I’m really concerned by talk of shutting down parliament over Covid-19.
Throughout history parliament has been *recalled* at times of crisis, not the opposite.
But there are sensible mitigation actions we could take, such as 👇
Throughout history parliament has been *recalled* at times of crisis, not the opposite.
But there are sensible mitigation actions we could take, such as 👇
- Stop visitors, MP’s limited to one staff member onsite, limit contact between Lords and Commons and possibly even suspend the Lords due to the higher number of people at risk.
- Stop MPs official travel
- Stop MPs official travel
- MPs in high-risk groups can work from home and be allowed to submit questions to be answered by ministers in the Commons in their absence.
- select committee witnesses to give evidence by video link
- Only MPs intending to speak go into chamber
- select committee witnesses to give evidence by video link
- Only MPs intending to speak go into chamber
It would be inexplicable to public sector workers, people working in government departments and anyone in large workplaces if parliament were to shutdown while they work on.
And while parliament and our institutions are under attack shutting down during a crisis would fuel their future assaults arguing its irrelevance.
Finally, is we shut the likely impact would be to shut the economy down too as every company follows suit.
Finally, is we shut the likely impact would be to shut the economy down too as every company follows suit.
