In a paper published last week, the Institute for Government (IfG) calls on Parliamentarians to use video links and speaking lists to continue work in the chamber and select committees. Proxy voting, which is already available to MPs on parental leave, should be expanded to reduce the need to travel to Westminster, it says.
The paper, ‘How could a virtual parliament work?’, also suggests that the government negotiate with opposition parties to re-establish the Liaison Committee or create a body similar to New Zealand’s Epidemic Response Committee to scrutinise the government’s response to COVID-19. The Liaison Committee is made up of all the select committee chairs and holds regular evidence sessions with the Prime Minister.
The government also needs to look into methods for digital voting, as used in other legislatures, as a matter of urgency, the thinktank says.
The paper calls on the government to legislate only where necessary during the pandemic.
Parliament rose a week early for its Easter break, on 25 March, and is due to return on 21 April. While MPs have been practising social distancing by sitting two metres away from each other on the benches, they are required to physically walk through division lobbies to register their votes.
Hannah White, the IfG’s deputy director and author of the report, said: ‘At this time of national crisis, parliament is central to ensuring that government continues to function and maintains public trust. Parliament must innovate to ensure it can continue operating―and be seen to do so―while protecting the health of MPs, peers and staff. That should include exploring options for the introduction of digital voting.’
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