Restoration of online democracy and equal rights for MPs

Early day motion 726, tabled 14 July 2020 by Geraint Davies (Labour). Signed by 66 members.

That this House believes that the decision to discontinue the ability of elected MPs to participate remotely in parliamentary debates, bill committees and by electronic voting is unlawful and discriminatory because it means that up to 250 elected MPs, who are clinically shielded to protect themselves or their families from coronavirus, are no longer able to participate in these activities; further believes that the House of Commons is not empowered to remove the source of its own legitimacy and that the vote to do so was illegal as it excluded the elected MPs affected; calls for the restoration of the democratic rights of all elected MPs who are shielding, and of the constituencies and 15.5 million voters that they represent, to fully participate and for the resumption of virtual arrangements previously in place that continue in the House of Lords, the Senedd and Holyrood; and calls on the Leader of the House of Commons to reinstate the motion allowing online inclusion for shielded elected MPs in all debates and votes, including those on the legal and democratic rights of those elected MPs most affected by the removal of hybrid arrangements; further calls for the resumption of elected MPs’ equal right to work in all aspects of their job, without unreasonable risk to their personal safety, by using the technology available and for the full restoration, without delay, of the democratic legitimacy of our Parliament.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Scottish National Party 18, Liberal Democrat 8, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1.