There is a tradition when dealing with matters of conscience that MPs are not whipped and this is particularly true when it comes to human embryos.  When the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was considered by Parliament the (then) government allowed free votes on all matters up until the final vote.

The joint committee on the draft Human Tissues and Embryos bill recommended that this approach be adopted for questions over embryology and the role of fathers, but the Brown government has said that free votes will only be allowed on abortion.

This decision suggests that there is no room for conscience and conscientious objection in our politics.  If the government is genuinely concerned about voter apathy and alienation it should demonstrate that British politics caters for conscience and conscientious objection through free votes.

(You can read Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's Pastoral Message about this bill and also see the document published by the the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales by clicking here > The Cardinal's Mesage )

So, what can YOU do about it?

Well the least you could do is to add your name digitally to the e-petition which has been set-up by Phil Craig.   The actual wording of the petition is "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow free votes on the embryology and fathers components of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill when considered by the House of Commons."

To make it easy for you, just click on this link - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/embryovote

Further to this, to spread the news about this important e-petition, click on the E-mail link below and then all you will have to do is add the addresses of the people you wish to send it to.

The deadline for recording your name on the e-petition is 13th May 2008.  But don't leave until then - register your protest NOW!

And please pray too!