The terrorism bill looks like securing an easy passage tonight after the shadow home secretary, David Davis, announced that the Conservatives would vote in favour of the second reading.
Mark Oaten confirmed the Liberal Democrats would vote against on the grounds that detaining terror suspects without charge for 90 days was a fundamental breach of human rights that his party had to take a strong stand against, but the chance of the government being defeated now appears very small.
Consequently, the number of Labour rebels will actually increase as MPs will feel free to vote with the consciences. To find out who the likely rebels are it is worth reading Philip Cowley and Mark Stuart's research paper (read it here (pdf)) which analyses previous rebellions on terror bills.
Charles Clarke is not out of the woods yet, though. The bill has to go to the Lords and, as they showed last night night in defeating the government on the religious hatred bill, peers are not in a compromising mood. It is here where Mr Clarke will have to compromise. Any bets on all sides agreeing to 60 days when the bill goes to the upper house?
