Ealing Central and Acton representative Rupa Huq has revealed why she was the only MP to actively abstain in a Parliamentary vote on Trident.
On Monday (July 18) a total of 472 MPs voted in favour of renewing the UK's Trident nuclear weapons defences with a majority of 355, after 117 voted against.
A total of 41 Labour MPs abstained, but Labour MP Rupa Huq was the only MP who actively abstained, by turning out to vote but marking both the aye and no options.
Dr Huq told getwestlondon that her decision was in protest at what she believed was a plot by the Conservative government to call the vote to highlight current Labour divisions.
She said: " There was a strong feeling that the Trident vote was held solely to highlight divisions in the Labour party.
"It was not needed as a decision was taken years ago, and certainly not necessary to have it at this time.
"So a number of Labour MPs abstained to try and avoid falling for the Tory trap. Mine was active abstention, I didn't just not turn up as implied."
How did other west London MPs vote?
FOR
Labour Feltham and Heston MP Seema Malhorta : FOR
Conservative Harrow East MP Bob Blackman : FOR
Labour Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas : FOR
Labour Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter : FOR
Conservative Kensington MP Victoria Borwick : FOR
Conservative Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands : FOR
Conservative Uxbridge and Ruislip MP Boris Johnson : FOR
Labour Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma : FOR
Conservative Cities of London and Westminster MP Mark Field : FOR
Conservative Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP Nick Hurd : FOR
AGAINST
Labour Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury : AGAINST
Labour Brent Central MP Dawn Butler : AGAINST
Labour Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell : AGAINST
Labour Ealing North MP Stephen Pound : AGAINST
ABSTAINED
Labour Brent North MP Barry Gardiner : DID NOT VOTE
Labour Westminster North MP Karen Buck : DID NOT VOTE
