Plan to extend 50-MP limit in the Commons chamber ‘would cost £280,000 for just eight extra seats’ due to problems fitting microphones Parliamentary officials have been desperately hunting ways to extend capacity Politicians complain debates are sterile and ministers not being properly tested PHE said only solution was for MPs to wear masks and do … Read more
She cut a lonely but soignée figure as she entered the chamber yesterday. Immaculately cut red suit. Perfect hair. She’d even taken the trouble to co-ordinate her face mask with her chic leopard-skin heels. Our former prime minister Theresa May. Has there ever been a leader more perfectly encapsulated by the word ‘enigmatic’? Those hard, … Read more
MPs back Rule of Six in Commons vote with just 17 politicians opposing it despite widespread Tory fury at coronavirus law they fear will ‘do more harm than good’ The Covid-19 regulations were passed by 287 votes to 17 a majority of 270 Rules are already in force, with the motion simply offering a retrospective … Read more
An SNP MP who flouted coronavirus self-isolation rules by travelling hundreds of miles across Britain to attend the Commons while ill with Covid-19 was branded ‘completely reckless’ today as she faced a police investigation. Scotland Yard confirmed it was looking into Margaret Ferrier’s admission last night that she travelled 400 miles from Glasgow to London … Read more
‘Ground Control to first officer Bob Blackman’: Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle can’t resist repeatedly poking fun at Harrow East Tory MP and his pilot-like headset during Parliamentary appearances Bob Blackman has contributed to Parliament virtually since lockdown in March His headset and microphone have led Speaker to jokingly refer to him as a pilot … Read more
The controversial Internal Markets bill has passed its first two House of Commons hurdles this evening as the Labour bid to get it thrown out failed – despite fears over it breaking international law and tearing up parts of the Brexit deal. The ayes in favour of the Opposition’s amendment amounted to 213 votes, compared … Read more
Former Commons speaker John Bercow has made more than £500,000 since leaving his Parliamentary position Mr Bercow’s company, called Fedhead Limited, made £547,664, records show The company owed £181,171, including tax and social security of £157,647 Bercow signed up with JLA Speaker Bureau whose speakers can often earn £25k By Joe Middleton For Mailonline Published: … Read more
Whenever there’s a session of International Trade questions, the chamber takes on a whisky sour flavour. Getting through the whole hour usually requires popping a couple of antacids down the gullet. The reasons for this bitter atmosphere are twofold. The first is that opposition MPs spend most of their time goading the Government’s post-Brexit trade … Read more
House of Commons returns from summer break but limit of 50 MPs in the chamber stays due to two-metre rule – amid claims the only way of fitting more would be for them to wear masks and give speeches sitting down MPs have been returning to the House of Commons after the summer break Rule … Read more
Get off Zoom and get back to the House of Commons, ministers urge MPs in an effort to show an example to Britons to return to the office MPs have been holding Ministers to account via Zoom video calls from homes Commons Chamber is restricted to only about 50 people with social-distancing Sources say bid to … Read more