Parliament’s socially distanced voting system may just fall apart

Parliament is back. However, its inhabitants are having to adjust to a new way of doing things. While MPs are supposed to be on the estate and are no longer able to intervene in debates remotely, only 50 MPs may occupy the Chamber at any one time and they cannot vote in the traditional manner as the voting lobbies are not deemed Covid-secure. In place of this, the proposal that’s been put forward is for a socially distanced, kilometre-long queue through parliament each time there is a vote. MPs are then to file past the left side of the despatch box table to vote Aye, and to the right side to vote No.

The proposals have led to complaints from both opposition and Conservative MPs. At present, there is no accommodation for MPs who need to shield themselves – under the government’s proposals they simply would not get a vote.