Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry blasts latest Parliamentary voting system as 'unworkable' as fellow MPs vote to scrap the remote voting arrangements today amid concerns over social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic
The MP for Inverness has spoken how parliamentary voting descended into a shambles today as his fellow politicians voted against continuing the so-called "hybrid parliament" – where they have been able to vote remotely via the internet during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Speaking to the Inverness Courier, Drew Hendry said: "The Tory government decision to replace the virtual Parliament with this conga line Parliament proved unworkable today, as voting descended into a shambles.
"Staff at the House of Commons are having to watch back the video to ensure votes are allocated correctly. You seriously could not make it up.
"Today, a single division by 427 MPs took nearly an hour – and by taking place physically, the vote disenfranchised many voters with their MP unable to attend in person.
"This isn't just a public health scandal but an attack on democracy. Many MPs, through no choice of their own, have found themselves locked out of Parliament as quarantine and self-isolation requirements continue.
"As long as the Tories continue with this farce, SNP MPs will need to balance protecting public health and Scotland's democratic voice by sending the minimum number of MPs required to hold the UK government to account.
"In addition to voting today to try and stop the Tories plans to scrap the hybrid Parliament, I will also be attending the debate on the Parliamentary Constituency Bill – which, if passed in its current form, will have consequences for Highland representation. Tomorrow I will also be leading for the SNP on the Corporate Insolvency Bill due to be debated.
"My colleagues and I will continue to work on cross-party efforts for full virtual participation to be restored and urge the Tories to put an end to this madness."
Proceedings have been carried out remotely via video link with relatively few MPs and ministers required in the chamber over recent weeks due to the coronavirus lockdown.
However it was ordered that MPs should return today by the leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, despite social-distancing concerns rising from how crowded the chamber usually is.
Mr Rees-Mogg believed the move was in line with the government's ambition to move to phase two of lockdown relaxation – which ministers hoped would see some children back in school yesterday.
He said hybrid parliamentary proceedings did not provide sufficient scrutiny of policy matters.
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