By KUNA,
London : British ministers are making last-ditch efforts Wednesday to persuade rebel Labour MPs to back them in the crunch vote over extending the terror detention limit to 42 days.
Downing Street said it looks “very close” and a new compensation deal is being offered for suspects held but then not charged.
The main opposition Conservative Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said opponents have won the argument, even if they do not win the vote due this evening.
The Conservatives, smaller opposition Liberal Democrats and about 30 Labour MPs oppose the 42-day extension.
The result is expected to be so close that it might hinge on how the nine Northern Ireland pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs vote.
To defeat the government, some 33 Labour MPs need to rebel, assuming all other MPs, including those of the DUP, also vote against it.
Prime Minister Gordon Browns official spokesman said the Premier was in “robust spirits” and holding meetings with MPs today in order to “maximise parliamentary support”.
“The Prime Minister’s sole focus in this matter is winning the vote”, he added.
Labour MP Frank Dobson, one of the most prominent backbenchers opposed to the detention plan, said many Labour MPs would vote in favour of the measures out of “loyalty to the party and the government”, but he expected about 30 to rebel.
“This is a quite fundamental issue. We have the right not to be locked up for a long time without charge since the year 1215”, he said.
The Prime Minister, who has a working majority of 65 in the House of Commons, has made it clear that he does not regard the vote as a matter of confidence in his premiership.
But a defeat would add to the pressure on him as he seeks to regain momentum after recent difficulties, poor polls and elections results, commentators said.