Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Virtual Participation in Debate

19 November 2020 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Karen Bradley Con Staffordshire Moorlands

Parliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Karen Bradley raised concerns about virtual participation in debate in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Karen Bradley spoke on behalf of the Procedure Committee regarding virtual participation in debates.
  • The committee recommended extending virtual participation for members unable to attend physically.
  • The Minister criticised the Government's reluctance to act swiftly on this issue.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Karen Bradley

Karen Bradley, speaking on behalf of the Procedure Committee, discussed the report advocating for virtual participation in debates for Members unable to attend physically due to the pandemic. She criticised the Leader of the House's reluctance to schedule a debate and expressed disappointment at the Government's failure to move swiftly on this matter despite evidence from right hon. and hon. Members across parties. The committee recommended extending virtual participation to all members who cannot participate in person. Bradley argued that the current situation, where the Prime Minister can virtually answer questions but MPs are excluded, is farcical. She urged for strategic changes rather than tactical fixes to ensure all Members can represent their constituents effectively.

Other contributors (11)
  • Harriet Harman Lab Camden North

    Question

    Harriet Harman thanked Karen Bradley for her statement, expressing full agreement with it. She highlighted that 62% of MPs are currently excluded from debates due to proxy votes, and the figure is even higher at 78% for Scottish MPs. She urged the Government to allow all Members to speak in debates on equal terms.

    Minister reply

    Karen Bradley thanked Harriet Harman for her comments and acknowledged that around one quarter of Members are participating virtually in scrutiny proceedings due to pandemic restrictions. By March, this would have been nearly 12 months of exclusion from debate participation, which is unacceptable. She urged the Government to provide a chance for debate on this matter.

  • Andrea Leadsom Con South Northamptonshire

    Question

    Andrea Leadsom agreed with Karen Bradley and highlighted the need for more normality in Parliament so that MPs can fully hold the government accountable. She expressed concern over the current superficial sense of participation despite being able to ballot for everything.

    Minister reply

    Karen Bradley thanked Andrea Leadsom, acknowledging her past experience as Leader of the House. She reiterated the Committee's position on extending virtual debate participation and urged the Government to give time for a debate to allow the House to express its views.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Question

    I am my wife’s carer. If I have to self-isolate after catching the virus in London, it is a difficult choice between my constituents and my wife. The current situation is extremely dangerous and corrosive to democracy.

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman is right about how our democracy is portrayed. We introduced hybrid proceedings as an example for global participation but acknowledge differences in ability between virtual participants and those present. However, we should not preclude virtual participation from all proceedings.

  • Nigel Mills

    Question

    Should the balance be towards allowing maximum Members to participate rather than limiting debates?

    Minister reply

    I agree with my hon. Friend's view and contribution to the report; we should aim for full participation of all Members.

  • Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend

    Question

    Paragraph 33 of the report states that capacity exists but no request has been made for Standing Order changes. Does the right hon. Lady agree that these orders should be changed to allow full participation and exclude interventions?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman makes important points about the need for this provision to include Members who cannot attend due to health concerns, citing capacity evidence.

  • Laura Farris

    Question

    Would it be sensible to have a system where Members self-isolating can verify their status via a doctor’s note to participate remotely?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend raises valid points about pregnant women and health conditions; the Leader of the House should consider allowing remote participation as advised by the Government for other workplaces.

  • Angela Eagle Lab Wallasey

    Question

    Does the right hon. Lady agree that the current situation has created two classes of MPs and that the perfect should not get in the way of good, especially during a pandemic?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Lady makes valid points about the temporary nature of these measures and the need for full participation until at least March, after which normal procedures can resume.

  • James Sunderland

    Question

    Does my right hon. Friend urge the Government to consider that this is only a temporary measure and we must return to a fully operating Chamber as soon as possible?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend's view aligns with the Committee’s aim for full normalcy when possible, but current measures are necessary until the pandemic subsides.

  • Tommy Sheppard

    Question

    Why does the Leader of the House remain firm in his conviction that Members must be physically present to work?

    Minister reply

    I cannot answer for my right hon. Friend, but I hope he listens to the point that the House wants to have its say on this matter.

  • Valerie Vaz Lab Walsall and Bloxwich

    Question

    I place on record my thanks to the Chair of the Procedure Committee for their work. I also thank the Broadcasting Unit for being superb in supporting virtual Parliament contributions, noting that we are world leaders in this area. Paragraphs 28, 33, and 58 of the report highlight improvements in resilience, infrastructure readiness, and equality among Members' eligibility. The Procedure Committee Chair mentions Mr Speaker reporting by 14 December, and Valerie Vaz asks if there is any way to ensure that all colleagues can participate in upcoming debates on important legislation, including EU-related measures.

    Minister reply

    Karen Bradley acknowledges the praise for world-leading virtual Parliament contributions but notes that while we developed these facilities quickly, others have also adopted them. She pays tribute to Martyn Atkins for his significant work and confirms that if Government does not provide time for a debate, she will seek ways through the Backbench Business Committee to give the House an opportunity to discuss these matters.

Shadow Comment

Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman thanked Karen Bradley and fully agreed with her statement, emphasising the need for all MPs to be able to participate in debates whether virtually or physically. She highlighted that 62% of MPs are excluded from debates due to proxy votes, with this figure reaching 78% for Scottish MPs. Harman called on Bradley to support an amendment by Baron and Bryant to override the Leader of the House's motion.

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