Dunne disenfranchised by new House of Commons voting system
South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has criticised the return to voting only in person in the House of Commons, while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing.
Mr Dunne, who is currently shielding on NHS advice due to a longstanding medical condition, said the move would deprive some MPs of from being able to represent their constituents fully at a critical time for the country.
MPs yesterday voted against an amendment which would have allowed continuation of some virtual proceedings by 242 to 185, and voted to resume physical voting by 261 to 163.
Mr Dunne said: “Thanks to the introduction of the virtual Parliament, I have been able to vote, take part in debates and ask questions in the House, including asking the Prime Minister a question in PMQs last month.
"Although this system has very significant drawbacks compared with normal conduct of business, it has allowed Parliament to function.
"I completely understand why the Government wants MPs to return to work - as the country returns to the physical workplace, so too should Parliament. I also accept that physical presence is required to ensure the legislative programme can proceed through Parliament, for example so MPs can conduct committee stages of Bills which is hard to do online.
"But unfortunately the Government has decided to scrap remote voting for those unable to attend in person. I did not vote for this, when it was put to MPs in a motion before we rose for the Whitsun recess. For those who have symptoms or are shielding, this requirement to vote in person while we are still confronting the COVID crisis, is disenfranchising many MPs.
"This week I could not both return to the House of Commons and observe NHS advice to shield, so have been formally paired with an Opposition MP. I was therefore not able to vote yesterday against my own disenfranchisement. I have made my view on this crystal clear to the Whips.”
Select Committees are continuing to meet virtually, and Mr Dunne will continue to chair the Environmental Audit Committee, which meets virtually this Thursday and will be broadcast on Parliament TV as it considers the scope for increasing energy generation from Offshore Wind.
