Jeremy Corbyn has said he is still going into Parliament despite being 70 and despite the building being largely empty for the extended Easter break.
Even before recess for the most part MPs have been working from home – with even the cabinet switching to the zoom video calling app rather than risk meeting in person.
But the Labour leader says he is still travelling into Westminster – despite the dangers of Covid-19.
Asked how he is adapting to working from home by the BBC’s Jeremy Vine, Mr Corbyn replied: “I’m actually in my office in Parliament at the present time and it is a very strange building because there’s s hardly anybody here and everybody’s practising social distancing.”
Mr Corbyn explained that he was continuing to go in because “parliament must be able to operate in some form”.
He has already faced criticism for continuing to attend Prime Minister’s Questions in person when the majority of the country is trying to work from home where possible.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
But Mr Corbyn said he is supporting measures to increase virtual working, adding: “I have had discussions with the speaker – as indeed have other party leaders – on how we hold the government to account because coronavirus should not be an excuse for closing down democracy.
“There has to be a way of using Parliament maybe in a different way so we’ve looked at different forms of voting we’ve looked at online accountability we’ve looked at conference calls.
He explained: “All of us are getting very good at video conference calling and, indeed, I spent most of yesterday on video conference calling with the Shadow Cabinet ,with the parliamentary Labour Party, and many other people so it is actually possible to communicate a great deal.”
Mr Corbyn, who stands down as Labour leader this week, has said he vows to keep going as a campaigner and as the MP for Islington North.
