The EDM was started by the official opposition but signing it is not a vote against the government, but I see what you mean. It could and will be seen by some be seen as supporting the opposition.

But as nearly 50,000 of us voters have signed up to the wording and sentiments of this EDM, any MP who does not sign for the reasons that he may be unpopular with the 'whips' does rather risk being unpopular with those whose vote they may soon badly need.

The EDM is just a device to raise the profile of an issue but the E petition has rather done this. So it is less important to have the amount of MP's names as was on the last one, but it is vital that we keep on informing them, not only of our concerns for the Bill but also of the risk they face if they are not seen to be reflecting this popular concern. They will wish to be seen as being on the winning side.

I like to think that whatever happens now, that in the future we are not going to allow the things we hold dear to be treated as badly as we have been prepared to let them be treated in the past.