The 10-Minute Rule Bill, brought by Dominic Raab MP (Conservative, Esher & Walton), was ultimately defeated, but there are hopes that the proposals will resurface later on in the lifetime of the Parliament.
The Bill read: "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit strike action in the emergency and transport service sectors unless a majority of employees in the unionised workforce has voted in favour of such action; to make procedural provision in relation to balloting for industrial action; and for connected purposes."
Speaking after the vote, Steve said: "As my colleague Dominic Raab said when introducing this Bill, it is born out of a desire to give legitimacy to genuine industrial action in this country and protect taxpayers and businesses. It was for that reason I supported his proposals and I was sorry to see them defeated by Labour MPs who turned out in force to please their union colleagues as expected. I will now be working with colleagues to see the spirit of this legislation comes back to the House, with Government support I hope, in the future."