Britain’s MPs would end up debating with each other via video link after the Easter recess under plans put forward by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, in order to allow continued scrutiny of the government during the pandemic.
Parliament has been shut down from March 25 until at least April 21 to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, with citizens urged to work from home and all pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops forced to close.
But with growing expectations that the current lockdown might continue for much longer, Sir Lindsay suggested that the House of Commons should operate “virtually” if the UK is still in the grip of Covid-19 after that date.
Select committees — groups of MPs which grill experts on topical issues — have been meeting online in a trial over recent weeks. Sir Lindsay said that pilot had been successful and could be extended to the entire Commons chamber.
Any such decision, however, lies in the hands of Boris Johnson’s government.
In a letter to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, the Speaker said he had asked officials to investigate how they could use “similar technology” to replicate the chamber online.
In the letter he asked if Mr Rees-Mogg would “make representations to government” to enable the Commons to legislate and scrutinise in order to continue representing their constituents.
Sir Lindsay said “numerous” MPs had asked him how parliamentary scrutiny could continue for the duration of the pandemic.
“Once the House returns, if we are still in the grip of the crisis where the physical presence of members, or too many members, in the Palace [of Westminster] is not appropriate, I am keen that they should be able to participate in key parliamentary proceedings virtually, for example, oral questions, urgent questions, statements,” he said.
In the meantime, the Speaker also asked if the government could set up a forum of MPs, such as select committee chairs, who could quiz senior ministers and officials on how it was handling the crisis.
“MPs are being swamped right now with questions and case work from distressed constituents who need answers,” he said. “Responses cannot wait for the House to sit again.”
The news came just hours after 100 opposition MPs signed an open letter calling for the creation of a digital parliament.
In the letter to the clerk of the House of Commons, the MPs said: “It is clear that Westminster is not a safe working environment and cannot be made so whilst including a representative number of MPs.”
The cabinet met for the first time entirely by video link on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Welsh Assembly met remotely earlier on Wednesday with a “virtual plenary” but curbs were placed on how many assembly members could attend.
