✨NEW BLOG✨
@DanielGover & @james_lisak review the development of the hybrid Commons during 2020 - arguing that remote voting must now be restored, & that these events reveal the problems of government control over the Commons agenda
Summary 🧵👇 1/8
constitution-unit.com/2021/01/17/the…
@DanielGover & @james_lisak review the development of the hybrid Commons during 2020 - arguing that remote voting must now be restored, & that these events reveal the problems of government control over the Commons agenda
Summary 🧵👇 1/8
constitution-unit.com/2021/01/17/the…
Last spring, the Commons adapted quickly to the challenges of the pandemic. Hybrid arrangements for select committees & Commons debates, & online remote voting, were all in place by mid-May - a major achievement by Commons staff.
2/8
2/8
But in May the government simply allowed those arrangements to lapse, despite anger from opposition & backbench MPs.
It would take until 30/12 - when the government wanted MPs to debate its Brexit deal legislation - for full virtual participation in debates to be restored.
3/8
It would take until 30/12 - when the government wanted MPs to debate its Brexit deal legislation - for full virtual participation in debates to be restored.
3/8
MPs & @CommonsProcCom called repeatedly for the extension of virtual participation during this period. But the govt ignored their calls
Some key debates which did take place were scheduled (by govt) in ways that probably affected the outcome. E.g. 👇
4/8
Some key debates which did take place were scheduled (by govt) in ways that probably affected the outcome. E.g. 👇
4/8
https://twitter.com/RuthFox01/status/1331285576549535745
As a result, some MPs were excluded from debates on bills & motions for more than half of last year - their & their constituents’ voices were lost.
This was a clear violation of a core parliamentary principle: that all members should be able to participate.
5/8
This was a clear violation of a core parliamentary principle: that all members should be able to participate.
5/8
Meanwhile, remote online voting still hasn’t been restored - again, despite calls from MPs & @CommonsProcCom
Instead, the proxy voting system has been massively expanded - to 572/650 MPs by 30/12. Whips hold 90%+ of those votes.
6/8
Instead, the proxy voting system has been massively expanded - to 572/650 MPs by 30/12. Whips hold 90%+ of those votes.
6/8
How did this happen? The Commons agenda is heavily controlled by the government - the govt can often simply prevent MPs from debating things.
There were various points last year where the hybrid Commons might have developed differently, had MPs been more able to act.
7/8
There were various points last year where the hybrid Commons might have developed differently, had MPs been more able to act.
7/8
Giving MPs a say on restoring remote voting is an immediate priority
But these events also demonstrate the problems of govt agenda control - something the Commons should now revisit
For more on this topic, look out for a major new @ConUnit_UCL report, launching Tuesday 👀
8/8
But these events also demonstrate the problems of govt agenda control - something the Commons should now revisit
For more on this topic, look out for a major new @ConUnit_UCL report, launching Tuesday 👀
8/8
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
