An impossible dream came true on Tuesday. 
The Government lost a division by one vote, 282 to 283. 
My vote! 

Until now I have joked about the possibility of one vote carrying the day but now on the vital vote to attach the House of Lords amendment to the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, it has actually happened. 
This will be as satisfying to the people who have written to me about this vote as it is to me! 

The Lords amendment included the vital paragraph that protected the right of freedom of expression. 
In the usual convoluted workings of the House of Commons, this was carried because the Government lost the motion to disagree with the House of Lords amendment. 

There were some notable and reluctant rebels on the Labour benches. Dr. Tony Wright MP for Cannock Chase who some years ago stood as a Labour candidate in the old Kidderminster constituency described himself as a very reluctant rebel. 
He praised the Lords amendment saying that this would enable the Government to fulfil their manifesto commitment but, if accepted...
        "we would have done it in a way that did not damage the traditions of free speech that are essential to our society". 
There were other powerful speeches from those of all parties who united to protect the right of free speech. 
John Grogan, MP for Selby in a moving contribution said 
          "As a Catholic, I simply say that free speech is the best defence of any religion. My religion has been persecuted and has also persecuted people. Free speech is the best defence."

In the next fortnight we will debate the Health Bill including the ban on smoking in all work places and in enclosed public places just as they have in Eire and are going to have in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 
A new poll shows that 70% of people in England now back the total ban and only 18% oppose it. The Government have avoided the chance of another defeat by giving a free vote to their Members as have the other parties already. I am still worried that a parliamentary procedural ploy may be used to exempt private membership clubs which would be opposed by the hotel and public house industry and, for example, by the Bingo Association. This would deny workers the health protection being given to everybody else and in the short term give advantage to these clubs over other establishments.

The White Paper on health care delivery in the community has been published. There are welcome emphases on health promotion and mental well being but I am worried that the shift of consultants and services from hospitals to primary care may threaten hospital A&E departments. During Health Questions the Health Secretary did not allay my fears. Disappointingly there is little information about the future of patient and public involvement in health so vital to us all.