Voting by Proxy (Amendment and Extension)

Questions whether it might be better to allow a longer period of time before making further decisions on the proxy voting scheme.

Supports the proposal, emphasising that society is changing and calls for modern workplace practices, including accommodating special conditions for those who are disabled or taking parental leave.

Thanked the Leader of the House for moving the motion and praised the work done by the Committee on this issue. She expressed support for extending proxy voting to Members suffering from long-term illness or injury, citing recommendations from the report which received an overwhelming balance of evidence in favour of such a move. Debbonaire also highlighted the supportive role of Whips Offices during times of personal challenges and emphasised that Parliament should be at the forefront of rights at work and accessibility. She supported the decoupling of proxy voting from restrictions on participating in other parliamentary proceedings, noting the importance of 'keeping-in-touch days'. Additionally, she raised questions about maintaining privacy for Members, the practical details of how the scheme might operate, potential thresholds for eligibility based on illness severity, the possibility of extending the pilot if not used, and how the pilot will be assessed.

Thanked the Leader of the House for initiating the debate on proxy voting and emphasised its importance. She highlighted the history of proxy voting, particularly during baby leave and illness due to the pandemic. Karen expressed concern about confidentiality and transparency while supporting the motion proposed by the Government. She also discussed the eligibility criteria for the scheme and the need for a flexible review timeframe.

The SNP supports extending proxy voting to include serious long-term illness or injury, as well as childbirth complications. The current scheme was introduced for maternity leave and caring responsibilities but should be expanded. Constituents should not face disenfranchisement due to the MP's medical condition or caring duties. Pairing is inadequate in such cases; proxy voting offers a more democratic solution. The report suggests that Members advised by their doctor to take long-term absences should retain access to represent constituents through proxy voting.

Supports the motion for extending proxy voting, considering it necessary for modern ways of working. The roles and responsibilities of an MP are vast but non-discretionary tasks such as voting should be facilitated through proxy voting when MPs are unable to attend physically due to illness or other circumstances. Emphasises the importance of making parliamentary processes more efficient and inclusive, including maternity and paternity leave provisions. Advocates for electronic voting as a modern means of voting.

This place is broken and exclusive; it must enact reforms to benefit constituents disadvantaged by their MP's inability to vote on their behalf. The speaker did not choose to fall ill or have life-saving surgery, but faced difficulties due to lack of procedures at Westminster. This debate aims to set a tone for society that enables those with disabilities and promotes inclusivity. Voting by proxy should be seen as an example of good practice for all workplaces, ensuring that people's voices are never silenced. The speaker thanks the former Leader of the House, new Leader of the House, Chair of the Procedure Committee, and Mr Speaker for their support and engagement on this issue.

Mr Grady echoed the hon. Member's views, praising her speech and emphasising that proxy voting improves accessibility for Members who face challenges in attending due to personal circumstances such as childcare or health issues. He also suggested exploring remote voting systems further.

Ms Ferrier supported the motion, emphasising that proxy votes should be granted based on medical fit notes after a period of seven days. She also raised concerns about independent Members' ability to pair through the Whips system.

Welcomed the debate and thanked Committees for their recommendations. Supported the implementation of a pilot scheme offering greater assistance to Members with serious long-term illness or injury. Emphasised maintaining confidentiality through the nodding through and pairing process by the Whips' Offices, and indicated that Mr Speaker would publish updated guidance. Highlighted the need for discretion in assessing threshold of injury or illness. Acknowledged previous pilot schemes used as a basis for assessment. Stressed the importance of continuous progress towards making the House more modern.