An attempt by a Bradford MP to make it law for all halal and kosher meat to be clearly labelled, allowing shoppers to have freedom of choice, has been thrown out.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said people had a right to know what they were eating and a change in the law would benefit everyone. He said: “My Bill would benefit those people who want to make sure their meat is kosher or halal before purchasing it, just as much as those who want to make sure it isn’t kosher or halal.”

But Manchester Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman opposed the Bill, forcing MPs to vote, on grounds Mr Davies was singling out two minorities. He said he would not have opposed the Bill if it had a wider scope, including labels on any chicken being sold that had been kept in “dreadful conditions”.

MPs voted by 73 against Mr Davies’ Bill and 70 in favour.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 24 April 2012

Postscript:  The following Labour MPs voted for Davies’ bill: Graham Allen, Ronnie Campbell, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mary Glindon, Kate Hoey, Steve Rotheram, Derek Twigg. Lib Dems voting in favour included Simon Hughes and the MP for Bradford East, David Ward (who reacted to George Galloway’s Bradford West victory by claiming that white voters had “washed their hands” of the election).