Newport MP Paul Flynn joined rebels against plans for ID cards last night in the first major rebuff to Tony Blair since the General Election.
He was one of 20 Labour MPs to vote against the government's ID Cards Bill despite last-minute concessions which failed to head off the rebellion.
Mr Flynn, MP for Newport West, joined Monmouth's new Tory MP, David Davies in the voting lobbies against the government which was supported by Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, and Paul Murphy, MP for Torfaen and former Welsh Secretary.
The Identity Cards Bill secured a second reading by 314 votes to 283, after the government saw its majority cut from 67 to 31.
The government's task was eased when Home Secretary Charles Clarke reassured the Commons about the likely costs to citizens.
Dismissing the "fantastic" price tags which some analysts have put on the cards, Mr Clarke told MPs he would set a cap on the cost to individuals.
He also suggested he could reduce the charge for the less well off.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article