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CORONAVIRUS - York MP says conditions in the House of Commons are dangerous
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Published by David Dunning at 5:15pm 2nd June 2020.
The MP for York Central says opposition MPs will have to challenge the government over social distancing in the House of Commons.
MPs have been voting on whether to end online voting and return to Westminster.
For several weeks, they've been able to join debates by video link.
The government claims it's no longer necessary as we're past the peak of the virus.
Rachael Maskell says conditions in the house are dangerous.
LISTEN - Rachael Maskell on Minster FM:
The hybrid proceedings enabled MPs to participate in questions and debates, while also ensuring that they and the staff of the House of Commons were kept safe.
Ms Maskell said:
However at Government insistence, and in breach of their own advice to work at home wherever possible, Parliament has been recalled.
Since being in Parliament she says she has noted a number of breaches of safety processes and will be raising these with the House authorities.
She has already made a submission to the Procedures Committee about her concerns of Parliament having to sit in Westminster when virtual proceedings were working so well.
"When around a third of MPs cannot attend Parliament, and when hybrid proceeding of combining virtual proceeding and proceedings in the House of Commons was working perfectly well, it is ridiculous that the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees Mogg has forced MPs back to London.
He reinforces his elitist views of Parliament, that you cannot speak for the nation unless you do so from this nineteenth century palace.
It is time that Parliament sought to be as inclusive and modernised.
Many older MPs and those with underlying health conditions are now denied a voice and a vote.
I have concerns that I will be exposed to greater risk of infection and while taking every precaution possible could spread the virus to others.
Covid-19, is an invisible killer, it is as dangerous and potent as ever.
We must all do everything possible to protect each other from infection spread, and this includes remaining at home wherever possible.
My fear now is that we could be on the cusp of a second wave of infection, causing more tragic loss of life. Parliament should be setting the example, not risking others.”
The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has assured MPs his "priority" was...
"to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated".
He said nothing in the government's announcement...
"changes the position on social distancing in and around the chamber and throughout the parliamentary estate".
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