Grant joined the SDP to immediately become embroiled in internal party conflict over the Tebbit Bill. Although a majority of SDP MPs thought that the party should vote in favor of the second reading of the Tebbit Bill to emphasize the party's distance from Labour and the Trades Union Congress and then offer its own amendments. Grant, along with several other newcomers to the SDP, objected to the bill which he thought would damage industrial relations and would diminish the party's appeal to trade unionists. Grant rebelled against the party whip and led four other MPs into the 'no' Lobby. Although this had no lasting impact on Grant's standing in or relations with other members of the party, it did hurt public perceptions of the SDP's unity.