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A growing chorus of Conservative MPs is demanding a recall of parliament to discuss yesterday's lockdown announcements.
They are right. Such major decisions need parliamentary scrutiny. Indeed government has promised as much.
But there are two problems. https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mps-vote-coronavirus-lockdown-measures
They are right. Such major decisions need parliamentary scrutiny. Indeed government has promised as much.
But there are two problems. https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mps-vote-coronavirus-lockdown-measures
The first big problem is that only ministers can recall parliament, so can block MPs' request.
This is plainly absurd, given government is accountable to parliament.
There have long been calls for reform, as Meg Russell & @DanielGover discussed here: https://constitution-unit.com/2019/07/23/pressures-to-recall-parliament-over-brexit-during-the-summer-seem-likely-what-if-they-occur/
This is plainly absurd, given government is accountable to parliament.
There have long been calls for reform, as Meg Russell & @DanielGover discussed here: https://constitution-unit.com/2019/07/23/pressures-to-recall-parliament-over-brexit-during-the-summer-seem-likely-what-if-they-occur/
The second problem is that with parliament in tier 4, travel and gatherings are ill-advised.
In theory MPs could participate & vote virtually. But this has been consistently blocked by... the government.
Despite warnings, there are no contingency plans. https://twitter.com/Brigid_Fowler/status/1340359405527773186?s=19
In theory MPs could participate & vote virtually. But this has been consistently blocked by... the government.
Despite warnings, there are no contingency plans. https://twitter.com/Brigid_Fowler/status/1340359405527773186?s=19
For over 6 months there's been a running battle between @CommonsLeader @Jacob_Rees_Mogg & MPs over reinstating virtual proceedings.
The chamber's own (Conservative-led) @CommonsProcCom has repeatedly called for change.
Its latest report is here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/126/procedure-committee/news/132731/procedure-committee-calls-on-government-to-listen-to-mps-and-extend-virtual-participation-effectively/
The chamber's own (Conservative-led) @CommonsProcCom has repeatedly called for change.
Its latest report is here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/126/procedure-committee/news/132731/procedure-committee-calls-on-government-to-listen-to-mps-and-extend-virtual-participation-effectively/
Both of these problems illustrate a fundamental: that the government has too much control over how the Commons runs, and MPs have too little.
In January we will publish a report on exactly this.
Meanwhile parliament can still be recalled, if ministers choose to do so.
In January we will publish a report on exactly this.
Meanwhile parliament can still be recalled, if ministers choose to do so.
For the record, here are some Conservative of the MPs calling for a recall.
The most high-profile intervention is from @Mark_J_Harper and @SteveBakerHW in the Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9070877/amp/MPs-demand-parliament-recalled-vote-cancelling-Christmas.html?__twitter_impression=true
The most high-profile intervention is from @Mark_J_Harper and @SteveBakerHW in the Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9070877/amp/MPs-demand-parliament-recalled-vote-cancelling-Christmas.html?__twitter_impression=true
There's also this for example from @RobertSyms: https://twitter.com/RobertSyms/status/1340334438996164609?s=19
And @AdamAfriyie.
These are just some examples - there are others. The government is clearly under significant political pressure. But the fact that MPs cannot #recallparliament without ministerial approval is fundamentally problematic. https://twitter.com/AdamAfriyie/status/1340443187874304000?s=19
These are just some examples - there are others. The government is clearly under significant political pressure. But the fact that MPs cannot #recallparliament without ministerial approval is fundamentally problematic. https://twitter.com/AdamAfriyie/status/1340443187874304000?s=19
There's further useful analysis on recall and Covid from @RuthFox01 of the @HansardSociety here: https://twitter.com/RuthFox01/status/1340376556670230530?s=19
Here @William_Wragg, Conservative chair of @CommonsPACAC (Public Administration & Constitutional Affairs Committee), in joining the demands for recall, usefully reproduces the Commons standing order. https://twitter.com/William_Wragg/status/1340424643002462208?s=19
