Proceedings during the Pandemic — 2 Jun 2020 at 15:36

A majority of MPs voted to end the procedure enabling MPs to vote remotely, online, which had been introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to require members to be physically present on the Parliamentary estate to vote. The majority of MPs also voted to empower the Speaker to limit the number of Members present in the Chamber at any one time

A majority of MPs supported the following motion^[1] in this vote:

• That the resolution of the House of 21 April (Proceedings during the pandemic) be rescinded and the following orders be made and have effect until 7 July 2020:
• (1) That the following order have effect in place of Standing Order No. 38 (Procedure on divisions):
• (a) If the opinion of the Speaker or the chair as to the decision on a question is challenged, the Speaker or the chair shall declare that a division shall be held.
• (b) Divisions shall be conducted under arrangements made by the Speaker provided that:
• (i) Members may only participate physically within the Parliamentary estate; and
• (ii) the arrangements adhere to the guidance issued by Public Health England.
• (2) Standing Order No. 40 (Division unnecessarily claimed) shall not apply.
• (3) In Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions):
• (a) At the end of paragraph (5)(a), insert “, provided that (i) Members may only participate physically within the Parliamentary estate; and (ii) the arrangements adhere to the guidance issued by Public Health England”.
• (b) In paragraph (5)(b) delete “two and a half hours” and insert “at least two and a half hours”.
• (c) In paragraph (5)(c) delete “after the expiry of the period mentioned in subparagraph (b) above”.
• (4) The Speaker or chair may limit the number of Members present in the Chamber at any one time and Standing Orders Nos. 7 (Seats not to be taken before prayers) and 8 (Seats secured at prayers) shall not apply.
• (5) Standing Orders Nos. 83J to 83X (Certification according to territorial application etc) shall not apply.

This vote was held under a process whereby Members stated their names and said “Aye” or “No” at the relevant Dispatch Box. This process was used for the first time in this division due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Some MPs may not have felt taking part in this vote was safe. See a mySociety blog post on "Parliamentary votes during COVID-19" showing which MPs could vote using which method at different times during the pandemic.

• [1] House of Commons, Official Record, 2 June 2020
• [2] House of Commons, Official Record, 2 June 2020

Debate in Parliament |