MPs queue in pens as Jacob Rees-Mogg forces return to Commons

The government dramatically saw off a revolt over ditching virtual voting tonight as the Commons descended in chaos as hundreds of MPs conducted a mile-long ‘conga’ through Parliament’s estate to vote.

Amid extraordinary scenes, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his officials were left repeatedly shouting instructions at MPs as social distancing measures required them to join a queue, keep two metres apart, walk through the Commons chamber and announce their vote.

The queue stretched for several hundred metres, snaking through Westminster Hall and into an underground passageway to MPs’ offices in Portcullis House, and took 44 minutes to pass through the voting lobbies.

The controversial vote came as the Government dropped procedures which allowed MPs to vote online and speak remotely via Zoom, instead saying they would have to attend the Commons.

But the decision caused fury across all parties, with MPs with children or staying home for health conditions incensed by the new scheme, with one jibing that unlike wealthy Mr Rees-Mogg ‘not all of us have live-in nannies’.

Before the key vote, Conservative Karen Bradley, chair of the Procedure Committee, moved an amendment to keep remote voting in place in the coming weeks.

While the division list showed 31 Conservative MPs rebelled to support her proposal, it was defeated by a majority of 57 votes (185 to 242) following a 46-minute division.

MPs later approved the Government’s motion to only allow them to vote in person by 261 votes to 163, majority 98.

After Ms Bradley’s amendment to the Government’s motion was pushed to a vote, Sir Lindsay said the queuing system would continue as it is the ‘only method that is compatible’ with Government-set requirements and those from Public Health England.

Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Commons this afternoon the ‘halfway’ arrangements could not continue. ‘What was unacceptable for a few short weeks would have proved unsustainable if we had allowed the hybrid proceedings to continue,’ he said. ‘Voting while enjoying a sunny walk or whilst watching television do democracy an injustice.’

However, he added he would table a motion on Wednesday which would enable MPs unable to attend Parliament on medical grounds to take part in certain proceedings, including questions, urgent questions and ministerial statements.

SNP MP Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) and Labour’s Ian Mearns (Gateshead) were among those to vote while wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

The Commons dress code requires male MPs to wear a suit, although this is not as strict during votes.

Some Conservatives appeared confused by the queueing arrangements, with some attempting to exit the chamber via the wrong door, and others facing Speaker Sir Lindsay’s scorn for not ‘keeping up’.

The voting procedures, which were visibly poorly maintained, have received condemnation from MPs with health conditions and vulnerable family members. Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson said she was being made to ‘put my husband who’s on immuno-suppressants at greater risk’.

The independent equality watchdog added its voice to the condemnation this afternoon, saying those shielding were being ‘disadvantaged’. 

The bruising spat came as:  

• Health chiefs across Britain today announced 164 more coronavirus deaths – while separate promising data showed the weekly death toll in England and Wales has dropped to its lowest levels since the lockdown began; 
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are more likely to die from the disease, a government review has confirmed; 
• The government‘s daily coronavirus briefings are being ditched at weekends with No10 saying viewing figures are lower; 
• The Government believes the two-metre social distancing rule should remain in place, Number 10 has said;  
• Ministers are facing a backlash over plans for 14-day quarantine for all UK arrivals, amid a push for air bridges to be introduced to low infection countries. 

Before the voting kicked off, Sir Lindsay said the House had the power to decide its own rules. ‘My sympathy is with those shielding or of a certain age who cannot attend the House,’ he said. 

One Tory MP told MailOnline that forcing MPs to Westminster with little legislation to consider during lockdown will leave them isolated and might mean they drink alone in offices. 

A motion on changing the procedures was voted on this afternoon using temporary measures brought in by Sir Lindsay. 

It saw a socially-distanced queue stretching for nearly a mile around the estate, rather than using the usual rammed division lobbies.

