The British Parliament has dropped its plans to increase Sunday shopping hours after they were rejected by MPs.
The House of Commons voted 317 to 266 to oppose proposals that would allow local councils to extend opening hours.
Government Ministers hoped to limit the rebellion of 27 Tory MPs by promising to trial the changes in 12 areas of the country, but said after the vote that they would respect the MPs’ views.
“Critics of the plans said they would ‘chip away’ at Sunday’s special status and put undue pressure on workers.”
The government had hoped to relax existing restrictions on Sunday trading, which limit large shops to opening for a maximum of six hours. But their plans were thwarted by an unlikely alliance of the Labour Party and others.
The fight for Sunday closing laws continues as the European Sunday Alliance unites Catholic organizations, labour unions, government participants and others for the protection of Sunday. These attempts at Sunday closing laws will eventually lead to Sunday worship laws and anti-Sabbath laws.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.” Revelation 13:8.