The leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced he wanted MPs to return to the Commons within weeks to set an example for the rest of the nation.
The Commons Leader said on Wednesday that he did not want “hybrid” arrangements, which have seen many MPs dial into Commons debates through webcam, to continue beyond June 2.
Mr Rees-Mogg called on all MPs to “set an example of how we move back gradually to a fully-functioning country again” by returning after the Whitsun recess.
However, his remakes were quickly challenged by Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the Commons: “My priority and the priority of all, I’m sure, is to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated.
“Nothing in the leader’s announcement changes the rules around social distancing in and around the chamber and throughout the parliamentary estate. The only changes on the guidance can come from Public Health England, I think we are all agreed on that.
“I may suspend sittings between items of business to allow members to enter and exit the chamber. I am also quite prepared to suspend a sitting if I believe that the safe number of honourable members in the chamber risks being exceeded.”
Sir Lindsay also said he would suspend Commons debates if MPs broke social distancing rules.
Mr Rees-Mogg believes it is much needed for Parliament to get fully back to work, he said: “it is essential that we move back to physical ways of working as quickly as possible“.
He said: “It is clear that soon parliament must set an example of how we move back gradually to a fully functioning country again. Our constituents would expect nothing less,
“So while we must move in step with public health guidance, it is vital that when we are asking other people to work and go to their places of work if they cannot do so from home we should not be the ones who are exempt from that.
“Indeed, we should be leading by example.”
Rees-Mogg, speaking after Hoyle’s statement, said: “It is obviously important that this house maintains social distancing in accordance with the guidelines.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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