Many MPs appeared completely bewildered by the new arrangements, with some needing to be directed by the Clerks and Sir Lindsay. Others inadvertently said they were voting the wrong way and had to be corrected.

Tory MP Mark Francois jokingly gave his name as ‘Ed Balls’.

Mr Rees-Mogg announced last month that the Government was pushing ahead with plans for a physical-only Commons after the Whitsun recess. 

The motion today prevents the resumption of virtual voting that allowed MPs to have their say from afar during the pandemic.

Mr Rees-Mogg argued that democracy would ‘once again flourish’, having been ‘curtailed under the hybrid halfway house’ which allowed MPs to take part in debates and vote remotely while up to 50 were in the chamber.

He insisted that the Government is working to establish how shielding MPs could continue to take part. However, sources confirmed it will be to contribute to debates rather than vote, and will rely on finding a solutions that is ‘technologically possible’.

The proposal have faced fierce criticism – with the Electoral Reform Society warning it poses a ‘real threat for democratic representation and political equality’ if extremely vulnerable MPs are unable to vote.

An amendment tabled by Karen Bradley, chair of the Prodedure Commit, would have retained remote voting.

Former minister Robert Halfon, who is in the shielding category, said the proposals were ‘absolutely not right and democratically unjust’. He has complained that those unable to attend will be turned into ‘parliamentary eunuchs’. 

Labour MP Luke Pollard was even more blunt, posting a video saying the plans were ‘a bit sh**’. 

Shadow leader of the Commons Valerie Vaz warned Mr Rees-Mogg’s ‘discriminatory proposals’ would result in ‘two classes of MPs’.

‘Those who can physically attend and those unable to owing to the Government’s own rules, including having an underlying health condition or shielding responsibilities.’

Tories claim Labour has been refusing to ‘pair’ large numbers of MPs because it believes it has a chance of defeating the government this afternoon. In a sign of desperation, Whips have reportedly been telling Conservative MPs that they should not cave in to pressure from people who want to stop Brexit. 

One senior Tory MP warned that forcing people to attend Parliament even if there is not much business could result in a rise in drinking.

The MP said: ‘If people are stuck up in their offices all afternoon before an evening vote, it’s a hot day and the windows are open. ”Ooh, we’ll crack open a bottle of Sauvignon. Oh, that slipped down rather well, we’ll have another one.”

‘There could be one or two scenes.’ 

Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: ‘Parliament resembles Alton Towers queueing system this morning. Can’t way to have a go on the Nemesis.’ 

Sir Lindsay has said votes today will be conducted by filing past the left side of the despatch box table to vote Aye, and to the right side to vote No. They will pause at the despatch box to state their name and voting intention.

Votes on subsequent days will be carried out under the arrangements agreed by MPs.

Senior Tories have complained that Sir Lindsay was ‘more keen than we were’ to resume physical voting, and initially regarded hybrid voting as ‘impossible’, but changed his stance after taking soundings from MPs. 

Sir Lindsay said it was ‘clear’ that the House cannot conduct divisions safely via the usual voting lobbies, as it would be ‘difficult to maintain social distancing’.

MPs will be asked to only attend the chamber when they are listed to be called to speak during a particular proceeding.

In a statement, Sir Lindsay said: ‘While we will return to fully physical proceedings in the House tomorrow – they will not be the same as before.

‘Ideally, I would have liked the Government and Opposition to have reached agreement on how we should conduct our proceedings and voting procedures – unfortunately this has not been forthcoming.

‘As remote voting has lapsed and Public Health England have deemed our Division lobbies unsafe, I have had to devise a temporary way forward to break the deadlock – because the House must be able to have its say.

‘It is not perfect, it will take time, and Members will need to be patient. But, it is the safest method I can think of to enable Members and supporting staff to maintain social distancing.

‘However, I still remain hopeful that colleagues will agree on a method of participation that enables all Members to take part, especially those who are shielding, vulnerable or have caring responsibilities.’