Chaos as Labour forces first Commons defeat on coalition
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
There were chaotic scenes in Westminster last night, after disciplined Labour MPs forced a surprise vote on the government, leading to the coalition's first Commons defeat.
Following six hours of debate on the British economy, Labour MPs took government whips and frontbenchers by surprise by sparking a division on an order paper motion.
George Osborne and Danny Alexander, who had spent several hours fielding a relentless series of attacks from shadow chancellor Ed Balls, lobbied Lib Dem and Tory MPs to back the motion, but to no avail.
Labour won the vote with a majority of 134, by 213 votes to 79.
The vote concerned the chancellor's autumn statement but it was non-binding.
Government whips branded the vote an "empty gesture", but Labour frontbenchers enjoyed their victory, calling on Mr Osborne to resign as a result of the vote.
In a point of order to Speaker John Bercow, deputy chief whip Alistair Carmichael said: "Is there any means by which the record tomorrow can record that the sort of meaningless gesture that we have just seen is as good as it gets?"
Mr Bercow replied: "The vote is what the vote is. It is not for me to interpret; people outside the House are free to do so as they wish."
Shadow Treasury minister Chris Leslie said: "Just 79 Conservative and Lib Dem MPs could be bothered turning up to vote in support of George Osborne's autumn statement.
"It's no wonder when last week we learned that David Cameron and George Osborne's failing economic policies are leading to slower growth, soaring unemployment and £158 billion more borrowing than planned."
Mr Osborne will appear in front of the Treasury committee today, where he is expected to come under attack again from Labour members.
