Government faces backbench revolt over policy that lets parents smack their children

Rebel cause: A group of Labour backbenchers are going against party policy in their bid to outlaw the smacking of children The Government is facing a backbench rebellion over its policy on allowing parents to smack their children. Several Labour MPs have signed a cross-party amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill that would outlaw the practice by giving youngsters the same protection against assault as adults. But the Government is against the ban and has imposed a whip on the change, while MPs from other parties will enjoy a free vote. The amendment, led by Labour's Kevin Barron, calls for 'the common law rules permitting the use of force for the purpose of punishing a child' to be abolished. MPs last voted on the issue in 2004, when 47 Labour members rebelled and voted unsuccessfully for a ban. On that occasion,... [read full story]