During his 9 years as Tottenham's MP, David Lammy has acquired the reputation of being a New Labour 'Yes Man'. So it came as no surprise that he voted for Gordon Brown's shameful policy to limit the settlement and pension rights of the Ghurkhas. Hornsey & Wood Green's Lynne Featherstone, in contrast, followed her party's 3-line whip in backing the Ghurkhas. An alliance of MPs from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and minor parties inflicted the first government defeat since Gordon Brown became Prime Minister.

Sean Sullivan, the Conservative candidate for Tottenham commented today: "David Lammy has betrayed the Ghurkhas. These are brave, decent people who have fought and died for this country. Lammy is just one of Gordon Brown's lapdogs. He is an embarrassment to Tottenham. He puts his career before doing the right thing, even though that meant ignoring the views of most of his constituents. He must be kicked out next time round. It's time for change here in Tottenham. We need an MP who listens to the people who put him in Parliament".

Richard Merrin, the Conservative challenger for Hornsey and Wood Green, congratulated Ms. Featherstone for siding with the Ghurkhas. "She did the right thing on this occasion. I'm glad the Lib Dems and Conservatives were able to cooperate on this issue , and I look forward to our MPs combining as often as possible to defeat this arrogant, cruel, incompetent and out-of-touch Labour government''

ENDs.