even if the Tory amendment was passed, it would endanger the whole enterprise.

Afaik the Tories dislike the parts of the new bill that regulate Academies further as they see them as one of their legacies.

Why were they adding an inquiry to the Schools Bill and not just presenting it as a separate vote?

I'm far from an expert. But they can't just propose a new vote on an inquiry can they? They aren't the government and don't control the schedule like that? So they've lumped it in with something related to children

They can on Opposition Days I think? Not sure when those are though.

They can on Opposition Days I think? Not sure when those are though.

That's true, but I don't think those votes are binding? Obviously a symbolic vote would still make a point though. I guess they also wanted to do something while it was still in the headlines.

What's happening is that after 15 years in government the Conservatives have decided that everything that's wrong is 100% the fault of Labour's 6 months in government. They are hoping that people will magically forget their enormous efforts in the cause of making the UK feel like a third world country.

I think even if it wasn't a binding vote, if parliament voted for it, it would then happen.

I'm pretty appalled if the Tories made the inquiry vote something that Labour would have to be whipped to vote against (to get their bill through) knowing that anyone who voted against the inquiry would immediately have their name put on social media with 'supports grooming gangs' put against it with the immediate deluge of abuse and crap and potential endangerment that would bring.

But I don't understand how the amendment would block the bill.

The depressingly amazing thing is it seems to be working 🙈

Just saw this on twitter, I really don't think it's helpful to be having this sort of level of discourse from our politicians, particularly in the current climate.

Because how do you then argue against this sort of thing?