SPEAKER of the House of Commons John Bercow has called for progressive change after a Labour MP was forced to postpone the birth of her child to vote on the crucial Brexit bill today.
Labour MP Tulip Siddiq postponed having her caesarean section until Thursday so that she could cast her vote.
Labour colleague Harriet Harman raised the issue in an urgent question, with Bercow calling the situation "lamentable" and issuing a strong rebuke to "reactionary forces" who have delayed discussions on proxy voting.
Under proposals, MPs could have votes cast on their behalf.
Bercow said: “It really is time in pursuit of the expressed will of this House that reactionary forces are overcome and if people want to express their position let them not do it murkily behind the scenes, let them have the character to say upfront that they oppose progressive change and I hope that we can get progressive change, and what better opportunity to do so than before our historic vote.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel