There was insufficient time at Report Stage of the Children and Young Persons Bill (8 October) for a cross-party amendment on equal protection for children to be debated and voted on.
Should there have been a vote, large numbers of MPs - from all parties - were expected to vote for change.
Though the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were prepared to allow their MPs to vote according to conscience, the Government continued to deny a free vote to Labour MPs.
The campaign continues...