text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill - Abolish the offense of Blasphemy - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  The majority of MPs voted to retain the offence of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy blasphemy] and blasphemous libel in British law.
  
  They did this by voting against inserting a new clause into the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, which said:
  
  :The offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel are abolished.[1]
  
  During the debate it was asserted that all votes in this issue are free for members of the Conservative Party.[2]
  
  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2005-02-07a.1228.2 Evan Harris MP], House of Commons, 7 February 2005
  * [2] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2005-02-07a.1201.3#g1211.4 Dominic Grieve MP], House of Commons, 7 February 2005
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  